The Gates Foundation is hiring a President, U.S. Program in Seattle to lead its U.S. education strategy, with a salary of $800,000–$1.1 million and an October 19, 2026 deadline.
The Gates Foundation is hiring a President, U.S. Program to lead its U.S. education strategy and long-term work focused on education, economic mobility and upward mobility.
The full-time position is based in Seattle, Washington, and offers a listed salary range of $800,000 to $1.1 million USD. Applications are open until October 19, 2026.
Opportunity Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Gates Foundation |
| Position | President, U.S. Program |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Employment | Full time |
| Salary | $800,000–$1.1 million USD |
| Application deadline | October 19, 2026 |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience |
| Advanced degree | Preferred, not required |
| Work authorization | Unrestricted authorization required |
| Sponsorship | Not provided |
About the U.S. Program
The Gates Foundation’s U.S. Program is focused on advancing equitable upward mobility through educational attainment.
Its strategy covers K-12 teaching and learning, postsecondary learning and navigation, data and AI infrastructure, and advocacy and system improvement. The program works with educators, institutions, students, families, policymakers, employers, researchers, technology leaders and community organizations.
The division aims to increase credential attainment among 18–34-year-olds and support education as an engine of opportunity and economic mobility.
Role and Responsibilities
The President, U.S. Program will lead the division’s vision, strategy, operating model, culture, talent, partnerships, investments and impact.
Key areas of responsibility include:
U.S. Program Strategy
The role involves translating long-term ambitions into strategies, investment priorities, operating plans, decision rights, metrics and accountability.
The President will also review and approve grants over $5 million and make decisions across competing priorities and opportunities.
Education-to-Workforce Systems
The President will oversee an integrated portfolio covering:
- K-12 teaching and learning.
- Postsecondary learning and navigation.
- Data and AI infrastructure.
- Advocacy and system improvement.
- Policy and funding.
- Communications and field-building.
- Partner capacity.
The role includes guiding solutions intended to improve learning, persistence, completion and mobility for learners.
AI, Data and Infrastructure
The position will ensure AI and data infrastructure are incorporated into the U.S. Program’s strategy.
The President will support investments using AI and data to improve learning, advising, navigation and system feedback while considering learner needs, educator practice, equity, privacy and public trust.
Partnerships
The President will build relationships with senior leaders across education, workforce, philanthropy, government, advocacy, research, technology, business and community organizations.
The role also involves representing the foundation externally and working with partners on strategies designed to support systems change.
Organizational Leadership
The President will lead the U.S. Program through continued organizational evolution, including talent management, succession planning, employee engagement, governance, risk management, financial stewardship and operational execution.
The position also serves on the Foundation’s Executive Leadership Team and works with the CEO, Chair, Board and other senior leaders.
Experience and Qualifications
The foundation is seeking candidates with:
- Deep executive judgment and experience advancing major institutional priorities.
- Experience leading large, complex, multidisciplinary teams and portfolios.
- Strong understanding of U.S. education and economic mobility systems.
- Experience translating long-term ambitions into organizational strategy and measurable performance.
- Experience leading system-level change.
- Strong relationships with senior external stakeholders.
- Experience navigating organizational transition and complex environments.
- Senior leadership and team-development experience.
- A demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Experience using data, evidence, measurement and evaluation to inform strategy.
- Familiarity with AI, data infrastructure and technology-enabled systems change.
- Experience managing budgets, grants, contracts, risks and partner relationships.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience is required. An advanced degree is preferred but not required.
Salary
The listed salary range is $800,000 to $1,100,000 USD.
The foundation states that actual placement within the range will depend on job-related skills, experience and expertise assessed during the interview process.
Work Authorization
Applicants must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where the position is located.
The foundation states that it does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role, including sponsorship or other immigration support for several listed visa categories.
Benefits
The Gates Foundation states that employees receive benefits including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage with no premiums.
- Generous paid time off.
- Paid family leave.
- Foundation-paid retirement contributions.
- Regional holidays.
- Employee community opportunities.
- Financial, wellness and family benefits.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is October 19, 2026.
How to Apply
The Gates Foundation is partnering with Spencer Stuart for the search.
Applicants must submit their application materials directly to Spencer Stuart at GatesUSP@spencerstuart.com. The vacancy states that this is the required application channel. Nominations may also be sent to the same address.
Applicants should prepare their materials carefully and ensure they demonstrate the executive leadership, education-sector knowledge, strategic management and systems-change experience requested in the vacancy.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This is a senior executive opportunity combining U.S. education strategy, economic mobility, philanthropy, systems change, organizational leadership, AI and data infrastructure.
The vacancy places substantial emphasis on leading a large multidisciplinary division, managing strategic and organizational change, building senior-level partnerships and translating long-term strategy into measurable implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the President, U.S. Program position based?
The position is based in Seattle, Washington, USA.
What is the salary?
The listed salary range is $800,000 to $1.1 million USD.
Is the position full time?
Yes. The vacancy lists the position as full time.
What degree is required?
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience is required. An advanced degree is preferred but not required.
Does the Gates Foundation provide visa sponsorship?
The vacancy states that the foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are open until October 19, 2026.
Where should applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted directly to Spencer Stuart at GatesUSP@spencerstuart.com, according to the vacancy instructions.
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