Assistant Director of Development

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) is seeking an Assistant Director of Development to advance fundraising and donor engagement. Reporting to the Senior Director, you will manage a portfolio of leadership-level donors, coordinate board activities, and partner with Stanford’s Office of Development to align program goals with university giving objectives.

The role emphasizes strategic analysis, relationship-building, and project management to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or a combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently, juggle tasks, meet deadlines, and achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop fundraising strategies based on analysis and monitor results for internal and external stakeholders.
• Steward relationships to maximize engagement, renewals, and solicit gifts.
• Coordinate donor activities and prepare briefings for events and board meetings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Time management

Detail orientation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years relevant experience

Job description

WORK SCHEDULE:

Work Schedule: Hybrid work arrangement with at least 3 days per week on-site.

BUDGETED SALARY:

$96,592 - $160,000

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

The Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) is Stanford University’s premier institute for the study of economic policy. For more than 40 years, SIEPR has advanced rigorous, nonpartisan research that informs evidence-based policy solutions, develops the next generation of scholars and leaders, and addresses some of the world’s most pressing economic challenges. SIEPR is committed to supporting research across a broad range of economic policy issues while convening leaders from academia, government, and business to foster informed dialogue and innovative solutions. The institute also inspires and prepares the next generation of economists and policy experts through research opportunities, mentorship, and academic engagement. Through these efforts, SIEPR advances its vision of improving lives by making economic policy more effective, equitable, and informed.

POSITION SUMMARY:

SIEPR is seeking an Assistant Director of Development to support the institute’s strategic fundraising efforts. The Assistant Director of Development plays an important role in SIEPR’s fundraising program, with responsibility for a portfolio of leadership-level donors and prospects and for supporting the engagement and operations of the SIEPR Advisory Board. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, the Assistant Director will help coordinate board and committee meetings, support board recruitment and onboarding, and execute strategies to strengthen board engagement and advance SIEPR’s fundraising priorities.

The Assistant Director will also manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects, developing and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to build relationships and secure philanthropic support. Working closely with the Senior Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, SIEPR leadership and faculty, and Stanford’s Office of Development, the Assistant Director will identify philanthropic opportunities, coordinate donor engagement and solicitations, and connect donors with SIEPR’s faculty, research, and strategic initiatives.

The position will contribute to broader development operations by preparing donor and event briefings, coordinating with prospect research, managing fundraising and portfolio reports, maintaining donor and prospect information, and coordinating donor-related aspects of SIEPR events. The Assistant Director will also analyze donor data and fundraising trends to identify opportunities for engagement, inform prospect strategy, and support SIEPR’s development planning and fundraising priorities.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, collaborative, analytical, and relationship-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently while working effectively with faculty, volunteers, university leadership, donors, and colleagues across Stanford. They will possess excellent communication and project management skills, exercise sound judgment and discretion, and bring a strong commitment to building meaningful donor and volunteer relationships that contribute to SIEPR’s long-term philanthropic success.

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Based on fundraising analysis, develop strategies for developmentactivities, solicitation assignments, and progress. Monitor, analyze,and report on overall results to internal and externalconstituencies.

• Steward and manage established relationships to maximizeengagement, renew annual giving, and present new opportunities;cultivate and solicit gifts to the university.

• Stay informed on current university initiatives andactivities.

• Implement and manage programs to involve targeted populations infundraising and volunteer activities.

• Design, craft, and manage language for the annual giving appeals,and ensure the project is completed.

• Design and manage appeals (e.g., direct mail, email, video,phone, and other channels) to target key populations to maximizefundraising potential.

• Work with a portfolio of assigned prospects to cultivate,solicit, and steward their support.

• Establish ongoing relationships with individual alumni throughpersonal visits, phone calls, and meaningful contacts.

• Work with staff, donors, volunteers, and other university staffto assist in establishing and maintaining relationships with alluniversity constituencies.

• Prioritize prospects, prepare background information, makevolunteer assignments as appropriate, and follow up with volunteers toensure completion of assigned solicitations.

• Work closely with other colleagues in development to alignprogram goals with the overall giving goals of the university’sdevelopment organization.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience orcombination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work efficiently, juggle tasks simultaneously, meetdeadlines, and achieve goals.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to interact with awide range of people.

• Outstanding communication skills and exceptional attention todetail and follow-through.

• Ability to effectively communicate with both internal andexternal constituents.

• Demonstrate a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplaceculture where all employees feel valued, respected, andempowered.