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 Exemplars in Global Health (EGH) program equips decision-makers with the evidence, insights, and practical “know-how” needed to accelerate and scale interventions that improve the health of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Working with a global network of partners, EGH identifies and studies exemplars and best practices across health outcomes, primary health care systems, and service delivery strategies.
Through rigorous research, evidence synthesis, and timely analysis, EGH translates lessons from what works into actionable insights that help policymakers, practitioners, and funders strengthen systems, improve service delivery, and address pressing global health challenges.
We pursue this through:
1) The study of “positive outliers”—identifying countries or regions that have achieved exceptional progress in health outcomes and analyzing the drivers behind their success;
2) The study of emerging practices with global learning value, using prospective research and real-time analytics alongside implementation to meet the ambition of ‘learning by doing’;
3) The provision of internal advisory services to support teams in pursuit of the Foundation’s three goals toward 2045; and
4) External partnerships to scale exemplary practices with governments, policymakers, global health initiatives, and multilateral development banks.
Your Role
The Deputy Director, AI & Digital HealthEvidence & Learningrolewill lead an ambitious researchand learning agenda that supports the foundation and its partners in achieving 2045 goals through a unique mandateofleveraging AI & Digital Healthto serve the world’s most vulnerable populations The role will drive the generation, synthesis, and application of evidence and global learning. The position reports to the EGH Director andoverseestheAI & Digital HealthEvidence & Learningsub-team.
The Deputy Director(DD)leads the design andexecutionof EGH’sAIanddigital healthresearch and learningagenda, with a focus on harnessing digital innovation and artificial intelligence to accelerateimprovement of health outcomesamongthe world’s most vulnerable. This roleis responsible foridentifyinghigh-value learning questions, shaping innovation priorities, and ensuring rapid generation and application of evidence to improve service delivery, health outcomes, and equity.
The roleworks at the intersection of innovation, evidence, and implementation, partnering closely withfoundationcountry offices, technical teams, and external partnersaliketo test,evaluate,refine, and scalenew approaches This includes advancingcutting-edgedigital and AI-enabled solutions—such as clinical decision support, workflow optimization, and patient engagement tools—that strengthen overstretched health systems and expand access to quality care.It alsocomprisesdigital and AI tools thatcan shiftthe fundamental coststructureof health systems administration for better decision-making andvisibility on performance.
A core focus of the role is ensuring that innovation efforts are rigorously evaluated and continuously improved, with a strong emphasis on rapid learning cycles, measurement, and adaptation. The DD brings the best global evidence and emerging practices—across countries and technologies—into program design and execution, enabling faster diffusion of what works.
The role also plays a key part in shaping the foundation’s approach to responsible and equitableAI, ensuring thatnew technologiesare designed and deployed tobenefitunderserved populations. Working across teams and with strategic partners, the DD helps translate innovation into scalable solutions that extend the reach of limited health system resources and unlock new pathways to impact.
This role will work matrixed to other EGH sub-teams, Africaand India Offices,and foundationProgramStrategyTeams(PST), lending significant AIand DigitalHealthexpertiseto PHC, health systemsand vertical health outcome efforts.
As a member of the EGH leadership team, the Deputy Director will lead a multidisciplinary group of technical experts acrossAI and digitalhealth subdomains, fostering analytical rigor, technical excellence, and innovation while ensuring alignment with broader EGH and foundation priorities.
What You'll Do
Hold accountability for EGH'scontributions inAI anddigitalhealth, serving as a trusted advisor to the Director and other foundation leadersin relatedstrategy, evidence, and impact.
Leadimplementationresearch and evidence generation on how AI anddigital healthstrengthen health systems, improveprimary health care delivery, and enableeffective bidirectional engagement between primary care platforms and priority health areas.
Maintain current knowledge of therapidlyevolving landscape of digital and AI applications relevant to health systems.
Provide strategic leadership in synthesizing complex evidence, shaping investment and research priorities, and ensuring that research outputs meaningfully inform policy, program design, and decision-making, including synthesizing evidence across geographies and health system contexts to surface lessons on when and how digital and AI innovations can strengthen health systems and when they do not.
Lead a sub-team of technical expertson thecutting edgeof AI and digital deployment in real world, LMIC settings Foster analytical rigor and technical excellence while ensuring alignment with broader EGH andfoundationobjectives Build a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborativeteamculture.
Serve as a recognized thought leader in the sector,identifyingand cultivating new opportunities for EGH partnershipsand influencein AI and digital innovation,in collaboration with the Deputy DirectorofPolicy, Partnerships and Communications, and other colleagues across thefoundation.Develop strong relationships withtechnology outfits,academic researchers, partner organizations, and global health decision-makers
Manage strategic relationships with keyfoundation teams, in particular Africa, India, and South and SouthAsiaoffices, whilemaintainingstrong connections with other teamsrequiringAI &digitalhealthexpertise(particularly testing and learning approaches, and evidence from real world deployment)to achieve their goals Develop a deep understanding ofother teamstrategies and serve as a thought partner in shaping future directions andidentifyingopportunities for collaboration.
Build,maintainand manage strategic partnerships with external stakeholders including governments, global health institutions, development banks, philanthropic partners, and frontier labs.
Communicate complex technical concepts (AI, digital health) in clear, compelling ways for diverse audiences, from frontline implementers to senior leaders Ensure a broad set of foundation teams and leaders are up to date with EGH AI &digitalhealthcontributions, given speed,jumpsandpivots expected from a high-visibility portfolio.
Allocate resources—including budget and headcount—across strategic priorities to maximizeEGH contributioninAI & DigitalHealth Regularly assess projects and investments through an impact-focused lens, making intentional trade-offs and working across the matrix tooptimizeresources,leveragesynergies, and strengthen overall portfolio effectiveness.
Serve as a member of the EGH leadership team, contributing to strategic decisions across portfolios, advising on organizational and talent matters, helping navigate trade-offs, and providing counsel to the Director on priorities and direction.
Your Experience
Domainexpertiseindigital deploymentwithinhealth systemsservice deliveryrequired(15+ years), including newer experience with theintroduction ofAI enabled tools
5+ years in leadership roles with significant managementresponsibility, including building and managing senior-level teams.Track recordof driving strategy and holding accountability for team performance, including budget oversight.
Significantresearch and MLE backgroundrelated to the effectiveness of digital and AI in healthResearchfocuson health systems and primary health care preferredExperience with cost-effectiveness andimplementation researcha plus.
Strongtrack recordintranslatingevidence and technical insights into actionable recommendations for policymakers and other decision-makers.
Deepexperienceleadingto research, learning, and knowledge-generation efforts, including familiarity with research methods, evidence synthesis, and analytical approaches
Demonstrated experience working in low- and middle-income countries, with substantial experience in Sub-Saharan Africa strongly preferred.
YourCapabilities
Strategic Leadership and Innovation:Identifiesemerging opportunities and risks in AI and digital innovation, shaping strategy and translating technological advances into meaningful health impact.
Technical Credibility and Judgment: Combines strong technical understanding with evidence-based decision-making to guide investments, research priorities, and opportunities for scale.
Analytic Proficiency: Strongproficiencyin mixed-methods research, including design, analysis, and synthesis for research efforts, with particular focus on implementation research.
Collaboration and Matrix Leadership: Excels in complex matrixed environments, aligning diverse stakeholders and driving clarity, accountability, and results.
Stakeholder Influence and Partnership Building: Builds trusted relationships acrossfoundation teams, governments, implementing partners, academia, and technology organizations to advance shared goals.
Executive Communication and Thought Leadership: Communicates complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences, from implementers to senior leaders.
People Leadership: Builds and develops high-performing, inclusive teams while fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Strategic Prioritization and Adaptability: Makes sound trade-offs,allocatesresources effectively, and thrives in a rapidly evolving and highly visible field.
Interpersonal Effectiveness. Ability to build trust, influence without direct authority, and balance strategic rigor with practical execution
Positive Mindset. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, humility, integrity, and a commitment to collaboration, equity, and inclusion
CompetenciesforallseniorEGHroles:
INVESTING FOR IMPACT: builds and manages partnerships to achieve goals; evaluations and manages potential risks of investmentsand projects; designs and implements portfolios aligned with the strategy; gains clarity between the foundation and the partner on a shared set ofoutcomes.
LEADING YOURSELF & OTHERS: communicates complex information and concepts simply; manages partner relationships and provides internal and external thought leadership; setshigh goalsfor accomplishment andis able towork independently as well as with others to meet thosegoals.
COLLABORATING WITH PARTNERS: collaborates with potential partners in developing projects and proposals and in supporting the execution of their work; effectivelyrepresentsand communicates the complexity of the foundation's work and details of strategy;representsthe foundation to key external constituencies relevant to their area ofexpertise.
ADVANCING THE FIELD: creates collaborations among partners, governments, and funds to create systemic change in a field, with a lens ondevelopingthe evidence and learning most needed to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: applies and translates specialized technical knowledge andexpertisein a relevant area of work in support of our strategies
*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 (eg H-1B, O-1, L-1, E, OPT, STEM-OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.).
The salary range for this role is $238,400 to $303,900 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle andWashingtonD.C., where our offices arelocated The range for this role in these locations is $262,200 to $406,400 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, andexpertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
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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 HR@gatesfoundation.org 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.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
