Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Principal Officer, Measurement, Learning & Evaluation

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation$234K — $362K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in economics, public policy, education, statistics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • At least 12 years in measurement, evaluation, research, or analytics with increasing responsibility.
  • Experience designing and leading complex measurement systems at scale.
  • Deep expertise in impact measurement and data-driven strategic decision-making.
  • Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for senior leaders.
  • Strong track record of influencing alignment among diverse stakeholders.
  • Exceptional communication skills including presentation and storytelling.

Responsibilities

  • Define and steward the division-wide Measurement, Learning & Evaluation (MLE) system.
  • Establish division-wide standards and leadership metrics aligned to Ambition 2045.
  • Synthesize cross-portfolio insights to inform resource allocation and prioritization.
  • Develop division-wide dashboards and analytical tools for visibility across portfolios.
  • Integrate program signals with broader contexts to inform division-level decisions.
  • Lead structured forums for cross-portfolio learning and integration throughout the investment lifecycle.
  • Monitor external trends to inform strategic foresight in MLE practices.

Benefits

  • Robust health and wellness programs.
  • Flexible work arrangements.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Vibrant and inclusive work culture.
  • Opportunities to impact educational attainment and equity.
Full Job Description
The Team
The U.S. Program (USP) is pursuing Ambition 2045-an enterprise-wide effort to accelerate equitable upward mobility through educational attainment. Delivering on it requires a step-change in how the division makes decisions, allocates resources, and translates evidence into action across a complex, interdependent portfolio.

The Office of the President (OOP) enables the U.S. Leadership Team (USLT) to operate as a cohesive, high-functioning decision body. Within OOP, the Measurement, Learning & Evaluation (MLE) function is the enterprise capability that synthesizes insights across portfolios, strengthens division-wide coherence, and ensures forward-looking evidence informs the most consequential strategy and resource allocation decisions.

Posting Close Date: Friday, July 3rd at 11:59pm PT

Your Role

As Principal Officer, Measurement, Learning & Evaluation (PO) within OOP, you will define and steward the division-wide MLE system that enables the U.S. Program Leadership Team (USLT) to make high-quality, evidence-informed decisions.

You are accountable for translating signals from across investments and portfolios into a coherent, decision-ready view of progress, performance, and risk against Ambition 2045. That means defining what must be measured, how it is standardized and interpreted, and how it informs leadership decisions-ensuring MLE is not only rigorous but actionable, driving changes in strategy, investment, and execution across the division.

You will work across all priority pillars and strategies to:
  • Establish division-wide standards, guardrails, and leadership-level metrics aligned to Ambition 2045
  • Define how portfolio- and program-level signals are aggregated, compared, and interpreted
  • Ensure underlying data, tools, and processes enable consistent, reliable inputs into the system
  • Synthesize cross-portfolio insights to inform USLT tradeoffs, prioritization, and resource allocation
  • Provide visibility into division-level progress, risks, and opportunities
  • Ensure decision-grade evidence is available at the right time to support invest, scale, pivot, and stop decisions
  • Identify and elevate emerging insights and MLE opportunities that materially improve decision quality


You will partner closely with OOP Strategy, Planning & Management leadership, Program-level DDMLEs, and Directors to strengthen integration across strategy, learning, and decision-making.

What You'll Do

Enterprise Measurement & Impact Architecture
  • Lead the design and stewardship of the division-wide impact model, including shared outcomes, leading indicators, and performance expectations aligned to Ambition 2045
  • Define and maintain the "ladder of outcomes" connecting BOW, PST/FST, and division-level goals
  • Establish and govern shared measurement standards, definitions, and reporting norms across portfolios
  • Oversee development and continuous improvement of division-wide dashboards and analytical tools that enable cross-portfolio visibility
  • Advance enterprise approaches to impact accounting, predictive modeling, and scenario analysis to inform strategic decisions


Cross-Portfolio Insight & Decision Support
  • Integrate program signals with broader context signals to surface patterns, tradeoffs, and risks that inform strong division-level decisions
  • Translate complex evidence into clear, decision-relevant insights for USLT and senior leadership
  • Provide forward-looking, decision-aligned analysis to inform division-level decisions on prioritization, sequencing, and resource allocations
  • Surface cross-portfolio implications early, particularly where strategies are interdependent or competing for resources
  • Serve as a trusted, independent voice in decision-making forums, bringing an evidence-based perspective and constructive challenge to consequential decisions


Division-Wide Learning, Standards & Capability
  • Design and facilitate structured forums that embed cross-portfolio learning throughout the strategy and investment lifecycle (e.g., start, scale, pivot, stop)
  • Monitor external field signals, research, and emerging trends, synthesizing them into strategic foresight that tests assumptions and surfaces risks
  • Define expectations for core MLE deliverables (e.g., learning agendas, dashboards, evaluation approaches) and partner with program-level DDMLEs to ensure consistency with context-specific flexibility
  • Provide leadership across the MLE community of practice, driving coherence, quality, and shared standards
  • Influence hiring, talent development, and performance expectations to strengthen enterprise MLE capability
  • Partner with OOP and SPM leadership on planning and governance rhythms, and with the AI Enablement hub on AI-enabled learning systems


Leadership & Culture
  • Model and reinforce a one-division mindset, balancing respect for portfolio ownership with enterprise-level coherence
  • Promote intellectual honesty, constructive challenge, and transparency in decision-making forums
  • Foster a culture that values rigorous, inclusive evidence-elevating diverse perspectives and interrogating bias in data and decision-making
  • Ensure MLE practices reflect principles of equity and inclusion, including non-extractive data collection, incorporation of lived experience, and rigorous attention to bias in analysis and interpretation
  • Operate effectively in a highly matrixed environment, influencing without direct authority over distributed teams


Your Experience

We seek a leader who combines deep technical expertise in measurement and evaluation with strong enterprise judgment and the ability to influence senior leaders in complex environments.
  • Advanced degree in economics, public policy, education, statistics, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 12+ years of experience in measurement, evaluation, research, analytics, or related discipline, with increasing levels of responsibility.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and leading complex measurement, performance, or learning systems at scale.
  • Deep expertise in impact measurement, analytics, evidence generation, and the application of data to inform strategic decision-making.
  • Proven ability to synthesize complex information and translate technical findings into actionable insights for senior leaders.
  • Strong track record of influencing decisions and driving alignment across diverse stakeholders in matrixed and ambiguous environments.
  • Experience balancing methodological rigor with practical decision-making needs in fast-moving or resource-constrained contexts.
  • Exceptional communication skills, including executive-level presentation, facilitation, and storytelling.
  • Enterprise mindset with the ability to connect insights across portfolios, functions, and systems.
  • Experience in philanthropy, education, public sector, or other mission-driven organizations preferred.


Leadership Characteristics
  • Acts as a trusted advisor with discretion to senior leadership
  • Demonstrates intellectual rigor, curiosity, and openness to challenge
  • Champions evidence-informed decision-making and adaptive learning
  • Builds alignment and trust across diverse teams and perspectives
  • Operates with humility, integrity, and a strong commitment to equity


Must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where this position is located. The Foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. This includes direct company sponsorship and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g.: H-1B, O-1, L-1, E, OPT, STEM-OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.).

The salary range for this role is $212,800 to $329,800 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $234,000 to $362,800 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

About Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a private foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. The foundation was launched in 2000 and is based in Seattle, Washington. The primary goals of the foundation are to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology. The foundation is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world, with an endowment of over $50 billion. The foundation has made significant contributions to global health, including the eradication of polio in India and the development of new vaccines for malaria and tuberculosis. The foundation also supports a variety of educational initiatives, including the development of new technologies for teaching and learning.
Learn more about Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Size
1,600 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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