Chief Executive Officer

We are focused on results. Those that can be measured. And those measured in ways beyond numbers. We see individuals not issues. We are inspired by passion and compassion for the wellbeing of people. Our methods are based on logic driven by rigor results issues and outcomes. Our innovation means trying new things learning from our mistakes and consistently refining our approach. Our strategies help us define our path to success but our effectiveness is based in the aggregate power of our initiatives to impact holistic change.

-Bill Gates

The Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) is a non-profit biopharmaceutical development organization primarily dedicated to the development of impactful biopharmaceutical interventions for diseases that disproportionately affect the worlds poorest populations diseases that combined cause five deaths every in Cambridge MA the Institute is designed to advance novel drug biologics and vaccine candidates through late-stage development and Institute encompasses experienced biopharmaceutical development professionals across regulatory CMC and clinical functions as well as comprehensive operational support Institutes programs are managed by its internal teams and functional areas in collaboration working with partners across the global health ecosystem.

The Institute is based on five core mantras that are embedded within the organization and its people:

• Urgency: Execute with excellence to maximize impact.

• Collaboration: Establish empowered teams to drive our bottom line: lives saved.

• Innovation: Build on the known uncover the new achieve the unprecedented.

• Rigor: Drive the science focus on the details and execute with the highest quality.

• Courage: Dare to confront the worlds most significant global health challenges.

Though the Institute is a diverse group of passionate change-makers creative fixers and relentless advocates these five core values are universally adopted by all who join it with the personal goal of improving the health and wellness of the worlds most vulnerable populations.

As a wholly owned subsidiary and separate legal entity of the Gates Foundation the Institute partners scientifically operationally and financially with the foundation to leverage the foundations ongoing support and contributions toward the achievement of global health equity.

Application Deadline: Tuesday June 9 2026

Your Role

Reporting to the Board of Directors the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will lead Gates MRI through a pivotal evolution of its vision setting a clear strategic direction and ensuring strong alignment with the Gates Foundation and key stakeholders around enterprise priorities.

The CEO will advance Gates MRI as a biopharmaceutical development organization focused on translational programs to late-stage development strengthening its position as a preferred development partner across priority disease area and novel platforms with Program Strategy Teams. This includes building a flexible high-quality and cost-effective development organization that accelerates the translation of scientific innovation across key indications into impactful health solutions through a partnership model

The role requires a credible outcomes-oriented leader who combines scientific rigor with enterprise leadership strengthening the operating model decision governance and performance accountability required to deliver high-quality clinical development particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through a network of strategic partners.

What Youll Do

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Define and execute the Institutes long-term strategy as a development organization aligned with Gates Foundation priorities

• Position Gates MRI as a preferred development partner to internal Program Strategy Teams and external stakeholders in key disease domain areas

• Develop and lead a high-performing executive leadership team while fostering a culture of accountability innovation and operational excellence

Influential Leadership

• Articulate a compelling vision that connects scientific innovation to global health impact aligning teams and partners around shared purpose and outcomes

• Navigate ambiguity and drive clarity across a highly matrixed cross-functional and globally distributed set of partners

• Foster a culture of accountability continuous improvement and measurable outcomes while empowering teams to operate with autonomy

Portfolio & Operational Leadership

• Lead and evolve a lean flexible development organization leveraging a functional service provider (FSP)-based operating model to enable efficient execution

• Oversee a portfolio focused on translational development with targeted full development programs as strategically required.

• Ensure delivery of high-quality cost-effective clinical studies particularly in LMIC settings anchored through strategic partners

• Ensure scientific rigor data integrity and execution excellence across all platform-enabled activities

Partnerships & External Engagement

• Build and lead a networked partner ecosystem spanning biopharma CROs academia global health organizations and in-country institutions

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships that enable Gates MRI to operate as a hub for coordinated development execution

• Structure and oversee partnerships including co-development and public-private collaborations aligned with Foundation priorities

Board & Foundation Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors and Gates Foundation leadership ensuring strong alignment with Foundation strategy governance and priorities

• Provide clear data-driven updates on platform performance portfolio progress risks and opportunities

• Support governance policy development and long-term planning within the context of the broader Gates ecosystem

Financial & Operational Oversight

• Oversee financial strategy ensuring efficient allocation of resources across a lean partner-enabled platform model

• Ensure strong operational systems compliance and global regulatory adherence

• Maintain organizational effectiveness and sustainability

External Representation

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and global ambassador for the Institute

• Strengthen the Institutes reputation as a high-quality execution-focused development partner

• Lead public relations and stakeholder communication efforts

Your Experience

The successful candidate will be an innovative and collaborative leader with demonstrated experience in providing a clear sense of purpose to an organization and its employees. Additionally the successful candidate will be someone with commitment and willingness to uphold the Institutes core values guiding principles and governing policies.

• Advanced degree (PhD MD or equivalent strongly preferred)

• 20 years of experience in global healthcare and/or biopharmaceutical delivery including leadership roles with Board of Directors level accountability

• Strong track record of delivering clinical development programs in LMIC settings through CROs and strategic partners

• Experience working within matrixed organizations with strong governance and stakeholder alignment requirements

• Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships including CROs and regional clinical networks

• Strong business and operational acumen including experience with lean operating models and externalized execution (e.g. FSP models)

• Experience in managing organizational continuity change and transition

• Trustworthy with highest integrity and commitment to ethics

• Demonstrated passion for the Gates MRI values with a commitment to deliver results against our mission

• Excellent communication skills with an ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team internal and external partners

• Flexible and able to multitask; can work within a fast-moving environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrate resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems

The target salary range for this role is $600000 to $900000 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 candidates job-related skills experience and expertise as evaluated during the interview process.

The Gates MRI offers hybrid work arrangements a mix of on-site and work-from-home and a competitive relocation package for those looking to move to the Cambridge MA area. Remote employment is possible with a commitment to a strong on-site presence for this key role.

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

Were 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 processsuch as an ASL interpreter alternative interview format or physical accessibility supportwere happy to help. Please contact 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. Were committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to servein race gender age cultures and beliefsand we support this diversity through all of 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.