Main work location: Stanford main campus. Hybrid work schedule: 2-3 days per week on-site.
HOW TO APPLY: Along with your resume, include a cover letter describing your interest in the role.
The Stanford University Graduate School of Education (GSE) is seeking a full-time Director of Development to work with the Associate Dean for External Relations to lead development efforts and execution of campaign activities and fundraising goals for the school. The Director of Development will oversee major gifts and lead the team of gift officers supporting corporate and foundation relations, planned giving and leadership annual giving.
ABOUT US
The Stanford University Graduate School of Education (GSE)is dedicated to solving education's greatest challenges. Through rigorous research, model training programs and partnerships with educators worldwide, we're pursuing equitable, accessible and effective learning for all.
The GSE is a top-ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice and policy. Our community includes over 60 faculty, 400 students, 200 staff, 14,000 alumni and countless people from the local and global communities we work with and impact.
The GSE's External Relations team promotes the people, places, and pursuits of the Graduate School of Education by illuminating the achievements and goals of the school; engaging supporters in philanthropic opportunities; and facilitating participation by alums, donors, and friends in the life of the GSE. The Director of Development is a member of External Relations' senior leadership team and is vital in connecting the Graduate School of Education with Stanford University and beyond.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Associate Dean for External Relations, the Director for Development will develop and execute major gift fundraising strategies and accomplish the GSE's capital campaign and ongoing fundraising goals. This position will manage a portfolio of major gift donors while overseeing a team of gift officers whose portfolios are integral to the success of school-wide major giving. The Director of Development also will engage the school's alumni by seeking their participation as volunteers, advocates and donors.
In this role, you will:
Manage a major gift portfolio and direct the efforts of major and leadership annual gifts officers.
Plan and implement the GSE's major gift fundraising plans and strategies.
Work with volunteers and faculty to develop goals and fundraising activities.
Provide opportunities for professional growth focusing on retention to increases capacity and stability of the team.
Inspire and motivate staff by fostering a work environment that encourages new ideas, risk-taking, team-based efforts, celebrating current achievements and setting/meeting philanthropic goals.
Hire and retain staff, offer career coaching, encourage professional development and guide performance of direct reports.
Ensure appropriate resources are allocated towards programs, resolve internal allocation issues.
Additional responsibilities include:
Personally manage a portfolio of high potential individual prospects through the discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship cycles. Forge long-term relationships with these individuals to cultivate their interest in Stanford that will lead to gifts in the seven- and eight-figure range.
Provide strategic fundraising support to the Dean of the GSE and Associate Dean for External Relations and faculty leaders as appropriate.
Supervise GSE's development officers who focus on individual, planned giving, and corporate and foundation fundraising; lead staff to advance GSE relationships and solicitations, develop and support gift officer's achievement of annual fundraising goals; leverage and ensure alignment of fundraising activities by gift officers.
Convene regular team meetings and organize team-building activities to encourage collaboration and open communication; create a culture of celebration where accomplishments such as meeting fundraising goals are consistently acknowledged and celebrated.
Monitor performance and offer mentoring and coaching options as requested by team members or suggested by the Associate Dean for External Relations.
Facilitate and support capital campaign and fundraising activities by the GSE Advisory Council; coordinate with GSE faculty, staff and volunteers on the Stanford Accelerator for Learning; facilitate relationships between potential and current GSE donors and volunteers; work closely with faculty leadership to build relationships between potential donors and faculty.
Collaborate with other staff, academic leaders, and faculty to develop gift ideas and strategies and to foster relationships that will be productive for Stanford.
Maintain a current body of knowledge about GSE priorities, particularly those elevated by the dean and faculty leaders.
Become a go-to context expert on the GSE and its initiatives and serve as first author and strategist on complex, lead gifts.
Work in collaboration with the GSE Donor Relations team to delight targeted SAL donors with meaningful stewardship opportunities.
Other duties may also be assigned.
To be successful in this position, you will bring:
Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience and management experience, preferably in an educational institution or nonprofit, or a combination of relevant experience and education.
Demonstrated fundraising experience, sensitivity, and diplomacy.
Excellent judgement, interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to lead and motivate others and earn the respect of associates at all levels.
Strategic skills to craft and help implement fundraising plans.
Demonstrated managerial talent in guiding major gifts efforts.
Customer service expertise serving faculty.
Proven ability to meet fundraising goals with a strong track record in managing and balancing donor and faculty relationships.
Ability to manage a large number of fundraising activities simultaneously.
Solid verbal and written communication skills.
Effective management experience and excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated experience recruiting, evaluating, mentoring, and placing staff.
Demonstrated experience engaging and motivating groups of diverse individuals, including strong volunteer management skills.
Preferred qualifications:
Ability to develop long-term relationships with major level donors and prospects, as well as a proven track record of success in personally cultivating, soliciting and stewarding seven- and eight-figure gifts.
Creative problem-solving with strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
Proven ability to achieve results working through others - facilitating and enabling others to act will be as important as actions taken directly.
The credibility, sound judgement and capacity to engage, inspire and persuade faculty, university administrators, donors, volunteers and colleagues.
Proven skills in managing several competing priorities and complex issues creatively and effectively. This may include long-range strategic fundraising, donor development, and volunteer engagement with the day-to-day operations.
Demonstrated experience engaging and motivating groups of diverse individuals.
Ability to meet deadlines and function effectively in an environment demanding a high energy level, discretion, flexibility, and superior work.
Proven ability to make independent decisions.
Experience working in an academic environment and staffing senior academic leaders on donor calls as well as at volunteer meetings and events is desirable.
Previous experience in a campaign is also highly desirable.
The expected pay range for this position is $156k to $205k per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
WHY STANFORD IS FOR YOU: Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with any disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Stanford is an equal opportunity employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or another other characteristic protected by law.
Why work at Stanford?Stanford University has changed the world, over and over again.We are one of Silicon Valley's largest employers - and also one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At the same time, our traditions of respect and collaboration sustain a humane, supportive environment in which to pursue your life and your career.At Stanford you'll work with bright, diverse, dedicated people. You'll find encouragement to learn and grow. You'll enjoy excellent benefits and an outstanding environment. How will it change you?
