Senior Communications Officer, Creative Partnerships (Limited Term Role)

Gates Foundation•Seattle, DC

37d

About The Position

The Foundation is 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, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Communications Division, led by the Chief Communications Officer, oversees the foundation’s global communications strategy. The division brings together internal and external communications to advance the foundation’s mission to create a more equitable world. The foundation launched Goalkeepers in 2017 to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are 17 global goals world leaders agreed to at the United Nations to make the world a better place. These ambitious goals include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality and clean water and sanitation for all. Through its annual data report, campaigns, global events, digital and traditional media outreach, champion building and storytelling, the Goalkeepers platform and its community help inform, inspire and empower people around the world to advance the Global Goals. Learn more about Goalkeepers here: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/goalkeepers/ Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026 As Senior Communications Officer, Creative Partnerships, you will lead the sourcing, negotiation, and execution of creative and cultural partnerships that advance the foundation's advocacy, storytelling, and audience engagement goals globally. Success in this role will be measured by the successful development and execution of partnership agreements, including grants, contracts, and other partnership structures that result in tangible commitments from external partners. The ideal candidate brings an established network across media, entertainment, and creative industries and can quickly activate that network to source, structure, and deliver partnerships. This position requires strong business development instincts, financial acumen, and experience navigating partnership agreements, budgets, and legal considerations. The role will work closely with internal stakeholders across Communications, Global Policy & Advocacy, Goalkeepers, Regional Offices, Legal, Finance, and Program teams to identify opportunities, structure partnerships, and ensure successful implementation. This is a limited-term position through December 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred.
Significant experience in partnership development, media, entertainment, communications, business development, or related fields.
Demonstrated track record of securing and executing complex partnerships with media organizations, entertainment companies, creators, publishers, streaming platforms, or cultural institutions.
Experience negotiating and managing grants, contracts, sponsorships, licensing agreements, content partnerships, or similar partnership structures.
Strong understanding of partnership financing, budget development, incentive structures, and financial planning associated with creative and media partnerships.
Established network of senior leaders across media, entertainment, publishing, streaming, production, creator, and cultural sectors, with demonstrated ability to activate those relationships to support organizational goals.
Experience navigating legal, financial, procurement, and reputational considerations associated with high-profile partnerships.
Proven ability to move partnership opportunities from concept to signed agreement and successful execution.
Entrepreneurial and results-oriented mindset with a demonstrated ability to originate opportunities, secure commitments, and deliver successful partnership outcomes.
Must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where this position is located. The Foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. This includes direct company sponsorship and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (eg: H-1B, O-1, L-1, E, OPT, STEM-OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.).

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a robust pipeline of creative, media, entertainment, and cultural partnerships, sourcing, cultivating, negotiating, and securing opportunities that advance foundation priorities and audience engagement objectives.
Deliver executed partnership agreements, including grants, contracts, and other partnership structures that result in measurable partner commitments and audience impact.
Partner with internal stakeholders across Communications, Advocacy, Programs, and Regional Offices to identify, fund, develop, and execute strategic partnerships that advance foundation priorities.
Assess partnership opportunities for strategic value, audience reach, financial feasibility, reputational considerations, and alignment with foundation goals.
Leverage an established network of media, entertainment, and cultural leaders to source and accelerate partnership opportunities.
Serve as the primary relationship manager for key creative and media partners, developing and overseeing partnerships that generate original content, storytelling initiatives, productions, and audience engagement opportunities that advance foundation priorities.
Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Procurement, and Communications teams to structure partnership agreements, budgets, funding mechanisms, and financial models that ensure successful execution and accountability.
Advise foundation leaders and stakeholders on emerging opportunities across media, entertainment, culture, and storytelling that can be translated into actionable partnerships.
Monitor partnership performance, budgets, deliverables, and outcomes to ensure accountability and impact.