Project Manager, Officer, Editorial Planning

Gates Foundation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Gates Foundation in Seattle is seeking a Project Manager for the Editorial Planning function to drive the division's calendar, editorial boards, and cross‑functional campaigns.

You will partner with writers, campaign leads, and leadership offices, while shaping priorities, managing risks, and delivering high‑impact communications on a global stage.

Qualifications

• Experience in communications, editorial planning, content strategy, public affairs, journalism, or related field with demonstrated strategic thinking.
• Ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects in fast-paced environments with competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to build relationships across diverse teams.
• Ability to translate communications strategy into clear project plans and measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management for the Communications Division's editorial calendar and integrated editorial plan.
• Own planning and execution of the Editorial Board process including agenda development and meeting coordination.
• Lead major campaigns by coordinating cross-functional planning, timelines, and delivery.
• Provide flexible project management support for Advocacy and Voice Planning and leadership engagements.
• Support leadership writing deliverables with the editorial planning writing team and stakeholders.
• Track progress and provide regular reporting to Communications leadership and stakeholders.
• Continuously improve editorial planning processes, tools, and operating rhythms.

Skills

Project management

Editorial planning

Strategic communications

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Timeline management

Stakeholder management

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 Communications Division, led by the Chief Communications Officer (CCO), oversees the foundation’s global communications strategy. The division unites internal and external communications to advance the foundation’s mission and amplify its impact around the world. The Communications Division is focused on achieving two goals: to build trust in the Gates Foundation and to inspire more people to care about our mission.

The Editorial Planning Team within the Office of the CCO leads editorial planning, narrative development and integrated voice strategy in support of the foundation’s mission to save the lives of mothers and children and fight disease, poverty and inequity around the world.

This position will be based out of Seattle, Washington

This is a 16 month Limited Term Engagement

Your Role

As Project Manager, you will report to the Deputy Director, Editorial Planning and be responsible for leading project management for the Communications Division's editorial planning function, including ownership of the division's editorial calendar and Editorial Board processes, coordination of major communications campaigns, and management of cross-functional planning processes throughout the year. Working across Communications, leadership offices, and teams throughout the foundation, you will help drive alignment, manage complex cross-functional projects, and ensure successful execution of the division's highest-priority communications initiatives.

Success in this role requires both strong project management and strategic communications thinking. You will partner closely with communicators, writers, and campaign leads to help shape priorities, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure our editorial planning reflects the foundation's communications goals.

This role will also provide flexible project management support across Advocacy and Voice Planning (AVP), leadership engagements, and other priority initiatives as business needs evolve.

This role is anticipated to have up to 25% domestic and international travel.

What You'll Do

• Lead project management for the Communications Division's editorial calendar, partnering across the division and foundation to develop, maintain, and execute an integrated editorial calendar that guides the strategic use of foundation voice with priority audiences.
• Own planning and execution of the Editorial Board process, including agenda development, meeting coordination, decision tracking, follow-up, and continuous improvement of the process over time.
• Lead project management for major communications campaigns, partnering with campaign leads to coordinate planning, cross-functional execution, timelines, and delivery.
• Provide flexible project management support for Advocacy and Voice Planning (AVP), leadership trips, external engagements, and other priority initiatives as needed.
• Provide project management support for leadership writing deliverables, partnering closely with the editorial planning writing team, leadership offices, and stakeholders across the foundation.
• Track progress across editorial planning priorities and provide regular reporting and updates to Communications leadership and key stakeholders.
• Continuously improve editorial planning processes, tools, and operating rhythms to increase efficiency, visibility, and collaboration across the division.

Your Experience

• Experience working in communications, editorial planning, content strategy, public affairs, journalism, or a related field, with demonstrated strategic communications thinking and the ability to apply it to complex projects and campaigns.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects in a fast-paced communications, marketing, public affairs, or related environment with competing priorities and evolving needs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills, with a proven ability to anticipate issues, solve problems proactively, and drive projects to successful completion.
• Ability to translate communications strategy into clear project plans, cross-functional execution, and measurable outcomes.
• Experience managing complex review, decision-making, and approval processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm under pressure, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and deliver high-quality work on tight timelines.
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset with curiosity, flexibility, sound judgment, and a commitment to supporting team success.

Must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where this position is located.

The Foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. This includes direct company sponsorship and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (eg: H-1B, O-1, L-1, E, OPT, STEM-OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.).

The salary range for this role is $143,000 to $214,000 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $157,300 to $235,900 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.

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.