Head of Public Affairs (Policy & Advocacy)

Our mission is to catalyze innovations that solve global problems and improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. We do this by incubating products, advocating for important causes, engaging with global organizations, and managing venture investments.

Gates Ventures is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The Team: 

At Gates Ventures, our work supports Bill Gates’s contributions to the world of global health, energy innovation, science, education, technology, and philanthropy. We are a small, collaborative organization and support each other across levels, teams, and workstreams.

About the Role:
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Head of Public Affairs for our organization. This senior role will oversee and drive impactful policy/advocacy efforts across key global initiatives spearheaded by Bill Gates.

The position will build and manage a small (i.e., less than six members), high-performing team responsible for advancing our work in energy innovation to tackle climate change, cure Alzheimer’s disease, improve the US healthcare systems, and advance Artificial Intelligence/technology. This role will engage with global policymakers, heads of state, and thought leaders to shape markets, influence public policy and drive global change.

In this capacity, you will act as a senior strategic advisor and partner to Bill Gates and senior leadership, shaping strategies that align with the organization’s mission and objectives, while fostering relationships with key stakeholders across the globe.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Policy & Advocacy Leadership:
• Lead the development and execution of policy recommendations and strategies across key initiatives in energy innovation, Alzheimer’s disease, healthcare reform, and AI/technology, ensuring they align with the broader organizational goals and vision.
• Drive impactful, data-driven policy and advocacy strategies that raise awareness, influence public opinion, and advance policy change on critical issues.
• Oversee advocacy/policy efforts, ensuring consistent messaging and positioning across diverse channels and external platforms. Lead proactive and reactive engagement with key elected officials and policy makers around the world.
  
  
2. Global Policy & Advocacy Engagement:
• Lead the organization’s global engagement with policymakers, international institutions, and other stakeholders, advancing our mission to drive systemic change on global issues such as climate change, healthcare reform, and the responsible development of technology.
• Act as the primary point of contact for policymakers and influential stakeholders, providing expert counsel and guidance on public affairs strategies.
• Represent the organization at high-level public events, conferences, and policy discussions.
• Partner closely with communications team to ensure the organization responds effectively and strategically to emerging issues and challenges related to policy and government relations.
  
  
3. Team Leadership & Development:
• Foster a culture of high performance, innovation, and collaboration across our global network, including the Gates Foundation, Breakthrough Energy and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Microsoft, TerraPower, Alzheimer’s Data and Diagnostics Initiative, and other affiliated organizations and partners.  
• Mentor and develop the next generation of advocacy/policy/government relations leaders, ensuring the team’s capabilities evolve with changing global trends and organizational priorities.
• Oversee recruitment, talent development, and performance management within the public affairs teams.
  
  
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Partner with other senior leaders across disciplines, program teams, policy experts, and advocacy partners to ensure integrated approaches across the organization.
• Leverage insights and data to refine advocacy/policy strategies and drive measurable outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Experience:
  • At least 15+ years of experience in government relations/public affairs roles, with a proven track record of leading global strategies and high-profile advocacy efforts.
  • Significant experience in policy advocacy and public affairs, in one or more of the sectors of energy and climate change, healthcare systems, technology, and social impact.
  • Experience leading policy and advocacy for a major global organization.
  • A demonstrated ability to lead teams through complex, high-stakes challenges and drive long-term strategic goals.
    
    
• Skills:
  • Strong executive leadership, with experience advising senior leadership and stakeholders on strategic policy and advocacy matters.
  • Expertise in government relations, with a deep network and a proven ability to negotiate and position complex issues.
  • Skilled in crisis management, with experience handling high-pressure situations and maintaining strategic oversight.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, persuasive plans, messages and compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive change.
    
    
• Education:
  • Graduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field.
  • Deep understanding of global policy and advocacy landscapes, particularly related to the organization’s focus areas.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Vision: A strong ability to develop and implement policy and advocacy strategies that anticipate future challenges and opportunities in the government relations and public affairs space.
• Political and Social Acumen: In-depth knowledge of global political dynamics, with a keen understanding of how to influence policy and public opinion in the areas of energy, healthcare, and technology innovation.
• Leadership Excellence: Ability to inspire and manage a high-performing team, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Collaborative and Relationship-Oriented: Comfortable working in cross-functional teams and building relationships with global stakeholders, policymakers, and influencers.
• Results-Oriented: Focused on driving measurable impact through government relations and public affairs efforts, with a strong track record of success in achieving policy and advocacy goals.

Why Join Us:

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping global policies on critical issues such as energy innovation, healthcare reform, and technological advancement. As the Head of Public Affairs, you will be at the forefront of influencing policy and advancing advocacy efforts in support of Bill Gates’s mission for systemic global change. Leading a talented team and engaging with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and global leaders, you will have the chance to drive lasting impact on some of the world’s most urgent challenges.

If you are a mission-driven leader with a passion for policy, advocacy and communications, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation & Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $250,000 - $350,000. Starting salary offers will vary depending on a number of factors, including education, experience, and qualifications. Gates Ventures offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance and a 401(k) program with employer match. Our benefits also include generous paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.