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 like no other. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in service of our mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world. We invite you to be part of this mission.
The Director of Donor Relations and Development Communications in the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) seeks an Associate Director, Donor Experience. The Associate Director will work with key stakeholders in the GSB and university Office of Development to engage and steward the business school's principal gift donors in a dynamic environment. The Associate Director leads the creation and implementation of programs, collateral, and communications to elevate principal gift donor relations activities.
Your primary responsibilities include:
- Lead donor relations strategy for principal gifts donors by working closely with key stakeholders across GSB Development and the central university Office of Development (OOD) to strategically design, create, and implement detailed top-donor stewardship plans, including mapping out reporting, touchpoints, and events over short-term and longer-term timelines for GSB principal gift donors.
- Act as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership (GSB Principal Gifts, GSB Dean's office, GSB faculty leaders, University Principal Gifts, OOD leaders). Develop and implement related and complementary stewardship touchpoints and engagement strategies for multi-generational alumni/donor families, emerging philanthropic leaders, and, when helpful, principally-rated constituents who are currently giving at the major gifts level. Identify opportunities for above-and-beyond touchpoints, celebrations, and collateral to engage and inspire the GSB's most generous donors.
- Lead the research, development, and production of highly customized and compelling stewardship reports - via incorporating the GSB Dean's voice and input, inspiring storytelling, in-depth interviews with GSB faculty and students, and interactive features - and utilizing additional design and writing expertise when necessary. Write detailed stewardship reports with broader dissemination in mind for repurposing within Donor Relations and Development Communications for other stewardship collateral as well as future principal gift and major gift proposals. Partner with University Principal Gifts, Central Donor Relations, and other schools and units around stewardship practices to help ensure the best possible donor experience across the university.
- Lead, manage and implement programs that streamline and elevate principal gift reporting and donor engagement, including: Briefings for the GSB Dean, university leadership, and key volunteers leading peer-to-peer solicitations; Dean's correspondence in coordination with Dean's office, Dean's Communications team, and gift officers; Collateral that articulates the impact and potential of transformative gifts to the GSB in partnership with GSB Marketing and Communications, Campaign Operations, Central OOD, and others.
- Manage relationships and collaborate with key GSB internal stakeholders. Partner closely with multiple External Relations teams to ensure integrated messaging and shared experiences across programs. Serve as a resource and close strategic partner to GSB Principal Gifts by building relationships and meeting regularly with gift officers. Work closely with the GSB Dean's office, GSB Finance, and program staff to help ensure transformative gifts are implemented and utilized in accordance with donor expectations and university policy in a timely manner through the strategic creation of gift funds and close monitoring of gift fund expenditures.
- Direct the creation, scaling, execution, and management of a Principal Gifts campaign donor cohort, including overseeing the related collateral and programming, as part of the GSB's second century.
- Optimize use of university database for alumni/donor records, systems, and internal GSB processes for planning and record-keeping to develop, track, and analyze progress and results of Principal Gifts donor relations activities to guide decision-making.
- Source, assess, and contract with freelance vendors as needed (writers, graphic designers, videographers, event planners, etc.).
To be successful in this position, you will bring:
- Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
- Ability to understand and articulate how donor relations supports and advances the broader fundraising agenda.
- Demonstrated project management skills.
- Strong client service orientation and attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, and professionalism to interact with a wide range of people at different levels of an organization.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to edit high-level correspondence.
- Demonstrated experience leading project teams.
- Proven ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple priorities, with competing deadlines.
- Must be able to find and interpret relevant information.
- Demonstrated sound judgment in situations requiring independent decision-making and in handling confidential and sensitive material.
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule.
- May require working flexible hours, including nights and weekends.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
- Demonstrated success leveraging leadership and influence skills to strategically motivate constituencies towards fundraising goals is highly preferred.
- Excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills are highly preferred.
- Demonstrated success in navigating ambiguity is highly desired.
- Subject matter expertise related to Stanford processes, systems, and academic mission preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial data and systems preferred.
- The ability to apply innovative approaches to problem-solving is highly desirable.
The expected pay range for this position is $122,000 to $162,000 per year.
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.
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.
Why Stanford is for You
Stanford's dedicated 16,000 staff come from diverse 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.
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.
Additional Information
- Schedule: Full-time
- Job Code: 4323
- Employee Status: Regular
- Grade: J
- Requisition ID: 104283
- Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible
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