In this role, you will strategically develop and manage a portfolio of innovation investments focused on the development of models, practices and tools that have the potential to shift the labor force trajectory of low income students, putting them on a path to upwardly mobile jobs.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Manage all aspects of portfolio life cycle, including pre-development (making new investments), development (managing multi-year investments), and post development (dissemination, scale and disposition of investments in portfolio)
- Contribute to the design of new strategies, cross cutting data initiatives with focus on scaling, collaborations and implementation plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
- Directly or indirectly leads a team to develop, manage and implement project strategies.
- Negotiate, execute, and manage complex portfolio of grants or performance-based contracts. Review letters of inquiry and grant proposals and provide clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding.
- Consult with grantees and other partners to maximize impact of projects and ensure grants are meeting strategy goals. This may include: site visits, providing operational guidance and convening meetings of key stakeholders.
- Develop, manage, resource, and implement a program that aligns with foundation strategy and is operationally integrated with other foundation programs. Contribute to the design of new strategies, collaborations and implementation plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
- Represent the foundation to key program-related external constituencies, as appropriate, on committees related to area of expertise and responsibilities of the position.
- Responsible for high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with grantees and partners in the field. Represent the foundation as a thought leader in the education innovation community through active strategic relationship development, speaking, and engaging in industry activities
- Solicit and review letters of inquiry and grant proposals. Provide clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding including drafting and editing proposal summaries and progress reports for existing grants for review by Foundation leadership.
- Manage internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting.
- Work on complex matters or unique issues of scaling and spreading education reform policy & practices to strategic locations. Analyzing situations that require evaluation of intangibles including contextual influences and consequences that are beyond the immediate problem or issue at hand. Exercising independent judgment in developing methods, techniques and evaluating criteria for obtaining results. Recognizing when a situation requires the attention of management/leadership. Seek and consider multiple points of view and opinions before making decisions.
- Serve as point of contact on portfolio-related issues for key stakeholders. Represent the Foundation with stakeholders; grantees, other funders, universities, think tanks, and government agencies. May serve on boards & working groups.
- Represent the Foundation to key external stakeholders; grantees, other funders, universities, think tanks, policymakers, governmental agencies, software developers and vendors. This interaction could include presenting the Foundations views on particular strategies, providing technical assistance to policymakers or governmental agencies, or bringing together disparate entities to see if a coalition can be formed.
Educational Background:
Advanced degree with 7+ years of experience, or equivalent experience.
Skills/Experience:
Core Knowledge & Skills
- Strong working knowledge of the education sector from Federal to State to District level and deep knowledge of STEM career pathways and K12/Post-secondary workforce development models
- Knowledge of best practices for supporting and designing high quality learning environments.
- Recognized internally and externally by the education community as a subject matter expert.
- Proven ability to lead and influence others in a constructive manner and to build and sustain collaborative relationships.
- Critical thinking & problem-solving skills are paramount
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
- Strong quantitative analytical skills
- Strong program management and strategic thinking skills.
- Prioritize and manage large amounts of information relevant to the work.
- Ability to manage diverse teams.
Experience
- Experience in K-12 and/or higher education.
Additional Information:
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Nov 29 2017
Active Until:
Dec 29 2017
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit