Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research, and offering a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non-degree programs that deliver global impact. We invite you to be part of our mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world. The Office of the Dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) seeks an exceptional leader to serve as the Chief Operations & Financial Officer, the school's principal advisor to the Dean on all financial and administrative matters.
This role provides strategic leadership for the school's infrastructure and administrative functions, ensuring that financial, human, and physical resources are aligned with the GSB's mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change the world. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chief Operations & Financial Officer oversees a team of more than 120 employees and works closely with senior leaders across Stanford University. This is an especially exciting moment to join the GSB as it celebrates its centennial and welcomes newly appointed leadership committed to shaping the next decade and beyond.
In addition to overseeing the school's operational enterprise, the Chief Operations & Financial Officer serves as fiduciary for the Stanford GSB Business School Trust, which oversees a diversified portfolio of early-stage and growth investments, guiding long-term strategies that sustain the school's excellence and global impact. Your primary responsibilities* include:
Institutional Leadership & Administration
Serve as the chief steward of the school's operations, providing strategic and operational leadership across finance, human resources, facilities, information technology, faculty support, and compliance. Lead six senior functional heads to ensure alignment, accountability, and excellence across all administrative areas.
Oversee the school's financial and budgetary health, including long-range financial planning, consolidated budget development, capital planning, and endowment and reserve management. Ensure strong financial controls, transparent reporting, and effective forecasting to sustain the school's mission and strategic priorities.
Direct the administrative and organizational infrastructure that supports teaching, research, and community life, including HR operations, performance management, and staff development while championing continuous improvement, service excellence, and a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Lead the planning, development, and maintenance of the school's physical and digital environments, including facilities, safety programs, emergency preparedness, and technology systems. Oversee capital projects, space utilization and continuity of business operations to support a safe, sustainable, and innovative campus.
Partner with faculty and academic administration to ensure classroom, research, and office support needs are met efficiently and effectively.
Represent the GSB in university-wide policy, planning, and operational forums, collaborating with senior university leaders to shape institution-wide administrative initiatives and share best practices.
Fiduciary & Investment Stewardship
Serve as fiduciary for the Stanford GSB Business School Trust, ensuring its investments, programs and distributions advance the school's long-term priorities and financial sustainability.
Oversee the Trust's investment portfolio, including early-stage and growth company holdings, in partnership with external managers, trustees, and advisors.
Provide financial oversight for special programs and initiatives supported by Trust investments, ensuring prudent risk management, transparency, and compliance.
*The above statements reflect the general nature and level of work; they are not an exhaustive list of duties.
To be successful in this position, you will bring:
Bachelor's degree and ten years of relevant experience in administrative, operational and financial management or combination of education and relevant experience.
Mastery across financial stewardship, operational leadership, and investment oversight, with the financial expertise as the essential foundation for this role.
Advanced financial expertise in budget planning, accounting, forecasting, and capital management.
Proven operational leadership experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary administrative functions, with the ability to drive alignment, service excellence, and organizational effectiveness at scale.
Demonstrated excellence in strategic leadership, organizational management, and financial stewardship.
High level of diplomacy in influencing and aligning stakeholders across a complex, matrixed organization.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and alignment at all levels.
Strong analytical rigor, organizational skill, and attention to detail.
Broad understanding of information technology systems and infrastructure.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty and anticipate evolving academic needs.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred.
Experience spanning private, public, or nonprofit sectors, ideally with exposure to higher education or mission-driven organizations.
Familiarity with endowment or trust management and investment governance.
Passion for the mission of higher education and the transformational impact of the Stanford GSB.
The expected pay range for this position is $400,000 to $480,000 per year.
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.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Stanford's dedicated 16,000 staff come from a breadth of educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global sphere. We provide competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our generous perks align with what matters to you:
Freedom to grow. Take advantage of career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
Discovery and fun. Visit campus gardens, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computers, cell phones, recreation, travel, entertainment, and more!
We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.
How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application.
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 its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
Stanford is an equal 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 any 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?
