The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamThe Philanthropic Partnerships team (PPT) works to mobilize resources and build the next generation of champions for global health and development (GH&D), ensuring that philanthropy helps the worldโs most vulnerable children survive and thrive.
Our strategy is designed to close the gap between intent and action, ensuring philanthropy supports lasting change. We engage with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI), corporate and private foundations, philanthropic collaboratives, advisors, family offices, and social impact investorsโwhile also strengthening the broader philanthropic ecosystem. Key programs include: The Giving Pledge, Gates Philanthropy Partners, Proponent Labs, and initiatives that enhance the infrastructure for GH&D giving.
Over the next five years, our work will focus on mobilizing resources for priorities of GH&D and the foundation, including: expanding our approaches and partnerships to unlock more capital; growing our work across global regions; and cultivating the next generation of GH&D championsโwhile continuing to strengthen philanthropic ecosystems and reinforce the foundationโs leadership in global giving.
Your Role
The Senior Program Officer, Policy and Sector Engagement will lead the Philanthropic Partnershipโs Teamโs efforts to strengthen the U.S. philanthropic sector as a strategic lever to increase giving, particularly toward global health and development. In this role you will help shape the infrastructure, systems, and policies that influence donor behavior and philanthropic flows. You will manage grant portfolios devoted to key sector relationships, public policy, and giving campaigns. Externally, the Senior Officer will represent the foundationโs interests with key philanthropic associations, advocacy coalitions, and sector influencers. You will build and maintain relationships with the most influential actors in U.S. philanthropyโassociations, policy advocates, data intermediaries, and peer funders. Internally, you will serve as a SME and resource on philanthropy strategy and trends.
As part of the application process, please include a short cover letter (just a few paragraphs) sharing how your professional and/or lived experience connects with the Philanthropic Partnerships Teamโs work and the foundationโs values. Weโre not looking for perfection or buzzwords โ weโre looking for purpose, authenticity and alignment. We know that you are more than a list of jobs. Tell us why this work matters to you, and how your perspective can contribute to our mission.
This role is located in our Washington, DC office. Applications will be accepted until 12 PM Noon, Pacific Time on September 22, 2025.
*Applicants for this role will only be considered if they are able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
What You'll Do
Grantmaking & Strategy Execution
Develop and manage grant portfolios that support the vitality of the U.S. philanthropic sector, with a focus on philanthropic infrastructure, philanthropic policy, and giving campaigns
Track impact and learnings from grantee efforts and outcomes, adapting strategy accordingly, and sharing lessons learned
Sector Engagement & Influence
Build and maintain relationships with key philanthropic associations, advocacy organizations, and peer infrastructure funders
Leverage relationships and networks to influence the broader field and represent the foundationโs interests on issues that affect charitable giving
Represent the foundation at major philanthropic conferences and coalitions, serving as a trusted peer and thought partner
Internal Leadership & Influence
Serve as an internal expert and advisor on philanthropy, providing consultation to teams across the foundation on field dynamics, policy risks, and best practices
Contribute to shaping the foundationโs positioning on issues related to philanthropy, charitable giving, and sector resilience
Policy & Advocacy Strategy
Collaborate with internal policy colleagues and external advocacy partners to monitor charitable giving legislation, tax policy, and sector regulation
Manage relationships with key philanthropic sector organizations to ensure the foundation is represented in policy analysis efforts
Coordinate with the foundationโs U.S. policy and legal teams to align advocacy approaches with sector priorities
Ability to travel domestically up to 25โ30%
Your ExperienceMinimum of 7+ years of professional experience
Bachelorโs degree or equivalent professional experience
Experience in philanthropic infrastructure, public affairs, advocacy, or a related field, with significant exposure to U.S. sector dynamics
Deep knowledge of trends in charitable giving, philanthropic infrastructure, and sector debates, with an ability to serve as a credible funder and voice on these issues
Proven ability to work across institutional boundaries and build trusted relationships with peers, partners, and sector leaders
Strong communicator with experience representing complex institutions or strategies in high-profile or high-stakes environments
Experience managing grant portfolios or working in a funder collaborative strongly preferred
Familiarity with policy and legal frameworks affecting U.S. philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, including U.S. private foundation restrictions on lobbying and electioneering activities
Exposure to global health and development issues preferred but not required
*Applicants for this role will only be considered if they are able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
The salary range for this role is $186,400 to $288,800 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle, WA and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $203,100 to $314,900 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 candidateโs job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
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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
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.
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 โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ 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.