[Hiring] Senior Strategy Officer, Division Communications @Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Role Description

As Senior Officer, USP Division Communications, you will be responsible for defining and delivering a cogent, compassionate internal communications strategy that informs, inspires, and cultivates strategic alignment among USP employees. This strategy will underscore USP’s core mission, priorities, and values, while guiding the organization through its trajectory toward closure in 2045.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Strategy, Planning, & Management, you will partner closely with the USP President, OOP Director of Strategy, Planning & Management / Chief of Staff, and other members of the US Leadership Team (USLT). You will build and implement the crucial internal communications capabilities required for an effective organization.

This role will be located in Seattle, WA with remote option.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive internal communications strategy that connects staff to USP’s mission, priorities, and values including targeted universalism.
• Advise USLT on when and how to directly communicate to enhance authenticity, compassion, and effectiveness, and review and edit talking points for high-impact moments (such as all-staffs).
• Define and steward cohesive, inspiring internal stories that reinforce optimism, trust, and alignment with the foundation’s mission, priorities, and values through diverse voices.
• Be responsible for the narrative around the strategy leading up to 2045, including administering surveys and holding office hours to understand and respond to staff sentiment around the change.
• Build internal channels and master calendar to enable communications that are dynamic, inclusive, and adaptable to employees’ needs.
• Ensure coherence between internal and external narratives by collaborating with external and foundation-wide internal communications teams.
• Analyze an annual USP employee survey and integrate other sources of organizational insight to measure and enhance communication effectiveness, continuously adapting approaches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5-10 years of dynamically responsible experience in strategic communications, operations, or related fields (or equivalent combination of experience).
• Proven ability to lead communications strategies that drive organizational transformation, cultural alignment, and employee engagement, especially during periods of uncertainty.
• Proven leadership in internal communications, including high-stakes executive messaging and leading people, programs, or external partners in complex organizations.
• Expertise in executive voice development and crafting clear, inspiring, and actionable narratives that translate complex strategies and change processes and build trust and resilience.
• Outstanding storytelling ability, with shown experience highlighting impact, articulating values, and building connection across teams, with the ability to adapt tone and style for diverse audiences.
• Adept at synthesizing and interpreting complex information (including political/geopolitical dynamics) to inform decision-making, mitigate risk, and shape engagement strategies.
• Strength in project and program management, with the ability to design, implement, and oversee sophisticated, cross-functional initiatives.
• High emotional intelligence, integrity, and cultural sensitivity required to lead and partner effectively across diverse cultural and professional settings.
• Deep commitment to the foundation’s mission and values, bringing a high level of accountability and discretion in handling sensitive or high-stakes work, and applying a targeted universalism lens.

Requirements

• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid family leave.
• Foundation-paid retirement contribution.
• Regional holidays.
• Opportunities to engage in several employee communities.

Salary Information

The salary range for this role is $190,100 - 324,100 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $209,100 to $324,100 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you have a disability or medical condition and need an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process—such as an ASL interpreter, alternative interview format, or physical accessibility support—we’re happy to help. Please contact [email protected] with the position number and a brief description of your accommodation needs. Requests will be handled confidentially.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices. All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.