Principal Officer, Measurement, Learning & Evaluation
Seattle, WA - USA
Job Summary
The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofitfighting 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 were committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The Team
The U.S. Program (USP) is pursuing Ambition 2045an enterprise-wide effort to accelerate equitable upward mobility through educational attainment. Delivering on it requires a step-change in how the division makes decisions allocates resources and translates evidence into action across a complex interdependent portfolio.The Office of the President (OOP) enables the U.S. Leadership Team (USLT) to operate as a cohesive high-functioning decision body. Within OOP the Measurement Learning & Evaluation (MLE) function is the enterprise capability that synthesizes insights across portfolios strengthens division-wide coherence and ensures forward-looking evidence informs the most consequential strategy and resource allocation decisions.
Application Deadline: Friday July 17 2026.
Your Role
As Principal Officer Measurement Learning & Evaluation (PO) within OOP you will define and steward the division-wide MLE system that enables the U.S. Program Leadership Team (USLT) to make high-quality evidence-informed decisions.
You are accountable for translating signals from across investments and portfolios into a coherent decision-ready view of progress performance and risk against Ambition 2045. That means defining what must be measured how it is standardized and interpreted and how it informs leadership decisionsensuring MLE is not only rigorous but actionable driving changes in strategy investment and execution across the division.
You will work across all priority pillars and strategies to:
Establish division-wide standards guardrails and leadership-level metrics aligned to Ambition 2045
Define how portfolio- and program-level signals are aggregated compared and interpreted
Ensure underlying data tools and processes enable consistent reliable inputs into the system
Synthesize cross-portfolio insights to inform USLT tradeoffs prioritization and resource allocation
Provide visibility into division-level progress risks and opportunities
Ensure decision-grade evidence is available at the right time to support invest scale pivot and stop decisions
Identify and elevate emerging insights and MLE opportunities that materially improve decision quality
You will partner closely with OOP Strategy Planning & Management leadership Program-level DDMLEs and Directors to strengthen integration across strategy learning and decision-making.
What Youll Do
Enterprise Measurement & Impact Architecture
Lead the design and stewardship of the division-wide impact model including shared outcomes leading indicators and performance expectations aligned to Ambition 2045
Define and maintain the ladder of outcomes connecting BOW PST/FST and division-level goals
Establish and govern shared measurement standards definitions and reporting norms across portfolios
Oversee development and continuous improvement of division-wide dashboards and analytical tools that enable cross-portfolio visibility
Advance enterprise approaches to impact accounting predictive modeling and scenario analysis to inform strategic decisions
Cross-Portfolio Insight & Decision Support
Integrate program signals with broader context signals to surface patterns tradeoffs and risks that inform strong division-level decisions
Translate complex evidence into clear decision-relevant insights for USLT and senior leadership
Provide forward-looking decision-aligned analysis to inform division-level decisions on prioritization sequencing and resource allocations
Surface cross-portfolio implications early particularly where strategies are interdependent or competing for resources
Serve as a trusted independent voice in decision-making forums bringing an evidence-based perspective and constructive challenge to consequential decisions
Division-Wide Learning Standards & Capability
Design and facilitate structured forums that embed cross-portfolio learning throughout the strategy and investment lifecycle (e.g. start scale pivot stop)
Monitor external field signals research and emerging trends synthesizing them into strategic foresight that tests assumptions and surfaces risks
Define expectations for core MLE deliverables (e.g. learning agendas dashboards evaluation approaches) and partner with program-level DDMLEs to ensure consistency with context-specific flexibility
Provide leadership across the MLE community of practice driving coherence quality and shared standards
Influence hiring talent development and performance expectations to strengthen enterprise MLE capability
Partner with OOP and SPM leadership on planning and governance rhythms and with the AI Enablement hub on AI-enabled learning systems
Leadership & Culture
Model and reinforce a one-division mindset balancing respect for portfolio ownership with enterprise-level coherence
Promote intellectual honesty constructive challenge and transparency in decision-making forums
Foster a culture that values rigorous inclusive evidenceelevating diverse perspectives and interrogating bias in data and decision-making
Ensure MLE practices reflect principles of equity and inclusion including non-extractive data collection incorporation of lived experience and rigorous attention to bias in analysis and interpretation
Operate effectively in a highly matrixed environment influencing without direct authority over distributed teams
Your Experience
We seek a leader who combines deep technical expertise in measurement and evaluation with strong enterprise judgment and the ability to influence senior leaders in complex environments.
Advanced degree in economics public policy education statistics or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
12 years of experience in measurement evaluation research analytics or related discipline with increasing levels of responsibility.
Demonstrated experience designing and leading complex measurement performance or learning systems at scale.
Deep expertise in impact measurement analytics evidence generation and the application of data to inform strategic decision-making.
Proven ability to synthesize complex information and translate technical findings into actionable insights for senior leaders.
Strong track record of influencing decisions and driving alignment across diverse stakeholders in matrixed and ambiguous environments.
Experience balancing methodological rigor with practical decision-making needs in fast-moving or resource-constrained contexts.
Exceptional communication skills including executive-level presentation facilitation and storytelling.
Enterprise mindset with the ability to connect insights across portfolios functions and systems.
Experience in philanthropy education public sector or other mission-driven organizations preferred.
Leadership Characteristics
Acts as a trusted advisor with discretion to senior leadership
Demonstrates intellectual rigor curiosity and openness to challenge
Champions evidence-informed decision-making and adaptive learning
Builds alignment and trust across diverse teams and perspectives
Operates with humility integrity and a strong commitment to equity
Must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where this position islocated.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 (e.g.: H-1B O-1 L-1E OPT STEM-OPT CPT TN J-1 etc.).
The salary range for this role is $212800 to $329800 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle andWashingtonD.C. where our offices arelocated. The range for this role in these locations is $234000 to $362800 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 andexpertise 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
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. 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.
Required Experience:
Staff IC