Deputy Director, UK & Australia, EMEEA

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and/ or

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Paid family leave

Retirement contribution

Job summary

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is seeking a Deputy Director, UK & Australia, EMEEA, to lead strategic engagement and policy advocacy across the UK and Australia from our London office. The role requires navigating political landscapes, building senior-level partnerships, and coordinating cross-functional teams to advance health and development goals.

You will represent the foundation at high-level events, provide strategic counsel to leadership, and ensure alignment with global program

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in relevant field.
• Experience shaping policy and advocacy strategies with measurable results.
• Proven ability to engage senior government officials and partners.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute country strategies for UK and Australia within EMEEA.
• Lead government relations, advocacy and external engagement across UK and Australia.
• Manage partnerships, staff, and a broad matrixed network to achieve shared objectives.

Skills

Strategic policy leadership

Public policy

International relations

Diplomacy and negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Policy analysis

Education

Advanced degree in economics/public policy/IR/public health/intl development

Job description

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting 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

The mission of the Global Policy and Advocacy (GPA) division is to understand the political context and policy debates affecting the foundation’s work, build support for our major program and policy objectives, and develop partnerships and alliances that can advance the foundation’s objectives nationally and globally. We work in close partnership with grantees, and with our colleagues in the Global Health, Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, Gender Equality, and Communications Divisions to build the environment in which all people have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives. Within the GPA division, the Europe, Middle East, and East Asia (EMEEA) team leads the foundation’s geographic presence in the largest donor countries outside North America and China, covering Europe (with a focus on UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Nordics, Netherlands, and European Union institutions), the Middle East (Arab League countries), and the Asia-Pacific region (Japan, South Korea, and Australia). EMEEA acts as the bridge between foundation teams and donor markets by offering deep insights on the geo-political landscape, media and public attitudes, and the foundation’s advocacy priorities. EMEEA works alongside a network of grantees and partners - including, media, civil society organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions - to support the foundation’s overarching strategic goals.

Your Role

This is an exciting opportunity to combine your strategic leadership, political acumen, and policy expertise to advance an ambitious policy and advocacy agenda across global health, development, and R&D. The Deputy Director, UK & Australia, EMEEA will lead the development and execution of the foundation's engagement strategy across UK and Australia, two significant donors to global development and leaders in health and agricultural research. You will represent the foundation at senior levels across government and other sectors, provide strategic counsel on advocacy and partnerships, and build alignment between country priorities and the foundation's programmatic work. This is position is based at the foundation’s office in London and reports to the Managing Director, EMEEA, and operates within a highly matrixed environment across GPA and the foundation's global program strategy teams. We are looking for someone who is dynamic, creative and able to both manage direct reports and coordinate a broad network of colleagues and partners to advance shared strategic objectives across the UK and Australia.

What You’ll Do

a) Strategy Ownership and Execution Fully design, own, and execute comprehensive country strategies for the UK and Australia, aligned with foundation-wide priorities and EMEEA objectives. Set strategic direction for advocacy, government relations, and partnership engagement across the UK and Australia, ensuring clarity of priorities and measurable outcomes. Translate global health and development strategies into actionable, country-specific policy and advocacy plans. Continuously assess political, policy, and donor landscapes to refine strategy, adjust priorities, and respond to emerging opportunities and risks. Oversee a regional investment portfolio (grants and contracts), including strategic prioritization, stewardship, and performance management.

b) Government Relations, Advocacy and External Engagement Guide the foundation’s overall external engagement in UK and Australia, including advising and staffing Gates Foundation leadership and serve as a senior representative and spokesperson for the foundation in UK and Australia. Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders - including government officials, opinion leaders, civil society and philanthropic partners. Represent the foundation in high-level external fora, including conferences, policy dialogues, and public events. Provide timely political and policy analysis, briefings, and strategic recommendations to foundation leadership.

c) Cross-Foundation Collaboration and People Leadership Work with colleagues across the foundation to develop and grow strategic partnerships with governments, institutions, and other relevant stakeholders in pursuit of the foundation’s goals. Design, manage, resource, and implement sustainable and impactful advocacy and communication strategies that align with the foundation's overarching objectives. Manage partnerships and grantee relationships to achieve impact. Directly manage, coach, and develop direct reports, while also leading and coordinating a broader matrixed network of colleagues across the foundation. Set team priorities, performance goals, and professional development plans; build a strong, inclusive team culture.

Your Experience

Advanced degree in economics, public policy, international relations, public health, international development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Demonstrated ability to navigate the political and policy landscapes in the UK and/or Australia with sound political judgment. Significant experience developing and executing strategies that shape policy, advance organisational priorities, and deliver measurable results. Expert knowledge of international development policy and practice, with the ability to anticipate emerging trends, assess policy implications, and translate complex developments into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for senior leadership. Strong diplomatic, negotiation, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with senior government officials, policymakers, multilateral institutions, and other key stakeholders, to advance shared objectives. Proven experience leading teams, setting strategic direction, fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture, and empowering others to deliver results. Extensive experience operating within complex, matrixed organisations, with a proven ability to lead and influence across teams and functions, align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities, and manage competing demands to deliver results in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex issues into clear, compelling messages and engage and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.

Other Attributes Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity. Ability to travel 10% or more throughout the UK and Australia and to foundation offices.

Application deadline

2 November 2026

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

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you have a disability or medical condition and need an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process—such as an ASL interpreter, alternative interview format, or physical accessibility support—we’re happy to help. Please contact [e-mail] with the position number and a brief description of your accommodation needs. Requests will be handled confidentially.

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. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone - especially those with the fewest resources - has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life.

About the Foundation

Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.