In this role, you will strategically develop and manage a portfolio of experimental investments focused on the development and discovery of new knowledge, models, practices and tools that have the potential to dramatically improve specific student learning and life outcomes in the United States and globally, requiring high-level grant management skills, monitoring, and evaluation.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Define specific learning challenges that could be solved through directed, agile multi-disciplinary R&D projects, in consultation with a wide array of field based experts and practitioners; develop portfolio strategy to drive knowledge and solution development and testing, through a range of mechanisms including challenge programs.
- Cultivate an active ecosystem of researchers, entrepreneurial product developers, and innovative education leaders and practitioners to ensure strong feedback loops between innovative teachers and school leaders and the research & development community
- Allocate portfolio resources effectively in service of accelerating progress towards portfolio objectives. Negotiate, execute, conduct and manage complex, performance-based contracts/grants.
- 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.
- Solely, or (in) directly lead a team to develop, manage and implement project strategies.
- 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.
- Consult and provide thought partnership with grantees and partners to maximize impact of projects and ensure optimal learning. This may include preparation for Program Officer & leadership site visits, development of materials, and convening meetings of key stakeholders.
- Manage internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting.
- 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.
Educational Background:
Advanced degree with 7+ years of experience, or equivalent experience.
Skills/Experience:
Knowledge:
- Strong working knowledge of the education sector from Federal to State to District level and in particular knowledge of technology- enabled content tools and technology solutions for that sector.
- Experience in managing multi-disciplinary project teams
- Experience managing all aspects of portfolio life cycle, including pre-development (making new investments), development (managing multi-year investments), post development (dissemination, scale and disposition of investments in portfolio).
- Working knowledge of how technology can best be utilized to support high quality instruction.
- Deep understanding of catalyzing the development and successful growth and scaling of early stage organizations
- Knowledge of how various instructional technologies (learning management systems, instructional technology, digital tools) can be best support teachers in creating high quality teaching practice
- Knowledge of best practices for supporting and designing high quality learning environments.
- Understanding of open source community development, innovations and solutions with respect to the commercial and consumer web technology and venture worlds as well as the traditional K-12 and postsecondary sectors.
- Deep knowledge of strategic communications and messaging.
- Understand of systems engineering, software development and marketing.
Skills:
- Excellent written & oral communications skills effective with a broad & diverse audience.
- Ability to be highly effective while managing shifting internal expectations.
- Strong program management and strategic thinking skills.
- Strong ability to ingrate thinking.
- Prioritize and manage large amounts of information relevant to the work.
- Ability to work with a variety of local, state, and federal entities and grantees.
- Strong presentation and speaking skills.
- Project management skills.
- Critical thinking & problem-solving skills are paramount.
- Ability to manage diverse teams.
- Ability to negotiate and mediate.
Education & Experience:
- Experience in K-12 and/or higher education.
- Recognized by the education the community as an expert in the field technology solutions for K-12 and higher education state/national.
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