The Strategy, Innovation, and Impact group is the primary function supporting the creation and evolution of our program level strategies, as well as exploring new paths to impact that align with our mission. This includes supporting the CEO, CFO and Chief Strategy Officer in accountabilities including strategy development, strategy revision, strategy performance measurement, portfolio management, and special initiatives to accelerate the foundation’s impact.
Provides support to staff on two sub-teams within the Strategy, Innovation, and Impact group: The Strategy team (will support 2 Deputy Directors and 1 Strategy Officer) and Melinda’s Programmatic Strategy Team (1 Deputy Director, 1 Senior Program Officer, 1 Program Officer); key duties include the following:
- Manages a high volume of appointments/meetings and complex calendars. Organizes meetings over several different time zones (international and domestic) and provides multiple communication links (i.e. conference call numbers, online, and/or video conferencing).
- Manages domestic and international travel arrangements and when required works with internal partners to secure visas. Coordinates travel arrangements for participants of foundation-sponsored meetings if needed.
- Contributes to team project tracker for visibility of team staffing. Ad hoc support on team projects.
- Executes events, key leadership meetings, retreats, convenings and presentations which may include coordinating arrangements for multiple participants, managing participant communication, handling logistics, preparing and disseminating materials.
- Develops and administers communications support to ensure timely responses to inquiries, including answering and prioritizing calls, email and mail communications.
- Effectively manages relationships and communicates diplomatically. Supports and drives team building / culture.
- Handles confidential information with discretion, diplomacy, and maturity.
- Acts as liaison for SII team and internal partners, answering questions and routing requests as appropriate.
- Responsible for high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with grantees, internal and external partners in the field.
- This role and team provides a unique opportunity to build relationships and work with internal partners within the Chief Strategy Office and across the foundation.
- A minimum of 3 years’ work experience in an office setting, preferably in an administrative role for a complex and fast-paced organization, interacting intensively with internal and external contacts
- Is highly proactive in identifying team needs and opportunities and helps champion and resolve them.
- Experience setting priorities and meeting deadlines while balancing the needs of providing support for multiple individuals, including: calendar management; travel arrangements; and event planning assistance
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in an environment requiring diplomacy and good judgement
- Demonstrated effectiveness meeting deadlines in a role requiring continual attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials
- Experience establishing organizational systems to improve efficiency and functioning in a changing environment
- Experience in learning and mastering new software applications
- Demonstrated positive, collaborative approach, with a commitment to client-service and problem solving
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check.