Senior Program Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life, the foundation emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, and opportunities for community engagement. The foundation is committed to fostering a supportive work environment that promotes both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Manager (SPM) will play a crucial role in providing strategic and operational support to the Vaccines & Biologics and Global Health Discovery Collaboratory domains. This position is essential for the effective execution of complex, high-priority product development programs that align with the foundation's global health priorities. The SPM will ensure that product development teams and stakeholders receive the necessary support to make informed decisions based on scientific data. This role involves managing cross-functional alignment, tracking program progress, coordinating strategic initiatives, and ensuring efficient portfolio processes. The SPM will build strong relationships with academic and industry partners, understand their needs, and ensure the successful execution of the Discovery & Translational Sciences (DTS) goals. Additionally, the SPM will lead initiatives to gather feedback and implement improvements, particularly in the context of emerging technologies such as GenAI and LLM.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting the D&TS leadership in strategic planning, execution, and operational management.
• Developing frameworks for evaluating opportunities and optimizing portfolio investments.
• Monitoring and tracking product development progress to ensure alignment with global health objectives.
• Maintaining a dashboard for portfolio progress and key decision points.
• Providing analytic and research support to facilitate data-driven decision-making.
• Identifying gaps in execution and recommending solutions to improve collaboration and efficiency.
• Implementing operational best practices, including the use of GenAI and LLM to automate workflows.
• Leading budget management, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, and operational planning for large-scale investments.
• Building relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate alignment and collaboration. 1
• Organizing and facilitating cross-functional team meetings and discussions. 1
• Acting as a trusted advisor to D&TS leadership, providing insights for decision-making. 1
• Developing and maintaining strategy and portfolio review materials for leadership meetings. 1
• Creating and managing content for internal communications and training materials. 1
• Supporting knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance cross-team learning and collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree (MPH, MBA, MS, or equivalent) in business administration, public health, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, or a related field. A PhD or MD is desirable, and PMP Certification is preferred. Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in program/project management, business operations, or execution planning. Experience managing complex product development programs and cross-functional teams is essential, along with high emotional intelligence, active listening skills, and collaborative problem-solving abilities. Candidates should demonstrate a proven ability to drive strategic initiatives, process improvement, and operational excellence, as well as strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and resource planning.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, business administration, life sciences, or pharmaceuticals. A PhD or MD is considered an asset. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of program/project management principles and practices, as well as familiarity with the complexities of product development in the health sector.

Experience:
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in program or project management, particularly in business operations or execution planning. Experience in managing complex product development programs and working with cross-functional teams is crucial. Candidates should also have a track record of effectively collaborating with other program managers and stakeholders to achieve strategic goals.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the work and the international context of the foundation's operations. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in languages relevant to the regions served by the foundation.

Additional Notes:
This position may require up to 10% domestic and international travel for meetings, conferences, and convenings. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is between $190,100 to $294,700 USD, with higher ranges for positions based in Seattle and Washington D.C. The foundation strives to balance competitive pay with its mission, and new hire salaries typically fall between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range, depending on the candidate's skills and experience. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.