Senior Program Officer, System Feedback Loops (12 month LTE)

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • Washington, DC

2d

About The Position

As the Senior Program Officer, System Feedback Loops you will be at the forefront of redefining the education-to-workforce data and AI ecosystem to advance equity and opportunity for all learners. In this critical role, you will build and integrate crucial public good infrastructure to support evidence-based AI-native data system implementation that strengthens data feedback loops—helping district and postsecondary leaders access timely insights and collaborate more optimally across sectors to improve long-term regional outcomes. As the USP Data & AI Infrastructure strategy evolves, this position will lead and coordinate ongoing and emerging Data and AI infrastructure investments that improve education and workforce data integration, use, and timeliness. This includes enhancing practitioner-facing data platforms and tools, enabling postsecondary practitioners to use data effectively to equitably improve college enrollment and completion. Leading a diverse portfolio of investments, you’ll apply strong project and grant management skills, as well as deep expertise in building and sustaining local-to-state partnerships to use data more effectively. Collaboration is key in this role – you will work closely with internal and external partners to define achievements, monitor progress, and deliver results that advance the US Program Data & AI strategy and integrate Data-developed public goods into their work. You will report to the Deputy Director, System Feedback Loops.

Requirements

• Advanced degree required with proven experience or equivalent working with education-to-workforce data systems and translating insights into assets for district and higher education leaders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. education and workforce data, including building, expanding, and/or using key federal, state, and private data sources.
• Strong contextual translation skills—ability to apply complex technical knowledge in education, workforce, or social impact settings and translate emerging technology approaches to educational contexts
• Working understanding of generative AI technological advances, related readiness frameworks, and ability to implement these solutions in real-world contexts or new, untested areas particularly how AI can be developed and deployed to support and uplift Black, Latino, Indigenous students, and students from low-income backgrounds
• Experience successfully collaborating and using informal influence and non-positional leadership to accomplish work and ability to grow trust with education partners that can be used to develop aligned investments and lead those investments to shared outcomes
• Experience facilitating, leading, and summarizing divergent points of view to advance the thinking of the group and successfully synthesize and communicate key takeaways for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of how different communities and partners engage with education data systems, incorporating community/partner demands and needs into the work.
• Confirmed knowledge of data issues, including key research, policies, and debates in the field.
• Experience in project/program management, including leading multiple complex projects, timelines, and budgets with shifting internal expectations and priorities.
• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical resource to the division on education and workforce data partnerships, coordinating with program strategy teams within US Program to integrate Data-funded public goods and ensure demonstration pilots align with broader strategic impact goals.
• Negotiate, execute, and handle a complex portfolio of grants or performance-based contracts to support refinement of national data platforms and tools to provide high school and postsecondary practitioners with effective data in close partnership with the Postsecondary Success team.
• Assess, align, and, where applicable, transition existing investments into new or emerging Data & AI portfolios, including key initiatives within the System Feedback Loops portfolio.
• Develop, lead, resource, and implement a portfolio that aligns with foundation strategy and is operationally integrated with other foundation programs.
• 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 with grantees to achieve the desired impact of grants by conducting site visits when appropriate, providing technical guidance, convening meetings, and applying and evaluating milestone-based performance objectives.
• Contribute to the design of new or refine existing strategies, collaborations, and implementation plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
• Represent the U.S. Program and the foundation through clear and consistent communication with grantees and partners related to education and workforce data.
• Support inclusive culture through modeling behaviors and actions; escalate issues in a timely fashion to appropriate stakeholders.

Benefits

• We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees