Program Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity on a global scale. Founded with the mission that everyone, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. The foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager role is integral to the Finance organization at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which collaborates with various teams to ensure that the foundation's resources are invested wisely and effectively to serve those in need. The Program Manager will oversee product work streams from the initial ideation phase through to the implementation of solutions. This position requires a strong focus on root cause analysis and business analysis, as well as the design and delivery of technology and business process solutions. The Program Manager will be responsible for managing product requests, conducting detailed analyses of business problems, and defining requirements for system and process improvements. The role also involves acting as the voice of the customer, ensuring that the needs of stakeholders are met throughout the product development lifecycle, and contributing to change management activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will have a variety of core responsibilities, including managing the intake and backlog for product requests, performing detailed analyses of business problems and customer needs, and defining requirements for appropriate solutions. The role involves eliciting, analyzing, validating, and managing customer needs using user-centered design principles. The Program Manager will also contribute to content development for implementation and change management activities, build positive relationships with customer and partner groups, and support an inclusive culture within the organization. Additionally, the Program Manager will compare actual performance with planned performance, analyze trends for program improvements, and drive the implementation of ongoing enhancements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, along with at least 5 years of experience in product development. They should have a solid understanding of change management and implementation activities, as well as the ability to identify inefficiencies in business processes. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with experience using tools like Excel for data analysis and presentation. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in business process design frameworks such as Lean Six Sigma and Agile methodology, as well as familiarity with Salesforce and Power BI.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree is required for this position, with a preference for candidates who have additional certifications or training in product development or business process design frameworks. Relevant coursework or experience that demonstrates a strong foundation in analytical skills and problem-solving techniques will be beneficial.

Experience:
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience in product development, with a proven track record of managing products from ideation through to testing and implementation. Experience in change management and the ability to lead requirement management activities are also critical for this role. Candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of business processes and the ability to identify and implement efficient solutions.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely required given the location and nature of the organization. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly those that reflect the diverse populations served by the foundation.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Seattle, Washington, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is between $140,200 and $210,200, with adjustments made for high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C. New hires typically start within the range minimum and midpoint, depending on their skills and experience. The foundation emphasizes a mission-driven approach to compensation, balancing competitive pay with its overarching goals. The hiring process will include a background check, and accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application process.