Get new jobs for this search by email

Content Summary: Communications Officer, Speech Writer (12 months) at Seattle, for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofitfighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve.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.As a workplace, we're committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Team

Leadership Communications: The Leadership Communications team shapes and executes impactful and coherent communications, opportunities, and engagements on behalf of foundation Chair Bill Gates, CEO Mark Suzman, and select voices on the foundation's Executive Leadership Team. It works to advance the foundation's advocacy priorities, contribute to foundation brand and reputation, and lead narrative and speechwriting for CEO and Chair engagements.

Your Role - Applications will be accepted until 5 PM on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

As the Communications Officer, Speech Writer you will be a member of the Leadership Communications team within the Global Communications Division. This role will report to the Deputy Director, Leadership Communications and will work as part of a collaborative editorial team to research and craft high-quality speeches and other written content for the Foundation Chair Bill Gates, CEO Mark Suzman, and other leaders, in support of the foundation's communications goals.

This role will work closely with colleagues across the foundation and in the Chair's private office to write speeches, op-eds, and other editorial pieces. This role will occasionally support other aspects of external- and internal-facing writing projects at the foundation, including reports, blog posts, social media, messaging documents, employee communications, and associated creative content.

*This is a limited-term employment position for 12 months with base compensation and generous benefits. Relocation benefits will not be provided for this position.

What You'll Do

• Write speeches, scripts, op-eds, and other products for the foundation's co-chairs and other leaders under the supervision of the Speechwriter.

• Work with a diverse group of colleagues in program teams, leadership teams, country offices, and the communications division to align on goals, conduct research, and create written products that advance the goals of the foundation.

• Navigate a complex review process that involves tight deadlines and the resolution of feedback from multiple foundation specialists and executives and the chair's private office.

• Build trust with foundation leaders, using extremely limited face time to draw out ideas and preferences and create outstanding content that consistently meets their needs.

• Occasionally manage writing contractors and freelancers.

• As a member of a highly collaborative writing team, contribute to an editorial process to help identify compelling stories, voices, and statistics.

*This position is anticipated to include up to 20% domestic and international travel as part of its responsibilities.

Your Experience

You are analytical, proactive, adaptable, and a problem-solver. You are able to work under pressure with poise and operate with alacrity in a fast-paced and respectful environment-ideally with experience navigating large, matrixed, global organizations. You are respectful and curious when working with colleagues from around the world and have a client service mindset. You are creative, resourceful, and have excellent judgment.You also possess the following:

• Outstanding skills in research-based writing and editing

• The ability to draft quality work on short notice and with tight timelines

• Understanding of and experience communicating about global health, development, climate, and/or gender equality

• Experience writing in someone else's voice (such as ghostwriting or speechwriting)

• Experience translating scientific or other technical material to broad audiences

• Facility working with quantitative and qualitative data

• Enthusiasm for collaboration and the ability to integrate a high volume of disparate feedback while maintaining a cohesive narrative authentic to the speaker/author

• Strong negotiation and people skills

• Experience advancing DEI, internally and externally, and experience working with colleagues from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds

Additional Desired Qualifications Include:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 5 years of experience in speechwriting, executive communications, or similar field

• Experience working closely with and writing for high-level principals

When applying - please include a sample of your best writing--ideally a speech or op-ed--no longer than 1,500 words. This sample should be in the voice of the speaker (not your voice), and should entirely reflect your own original work. Do not include a link, just the text (Word document or pdf) of your sample.

*Applicants for this role will only be considered if they are able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

The salary range for this role is $140,200 to $210,200 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle, WA and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $152,800 to $229,200 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.

#LI-TO1

Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion - of voices, ideas, and approaches - and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.