Cause Prioritization Lead

About GiveWell

GiveWell researches the most cost-effective ways to save and improve lives, sharing findings openly and directing donations to high-impact programs. Operating with tens of thousands of donors, GiveWell has grown from directing $1.5 million in 2010 to over $400 million in 2025, with anticipated grantmaking approaching or exceeding $1 billion in the current year.

The Role

We are seeking a Cause Prioritization Lead to own and improve our cause prioritization process, develop a portfolio of early-stage grants across emerging cause areas, and rapidly respond to promising new opportunities. You will join at Senior Program Officer level within our New Areas team, building and leading a sub-team while reporting to the New Areas team lead.

Key Responsibilities

• Improve GiveWell's cause prioritization process to identify emerging grantmaking opportunities, combining evidence, cost-effectiveness modelling, and rigorous judgment while remaining responsive to new information and external feedback
• Oversee grant investigations and management across highest-priority emerging cause areas; build research agendas to address key uncertainties through initial grants
• Communicate externally and build networks across implementers, funders, and academia to source ideas and identify promising cause areas
• Lead and manage a team, supporting professional development and fostering an agile, innovation-focused culture
• Directly investigate complex grantmaking opportunities and programs newer to GiveWell's portfolio

What You'll Bring

As part of our lean research team, you will have outsized influence on funding decisions with global impact. You'll combine rigorous evidence review, cost-effectiveness modeling, and thoughtful judgment to answer complex questions and inform high-impact grantmaking decisions.