Director, Mothers & Babies (Remote)

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving and millions of lives by providing cash grants directly to the worlds poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year much of it on evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that establishing cash transfers as a benchmark for foreign aid as the index fund is a benchmark for the financial industry and in the process accelerating the end of extreme poverty.

GD has raised over $1B since launching in 2011 and delivered cash to more than 2 million people in 15 different countries. Weve also supported large-scale experimental research that indicates strong recipient impact of our programs. As a result GD has been celebrated as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company while the growing cash transfer movement (and GDs leading role within it) have been featured in the New York Times Magazine This American Life Foreign Affairs and The Economist.

Our culture is candid analytical agile and non-hierarchical. Our global team of 150 and country operations teams of 650 span 21 different countries and 69 languages. From software engineers to seasoned humanitarian workers management consultants to public servants researchers to field operations -- its an incredible group of people.

Our values are central and deliberately opinionated. We genuinely center the people we serve in our decision-making and strive to build an ambitious dynamic and high-performing environment. We strongly encourage you to read through our values carefully if they reflect how you like to work and energize you this could be a great fit.

We work hard to create an environment in which all our team members can thrive succeed and grow. We support high ownership flexibility take care of each other have fun and create professional growth opportunities.

Level: Director

Reports To: VP Product

Travel: Must be willing to travel to program sites up to 1X per quarter for 1-2 weeks

Job Type: Full Time

Location: This role is fully remote but must overlap with an East Africa timezone by at least 3 hours. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visas in the U.S. or U.K. at this time.

Priority application deadline: Friday May 1 2026 (or until we have a critical mass of applications)

About this role

GiveDirectly has established a Product team responsible for identifying new program areas for exploration and implementation as well as deepening our impact in existing program areas. Products at GiveDirectly are double-sided - serving the needs of our recipients on one side and donors on the other - and include large technology components as well as the careful design of in-person operations. They range from our flagship large lump sum cash work to highly targeted support for specific populations or locations; the Product team works across fundraising program implementation and Research and Technology to build end-to-end programs and bring them to market. This role is responsible for assembling and leading cross-functional teams to drive product development optimization and scale.

They may oversee single products if large and/or complex or a portfolio of products at different stages of development.

Product leads must:

• Be entrepreneurial generalists with capabilities/experience across at least 2 of 3 following areas: software & technology development research & evidence and humanitarian or development program delivery
• Demonstrate strong go-to-market instincts with track record for mobilizing resources around big ideas and opportunities
• Be data driven with excellent altitude awareness - Product leads should be able to flex between big picture vision across multiple contexts and in the weeds data-driven problem solving
• Show discernment and conviction in ambiguity making the hard decisions to say no to things and drive focus
• Have track record of driving big results without direct formal authority (strong influence and high follow through)

Building onrecent evidence that large unconditional cash transfers can significantly reduce infant mortality GiveDirectly is building a Mothers & Babies product that provides large cash transfers to expectant mothers to improve maternal and newborn outcomes. The demands on this product are two-sided: it must deliver a high-quality dignified experience for recipients and build durable donor conviction that this is a top-tier use of philanthropic and (eventually) public funds.

This role will lead the end-to-end product strategy and execution across multiple countries and partnerships assembling and driving a cross-functional team spanning Programs Research/M&E Partnerships and Safeguarding. Youll set the learning agenda pressure-test and iterate on program design and translate evidence and delivery performance into a compelling case and readiness for scale.

What success looks like

By the end of 2026 we can credibly say this works and we can scale it backed by:

• Impact validation: a clear defensible impact story with leading indicators (and a credible path to rigorous evaluation where needed)
• Delivery validation: operational clarity on targeting and verification; reliable on-time payment delivery; a playbook for partnerships with health organizations that works across contexts
• Donor validation: strong donor interest and commitments ideally from both HNW and institutional funders with a robust pipeline and clear requirements for scale (e.g. what it would take for donors to fund at scale)
• Unit economics: a clear model for cost per outcome and the path to improved efficiency at scale including tradeoffs between operating with partners -housing program components
• Scale readiness: a concrete 2027 plan (countries partners operating model tech roadmap resourcing risks)

What youll do:

Set strategy define the hypotheses and drive focus

• Own the product vision and multi-year strategy translating it into annual and quarterly goals and clear go/no-go decision points.
• Define and maintain the core hypotheses that ground GiveDirectlys investment in this product (impact/value feasibility/delivery and growth/fundability) including what evidence would change our confidence.
• Build a crisp roadmap that separates (a) what must be proven (b) what must be built and (c) what must be scaledthen ruthlessly prioritize to match the years goal.

Design and iterate on program model and recipient experience

• Lead program design choices (e.g. transfer size timing/cadence etc) grounded in evidence and operational realities.
• Ensure the program meets a high bar for recipient dignity safeguarding consent and clarity - especially given the sensitivity of pregnancy and newborn outcomes.
• Partner closely with programs teams to identify where reality diverges from our plans diagnose root causes and implement adaptations quickly and thoughtfully.

Build scalable delivery and partnership models

• Identify evaluate and manage partners critical to targeting and outcomes (e.g. community health NGOs health facilities government health systems digital maternal health platforms).
• Define the operating model: what GiveDirectly must do vs. what partners can do better (and cheaper) and how responsibilities incentives data flows and accountability work.
• Develop playbooks for recipient targeting/verification enrollment of pregnant women payment timing troubleshooting and issue escalationthen standardize across countries where appropriate.
• Define the tech needs for delivery and scale (e.g. digital identification/enrollment pathways system integrations with health registries where feasible 2-way messaging for consent/verification automation to reduce delays/failures).

Drive the learning agenda and evidence narrative

• Set the measurement strategy and learning agenda: leading indicators qualitative insight loops and (where appropriate) the path to rigorous evaluation.
• Work with research/MEAL to ensure were collecting the decision-grade evidence we need (not just reporting metrics) including how findings translate into product decisions.
• Package evidence into a narrative that is legible and persuasive to donors partners and policy stakeholderswithout overselling or handwaving uncertainty.

Support fundraising and go-to-market

• Build the products go-to-market posture: positioning target donor segments proof points and the pitch narrative that unlocks scale.
• Partner with fundraising to shape pipeline strategy and support key conversationsespecially where product credibility and evidence are decisive.
• Establish a cadence of tight updates and materials that make it easy for relationship owners to sell the product confidently.

Lead cross-functional execution without formal authority

• Assemble and run a high-performing cross-functional team setting operating rhythms decision forums and clarity on ownership.
• Build alignment across stakeholders (country leadership research fundraising tech) and cleanly escalate when tradeoffs need senior resolution.
• Create an environment of candor high standards and rapid learningwhile operating with care in a sensitive domain.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional alignment to GD values passion for our mission and commitment to recipient dignity and empowerment
• 8 years of professional work experience in similar role or function (product programs business development partnerships)
• Proven leadership ability and management experience in building high performing teams
• Experience working with a distributed team in a multicultural environment
• Interest in working as part of a growing company with awareness about the opportunities and challenges that come with a highly adaptive environment
• Strong succinct communications: Skilled in speaking writing presenting and negotiating across multiple stakeholders
• Analytical problem solver: Looks at problems w/ analytical and iterative mindset with strong framework for prioritization

Compensation

At GiveDirectly we strive to pay our employees generously and equitably. We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to calculate what we believe to be competitive pay based on role location and cost of living. We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles. Read more about our compensation philosophyhere.

Unless otherwise noted the benefits stipend may be used to cover benefits or taken as additional taxable income.

United States

• Base Salary: $128000
• Bonus at Target Performance: 15% ($19200 with potential for upside. For reference with the organizations current performance multiplier this amount would be $22464 in 2025)
• Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $147200
• Annual Benefits Stipend: $21393

United Kingdom

• Base Salary: 87500
• Bonus at Target Performance:15% (13125 with potential for upside. For reference with the organizations current performance multiplier this amount would be 15356 in 2025)
• Estimated Total Compensation at Target:100625
• Annual Benefits Stipend:2760

Kenya

• Base Salary: $101221
• Bonus at Target Performance:15% ($15183 with potential for upside. For reference with the organizations current performance multiplier this amount would be $17764 in 2025)
• Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $116404
• Annual Benefits Stipend:$8453

This role is fully remote so if you are not based in the US UK or Kenya we will share an estimated salary benchmark for the country you are based in during the hiring process.

Why work at GiveDirectly

At GiveDirectly we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team including:

• A positive and supportive team with opportunities for advancement
• A demonstrated commitment to helping all staff develop and grow
• A competitive salary including bonus
• A robust health benefits plan (exact details will vary by country)
• Flexible paid time off
• Allowances for desk set-up and learning and development

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve

#LI-REMOTE

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the persons race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation age marital status veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Flagging for US applicants: We invite you to Know Your Rights as an applicant.

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization working with communities to eliminate extreme poverty GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients staff and partners seriously. To that end GiveDirectly is a member of theMisconduct Disclosure Scheme and will systematically check with previous employers about any abuse or misconduct related matters involving potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens including in-depth reference checks criminal background checks and sanctions screens.

These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we work with and prevent abuse to our recipients and staff.

**GD is committed to observing all local national and international laws that protect people and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to preventing reporting or responding to any form of abuse or exploitation. and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.**

Reasonable Accommodations

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process or to perform the essential functions of the role please email us at with the email subject Accommodation Needed. We will work with you to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to support your needs.

Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application Take a look at our Candidate Application Prep Guide!