Deputy Director, Strategy, Planning and Management - Gender Equality

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation•Seattle, WA

7d•$238,400 - $406,400

About The Position

The Deputy Director, Strategy, Planning and Management (DDSPM) leads strategic, financial, and operational functions across the Gender Equality Division’s Data & Technology Adoption (DATA) and Adolescent Learning & Women Leaders (ALAWL) teams. The role advises both teams’ Directors and Leadership Teams, connects strategy to day-to-day operations, and guides portfolio-, initiative-, and investment-level decisions. It is a newly scoped opportunity to build shared strategic and operational approaches across two complementary teams. The DDSPM leads strategy development and measurement, annual planning and budgeting, pipeline and portfolio management, business analysis, and coordination of business strategies across the Foundation. The role leads annual strategic planning and reporting cycles, prepares materials for Executive Leadership Team and senior leadership meetings, and contributes to Foundation-wide strategy and improvement efforts. It works closely with peers across the Gender Equality Division, regional country offices, program strategy teams, and the Foundation Strategy Office. The position also leads Strategy, Planning, and Management staff, including full-time and contingent workers, and partners with HR and team leadership on recruitment, development, workforce planning, culture, and effectiveness. The role is anticipated to include up to 20% domestic and international travel. Employment is contingent on successfully completing a background check.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience in business strategy, development, or general management.
Expertise in strategy development, implementation, and performance management systems.
Strong systems thinking and problem-solving skills, including strategic planning and communicating complex frameworks.
Demonstrated success in highly matrixed organizations, building alignment across diverse partners and delivering results through influence rather than formal authority.
Leadership and coaching experience, including managing teams to deliver ambitious goals.
Strong project management skills and a track record of leading high-profile, cross-functional workstreams.
Ability to create clarity, enable informed decision-making, and manage resource trade-offs.
Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, including the ability to navigate multiple perspectives and mobilize people across teams.
Ability to move between critical thinking and hands-on execution.
Proactive and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to anticipate challenges and drive work forward with limited direction.
Cultural competence and experience working across diverse, multicultural settings.
Clear and compelling communication skills, including translating strategic priorities into action.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.
Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience at a top-tier consulting firm or in senior roles at large international organizations.
Knowledge or experience in global health data systems, AI and digital connectivity, research methods, economic evaluation, and/or norms and culture user insights.
In-country experience and/or grant-making experience.
Familiarity with South Asia, East Africa, West Africa, and/or international development.

Responsibilities

Work with team leadership to define and articulate strategy and investment priorities.
Serve as a core Leadership Team member, help develop an effective leadership culture, address cross-cutting strategic questions, and advise on data-driven investment decisions.
Develop team and BOW goals, track performance, and identify risks and strategic trade-offs.
Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and strategic questions, and develop recommendations for leadership.
Lead content development for chair-, CEO-, and President-level strategy meetings, learning sessions, and other materials in collaboration with the Director and program staff.
Lead annual strategy reviews and planning, including articulating priorities and trade-offs and developing execution plans.
Lead and influence complex initiatives across teams, functions, regions, and leadership levels, often without formal authority.
Partner with program managers and business teams on annual planning, priorities, lessons learned, trade-offs, and budget allocation aligned with strategic goals.
Drive integrated business planning across strategy, organizational priorities, talent, operations, and resource management.
Partner with FP&A, Grants & Contract Services, and Legal to manage investment pipelines and track spending against both teams’ annual budgets.
Manage investment idea generation, ensure alignment with strategy, and work with program officers to provide leadership with decision-making information.
Advise on the development of major grants and other cross-cutting programmatic work.
Navigate operational issues involving areas such as legal, financial planning, and human resources.
Build and manage internal and external partnerships, address conflicts, and build consensus.
Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Directors on strategy, priorities, leadership engagement, team management and culture, and cross-Foundation partnerships.
Independently identify issues, propose solutions, and drive action on behalf of the Leadership Team.
Facilitate Leadership Team meetings and in-person gatherings.
Support relationships with peer DDSPMs, the Foundation Strategy Office, and collaborating teams.
Lead Strategy, Planning, and Management staff, including full-time and contingent workers.
Partner with HR and leadership to recruit, develop, and train staff as needed.
Promote team culture, values, and effectiveness, including regular team health checks.
Support workforce planning and advance annual culture priorities and DEI objectives.
Support a ‘one foundation approach,’ including collaboration with regional country offices and related program strategy teams.
Participate in the DDSPM community and contribute to processes, policies, and strategic projects that improve Foundation efficiency and impact.
Represent the team in division-wide and Foundation-wide continuous improvement efforts, including design, implementation, and change management.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve business processes, decision-making, and operational effectiveness through AI, automation, digital tools, and new ways of working.