Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people - especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Group Summary: The mission of U.S. Program at the Gates Foundation is to reduce inequities for those with the greatest needs and fewest resources in the Unites States in a strategic, focused, and nimble manner. The US Program includes the following portfolios: Education, U.S. Libraries, Special Initiatives and Pacific Northwest.
The United States (US) Program Communications Team is a part of the US Program Advocacy team and works to advance the Foundations US Program goals, with a particular focus on developing advocacy strategies and grants to support the scaling and sustainability of the Foundations work in Education, US Libraries, the Pacific Northwest and emerging components of the domestic Special Initiatives team.
The Senior Program Officer will contribute to the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of a communications strategy to promote the objectives of the U.S. Program in Washington State. The Senior Program Officer will work closely with the directors and other members of the U.S. program on planning and implementation of the strategic communication plan for Washington State and education from early learning to post-secondary education housing, libraries, and other grant-making areas. This role requires residency in or relocation to the Seattle, Washington area.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with other members of the foundations US Program Advocacy Team, helping to design and implement our advocacy strategy for initiatives in Washington State.
- Work in close consultation with the foundations program teams in the design, development and management of advocacy related strategies to support our programmatic work in Washington State.
- Cultivate new and strengthen existing relationships with journalists covering education and poverty issues, columnists, editorial writers, news organizations, and journals, and proactively work with journalists to raise visibility of the foundations US Program issues in Washington State and communicate core messages.
- Review and vet press releases, statements, backgrounders and other media outreach materials drafted by consultants.
- Occasionally serve as foundation spokesperson for US Program issues.
- Develop media plans for executive trips and major events attended by foundation principles
- In collaboration with other members of the Advocacy team, support foundation executives with external communications, such as speeches, events, media interviews, and presentations.
- Plan and implement grant announcements for new US Program grant commitments, including the launch of major initiatives. Work synergistically with key grantees and partners on shared objectives.
- Manage the drafting, vetting, and dissemination of messaging, brochures, fact sheets, web content, newsletters and other communication materials for the program.
- Manage workflow and budget, such as work outsourced to PR agency.
Qualifications
- A minimum of 10 years progressive experience in public affairs, public relations, communications, public policy or related field, ideally including experience in a nonprofit, government or foundation. A BA is required. An advanced degree in Public Policy, Journalism, Economic Development, education or related field is strongly preferred.
- Experience working with the media in a role requiring the ability to effectively build and manage relationships with top journalists. Experience serving as a spokesperson is ideal.
- Exceptional writing skills, with a proven ability to express complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner.
- Excellent oral communication skills demonstrated in previous roles that required communication with a broad and diverse set of partners and impeccable judgment
- Strong analytical skills.
- Proven ability to successfully conceptualize, plan and execute ideas while managing multiple and changing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Demonstrated orientation toward service and ability to effectively work in a team environment,
- Exceptional judgment in managing relationships with senior staff, consultants, and foundation partners.
- Proficient using MS Office applications.
Reports to:
Deputy Director, Communications
To apply, please use the following URL:
http://posttrak.arbita.net/cgi-bin/PostTrak.cgi?RefCode=R6678245506958
