Senior Program Officer, Assessments, Digitally-Enabled Teaching and Learning

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation•Washington, DC

1d•$209,100 - $324,100

About The Position

The Senior Program Officer primarily manages a portfolio of investments in digitally enabled teaching and learning, including courseware, assessments, AI innovations, course supports, professional development, and community building, with an emphasis on summative assessments. The role advances the Digitally-Enabled Teaching and Learning team’s strategy to improve student success in college gateway courses and reduce demographic success gaps, while supporting faculty and academic communities. The officer manages grants and contracts, conducts market analyses, oversees efficacy and implementation research, and builds partnerships across higher education, edtech, AI, and research. The role also serves as the team’s primary resource on summative assessments, helping colleagues and partners adopt effective technologies and produce actionable evidence. The position is preferred to be based in Seattle, Washington, or Washington, D.C.; in some instances, remote work from a U.S. state may be considered. Relocation assistance is available for candidates outside commuting distance of either office.

Requirements

Advanced degree or equivalent demonstrated experience; a STEM field or postsecondary education is preferred, and academic experience is ideal.
Deep knowledge of the assessment landscape, including modern assessment pedagogies intended to increase learning and success and reduce equity gaps.
Familiarity with modern assessment technologies, including computer-based testing facilities, academic integrity technologies, and AI auto-graders.
Experience developing, scaling, or evaluating digital education products, such as assessments, courseware, or AI-enabled platforms.
Deep familiarity with traditional higher education markets and STEM faculty and student needs, and knowledge of new higher education approaches and models.
Significant experience designing and managing grant or investment portfolios, including market analyses and efficacy and implementation research.
Significant experience building and advising partnerships with edtech companies, universities, and research institutions.
Demonstrated hands-on, organized, execution-oriented work style, including research, end-user engagement, and event facilitation.
Proficiency with AI and productivity tools.
Unrestricted work authorization in the country where the position is located; the foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Academic experience.
An advanced degree or equivalent experience in a STEM field or postsecondary education.
Experience with growth-oriented assessments, community-designed standardized exams, highly randomized exams, AI-based adaptive exams, or exam analysis and improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a portfolio of grants and contracts across digitally enabled teaching and learning, with an emphasis on assessments, and collaborate on co-investments with officers and division colleagues.
Serve as the team’s primary resource on summative assessments by tracking innovations in assessment design, pedagogy, and technology; participating in foundation events and task forces; providing team updates; and advising colleagues on assessment-related work.
Conduct market analyses to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in college-level teaching and learning.
Design and oversee efficacy and implementation research to produce actionable evidence and guide courseware and other product designs.
Build and advise partnerships with AI innovators, edtech developers, open-source communities, faculty, administrators, and research institutions.
Help guide higher education toward effective technology adoption and greater collaboration within and across institutions, while supporting important human and cultural roles in education.
Conduct literature reviews, gather input from faculty and students, draft syntheses, and help plan convenings.
Execute work methodically and use AI tools to improve efficiency and quality.
Assist partners with grant proposals, review proposals from team members, provide concise funding recommendations, and represent the foundation at external convenings and conferences.
Communicate clearly and concisely, contribute to a collegial team culture, prioritize collective success, and model equitable and inclusive behaviors.