Senior Program Officer, Health Innovation and Partnership (Maternal & Women’s Health) at Gates Foundation

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

Since opened our China Office in Beijing in 2007, we have been committed to supporting our Chinese partners as they play an ever-increasing role in improving the health and well-being of people both in China and around the world. Today, China is a key strategic partner on our global health and development goals. We provide financial and technical support to our Chinese partners and build bridges for international collaboration to help them accelerate innovations in health, agricultural development and poverty reduction. We create broad new partnerships to ensure these innovations reach vulnerable populations at scale as quickly as possible. Together we have seen the tremendous impact that life-saving innovations can have when they become available to those most in need.

The China Office is part of the Global Policy and Advocacy (GPA) Division. The mission of the Division is to understand and shape the public policies affecting the foundation's work, build support for its major program and policy objectives, and develop partnerships and alliances that can advance the foundation's objectives nationally and globally. Because the foundation's resources alone are not enough to solve the challenges ahead, GPA also supports advocacy efforts to engage diverse stakeholders and promote innovative solutions that advance our program goals.  We work in close partnership with grantees, our colleagues in the Global Health, Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, and Gender Equality programs and Foundation Communications to build the environment in which all people have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives.

Application Deadline: 22/3/2026

Your Role

The China Health Innovation & Partnership (HIP) team is seeking a 24-month Limited-Term Senior Program Officer (SPO) to advance the foundation’s maternal and women’s health innovation partnerships within China’s academic and industrial ecosystem.

China provides a strong environment for the development and translation of women’s health products for application in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This role will expand the foundation’s engagement across priority domains, including:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding and related underlying conditions

• Menstrual health

• Contraception

• Non-HIV sexually transmitted infections

• Vaginal microbiome research and innovation

While medical training in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) and experience in medical affairs within the pharmaceutical or medical device industry are highly valued, the ideal candidate will also demonstrate strong capability in:

• Scouting and evaluating research and development opportunities

• Building and managing strategic partnerships and alliances

• Shaping and advancing portfolios that accelerate the translation of impactful innovations from China to LMIC markets

This position reports to the Deputy Director, Health, Innovation & Partnership, China Country Office.

What You’ll Do

• A). Asset Scouting & Evaluation

  • Identify and evaluate promising R&D opportunities, with emphasis on innovative diagnostics and treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding and underlying conditions, menstrual health, vaginal microbiome disruptions (vaginal dysbiosis and bacterial vaginosis), non-HIV sexually transmitted infection, and contraception (novel approaches, highly effective non hormonal methods, and innovations in insertions and removal of long acting reversible methods)

  • Conduct rigorous due diligence on scientific, clinical, and commercial potential of opportunities.

  • Develop clear investment cases and partnership structures to advance selected assets.

  B). Partnership Building & Cross-Sector Engagement

  • Build trusted relationships with medical leaders, academic innovators, biotech companies, and funders to catalyze “China for the LMIC” innovation.

  • Forge collaborations with domestic and international innovators to support research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

  • Represent the foundation in engagements with academic and industry partners.

  C). Portfolio Strategy & Execution

  • Shape and manage a portfolio of product development partnerships aligned with global health priorities.

  • Provide strategic guidance on translational development plans; work with internal and external specialists to ensure assets are positioned for global regulatory pathways.

  • Track progress, milestones, and impact metrics to drive portfolio success.

Your Experience

• Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health, Microbiology, Human Health, Pharmacy or related field is required (MBA or dual training is also valued.

• Medical training in Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN), coupled with medical affairs experience in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry is highly valued.

• 10+ years of experience in innovation acceleration, alliance management, R&D strategy, business development, or venture capital, with a strong track record of building partnerships around health product R&D.

• Familiarity with maternal and women’s health innovation and LMIC health needs.

• Demonstrated ability to bridge science and investment, with comfort operating at the interface of biotech innovation, capital markets, and global health needs.

• Commitment to advancing equitable access to healthcare innovations in LMICs, including those for women.

• Demonstrated excellence in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and deal structuring, supported by a strong record of success and impact.

• Exceptional results orientation, combined with innovative and open-minded approach to all aspects of work.

• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain composure in high-pressure or fast-paced situation. Experience working in a highly matrixed environment is desirable.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, for a diverse audience; strong presentation skills, including ability to represent the foundation at external meetings.

• Fluency in English and Chinese required.

Other Attributes

• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.

• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.

• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

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.