Application Guide
How to Apply for Program Officer
at GitLab Foundation
🏢 About GitLab Foundation
The GitLab Foundation is unique in its laser focus on increasing lifetime earnings through systemic workforce solutions, combining education, training, and policy change with a measurable goal of helping one million people afford a better life. Unlike traditional foundations, it operates globally with a tech-forward approach, leveraging insights from its connection to GitLab's expertise in digital collaboration and remote work.
About This Role
As a Program Officer at the GitLab Foundation, you'll design and manage initiatives that bridge AI, digital transformation, and workforce development, directly contributing to systems change across employer, policy, and training ecosystems. This part-time role involves identifying high-impact opportunities, building partnerships, and measuring outcomes to scale solutions that boost economic mobility globally.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing data on AI-driven workforce trends to identify grant opportunities, facilitating a virtual meeting with European partners to design a training program, and drafting a proposal that integrates digital tools for skills development. You'll balance strategic planning with hands-on program management, often collaborating remotely with global teams to advance economic mobility initiatives.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who GitLab Foundation Is Looking For
- Has 8+ years in foundation or workforce nonprofit roles, with proven experience designing programs that integrate AI/digital tools into economic opportunity initiatives
- Demonstrates deep, current knowledge of AI applications in workforce development, digital transformation trends, and future-of-work research (e.g., automation impacts, skills gaps)
- Excels at building trust with diverse stakeholders—from policymakers to employers—and can facilitate collaborations that drive systemic change
- Communicates complex ideas about technology and social impact clearly, both in writing (e.g., grant proposals, reports) and verbally (e.g., partner meetings)
📝 Tips for Applying to GitLab Foundation
Highlight specific examples where you've integrated AI or digital tools into workforce/economic programs, quantifying impact if possible (e.g., 'implemented an AI-driven skills assessment that increased participant placement by 30%')
Tailor your resume to emphasize foundation or nonprofit experience focused on economic mobility, using keywords like 'systems change,' 'workforce ecosystems,' and 'lifetime earnings' from the job description
Research and reference GitLab Foundation's existing initiatives (e.g., their global projects or partnerships) to show you understand their approach to scaling impact
Given the part-time nature, explicitly address how you'll manage priorities and deliver outcomes in a flexible, remote-friendly environment (common at GitLab)
Use the cover letter to connect your background to their vision of 'one million more people'—explain how your work has directly contributed to measurable economic improvements
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience with AI/digital transformation in workforce contexts—cite a project where technology advanced economic opportunities', "How you've built and sustained partnerships across sectors (e.g., nonprofits, employers, government) to drive systems change", "Your alignment with the Foundation's global scale and focus on lifetime earnings, referencing specific aspects of their mission that resonate with you", "Why the part-time structure suits your skills and how you'll contribute to their goals efficiently (e.g., remote collaboration, outcome-focused work)"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore the GitLab Foundation's website and recent announcements to understand their current initiatives, partnerships, and geographic focus (e.g., any projects in Germany or Europe)
- → Review GitLab's company culture and remote-work practices, as the Foundation likely shares similar values around transparency and collaboration (e.g., their handbook or blog)
- → Investigate the Foundation's stated goals around 'systems change'—how do they define it, and what strategies have they used previously?
- → Look into workforce and economic mobility trends in Germany or the EU, as local context may be relevant for this role
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without linking your experience to AI/digital transformation in workforce development—this role requires demonstrated fluency in these areas
- Overlooking the part-time aspect by not addressing how you'll manage time or deliver results in a flexible, potentially remote setting
- Failing to show understanding of the Foundation's unique model—e.g., confusing it with GitLab the software company or not referencing their focus on lifetime earnings
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to GitLab Foundation!