🌍🧬 The Gates Foundation is looking for a Director, Accelerator – Global Health to lead its technology innovation team, identifying and advancing breakthrough platforms with the potential to transform global health.

📍 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
💼 Employment: Full-time
🗓️ Start date: Not specified in the advert

🔬 Main responsibilities
Set the strategic direction and investment priorities of the Accelerator. Identify and assess highly innovative scientific and technology platforms with breakthrough potential. Lead the Activator, supporting early-stage “seedling” ideas from initial hypotheses through proof-of-concept. Make high-conviction decisions about what to fund, scale or stop, balancing scientific, technical and execution risks. Build and lead a high-performing, entrepreneurial team of scientists and programme leaders. Develop partnerships with biotech, pharmaceutical, academic and venture-capital organisations. Help promising technologies progress from proof-of-concept towards real-world products. Report on the Accelerator's portfolio and strategy to senior Gates Foundation leadership.

🎓 Profile
MD, PhD or equivalent demonstrated expertise in a relevant life-sciences/biomedical discipline. Strong track record as a serial entrepreneur or venture builder, having founded/co-founded or led multiple biotech or health-tech ventures. Experience taking novel science from concept through proof-of-concept, financing and/or clinical validation. Direct experience evaluating early-stage science and technology as an investor, technical diligence lead or venture partner. Deep technical expertise in one or more breakthrough areas such as gene-based therapeutics, synthetic biology, AI-enabled drug discovery, diagnostics or biologics. Experience building and leading multidisciplinary technical teams. Strong network across biotech, pharma, academia and venture capital. Excellent judgement and communication skills, including the ability to explain bold scientific investments to senior non-technical leaders.

⭐ Additional advantages: Experience in foundations/global health, board experience with early-stage biotech or health-tech companies, experience running an accelerator/venture studio, knowledge of health systems in low- and middle-income countries, and an established network of scientific founders, technologists and investors.

📌 Application deadline: 30 September 2026: https://gatesfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Gates/job/Seattle-WA/Director--Accelerator--Global-Health_B021742