Investment Officer, Strategic Market Tools Initiative

Job Description

Seattle, WA
Full time

The Team

In 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation established a Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) with the mandate to use equity, debt and guarantee investment tools to further the philanthropic goals of the organization. Currently investing $2.5B, the fund has become a leader in the “impact investing” industry successfully completing more than 100 investments across a variety of sectors and asset classes. The 14-person investment team is seeking an Investment Officer dedicated to the Strategic Market Tools initiative. The Strategic Market Tools initiative partners with program strategy teams, to structure, negotiate and execute complex transactions with private sector entities, multilaterals and governments. The Officer will focus on the volume guarantee portfolio of investments and will also provide advisory support across the foundation’s program strategies on various structured finance products and/or complex, multi-stakeholder investments.

What You’ll Do

Working with colleagues from the foundation’s strategy program teams, the Investment Officer will:

• Lead and support deal teams consisting of program, legal and other SIF colleagues through all stages of the investment process including initial screening, due diligence and financial analysis, investment structuring and negotiations, and portfolio management.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations to the foundation’s Investment Committee executive leadership when appropriate.
• Alongside foundation program colleagues, actively manage the portfolio of investments to maximize achievement of the foundation’s charitable goals while mitigating risk and exposure to the foundation’s balance sheet.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with key external partners engaged in supporting healthy commodity markets, including companies, donors, UN agencies, other guarantee partners and key implementing partners.
• Ensure high-quality interactions and provide clear and consistent communications with internal and external stakeholders.

Your Experience

We anticipate that the successful candidate will have a demonstrated interest in direct investing along with a belief in the foundation’s mission to drive innovative social impact. The ideal candidate will bring strong transactional experience, strategic problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset.

• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in private investments or strategic partnership roles such as private equity, venture capital, corporate development and business development. Experience in public sector banking and finance and public sector management consulting will also be considered. Exposure to or experience with international development or blended finance is ideal.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling capabilities with the ability to assess risk and return across a variety of investment structures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience communicating to internal leadership and external partners on complex strategic and financial topics.
• Success supporting high-performing, cross-functional teams as they assess emerging strategic and/or financial issues in a complex and evolving environments. Expertise structuring and managing multi-stakeholder financial transactions preferred.
• Able to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team effort. Demonstrated ability to lead and build relationships to gain the respect and trust of others.
• Interest in global health, development, policy and advocacy, ideally with previous experience and exposure to the subject areas of focus of the Global Health or Global Development Programs.
• Demonstrated passion for the foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results against the foundation’s mission.
• The highest personal and professional integrity.

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

The salary range for this role is $208,600 - $323,400 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $227,400 to $352,400 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, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

NOTE: This job notice has an open deadline. Applications will be received until this position is filled.