Gates Foundation — Senior Communications Officer

OpenDoorHub; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gates Foundation seeks a Senior Communications Officer to lead the creative direction and experience design of exhibits, installations, and activations, shaping how audiences encounter the Foundation’s work across physical and digital spaces.

This limited-term role through December 2027 requires an advanced design degree and 8–10+ years of experience in design or experience design, with a proven ability to manage multi-partner projects and deliver cohesive brand experiences globally.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in design or related field and 8-10+ years leading creative development.
• Experience designing exhibits, experiential activations, and brand installations outside the U.S.
• Proven ability to adapt concepts across cultures and manage cross-partner projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead exhibit and activation strategy in collaboration with visitor experience experts, campaigns and channels colleagues, and subject matter experts.
• Steward and evolve the Foundation’s brand visual design system across exhibits, environments, and physical brand assets.
• Deliver global activations, directing vendor selection and management, and stewarding budget.
• Partner with experience and UX designers to lead the development and evolution of design and brand systems.
• Manage cross-functional and multi-partner collaborations, ensuring brand experiences are cohesive across touchpoints and designed for both in-person engagement and digital reach.

Skills

Visual design

Spatial design

Experience design

Multi-partner management

Education

Advanced degree in design or related field

Job description

Gates Foundation — Senior Communications Officer

The Gates Foundation seeks a Senior Communications Officer to lead creative development for global brand experiential design. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree and 8-10+ years of experience in design, experience design, or a related field. The role involves leading the strategy and cr

The Gates Foundation is hiring a Senior Communications Officer for brand experiential design to lead the creative direction and experience design of exhibits, installations, and activations. This limited-term position through December 2027 requires an advanced degree and 8-10+ years of experience in design, experience design, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have a strong design point of view and a rigorous approach to shaping how audiences engage with brand environments.

Overview

The Senior Communications Officer will lead the creative direction and experience design of exhibits, installations, and activations, shaping how audiences encounter and move through the Foundation’s work. The role involves embedding a multi-channel mindset into the design process, ensuring activations and experiences are conceived for execution across physical, digital, and social platforms.

• Lead exhibit and activation strategy in collaboration with visitor experience experts, campaigns and channels colleagues, and subject matter experts
• Steward and evolve the Foundation’s brand visual design system across exhibits, environments, and physical brand assets
• Deliver global activations, directing vendor selection and management, and stewarding budget
• Partner with experience and UX designers to lead the development and evolution of design and brand systems
• Manage cross-functional and multi-partner collaborations, ensuring brand experiences are cohesive across touchpoints and designed for both in-person engagement and digital reach

The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in design, experience design, graphic design, communications, marketing, fine arts, or a related field, with 8-10+ years of experience leading creative development for exhibits, experiential activations, and brand installations outside the U.S.

• Proven track record of adapting creative concepts to diverse cultural contexts and audiences
• Strong visual and spatial design skills, with a deep understanding of design principles across physical and digital environments
• Experience managing multi-partner projects with clear scope, deliverables, and accountability
• Competitive salary range of $173,000 to $259,600 USD, with the range for this role in Seattle and Washington D.C. being $190,300 to $285,500 USD
• Opportunity to work with a mission-driven organization, shaping how audiences engage with brand environments
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment, with a team of experienced professionals

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please submit your application through the provided link. The application process will involve a review of your resume, cover letter, and portfolio, as well as interviews with the hiring team.

• Advanced degree in design, experience design, graphic design, communications, marketing, fine arts, or a related field
• 8-10+ years of experience leading creative development for exhibits, experiential activations, and brand installations outside the U.S.
• Strong visual and spatial design skills, with a deep understanding of design principles across physical and digital environments

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary range for this role?

The salary range for this role is $173,000 to $259,600 USD, with the range for this role in Seattle and Washington D.C. being $190,300 to $285,500 USD.

What are the requirements for this role?

The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in design, experience design, graphic design, communications, marketing, fine arts, or a related field, with 8-10+ years of experience leading creative development for exhibits, experiential activations, and brand installations outside the U.S.

What is the duration of this role?

This is a limited-term position through December 2027.

What skills are required for this role?

The ideal candidate will have strong visual and spatial design skills, with a deep understanding of design principles across physical and digital environments, as well as experience managing multi-partner projects with clear scope, deliverables, and accountability.

What is the work environment like?

The work environment is collaborative and dynamic, with a team of experienced professionals.

What are the benefits of working for the Gates Foundation?

The Gates Foundation offers a competitive salary range, a collaborative and dynamic work environment, and the opportunity to work with a mission-driven organization.