Associate Dean, Development

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 252,660 - 314,186; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability seeks an Associate Dean for Development to lead fundraising and donor engagement, shaping strategy with senior leaders and managing a high-impact team on a global scale.

The role requires a strong track record in major gifts, alliance-building, and program leadership, with a focus on advancing SDSS priorities in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and twelve years of relevant experience with management experience.
• Proven fundraising experience and ability to lead complex programs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to build influence across schools, institutes, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted senior advisor to the Dean on development strategy and donor engagement.
• Lead fundraising initiatives and manage a portfolio of high-level gifts.
• Oversee development staff and ensure program delivery, budgeting, and accountability.
• Collaborate with leadership to advance SDSS priorities and alumni engagement.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Strategic leadership

Donor cultivation

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact through research and education: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here.

The Associate Dean for Development (AD) is a key member of the SDSS senior leadership team and works directly with the Dean. The AD reports to the Dean and collaborates closely with the Associate Vice President in the Office of Development. This role entails overseeing teams in development, alumni relations, and stewardship for the Doerr School of Sustainability.

We are looking for an exceptional candidate to fill this high-visibility position—an adaptable senior leader who will excel in crafting overall development strategies for the school, in guiding a strong team of development professionals, and in executing on the strategy to achieve the school’s development goals. The associate dean will also serve as a close partner with the dean in forging trusting relationships with key prospective donors and provide advice on all aspects of development strategy and donor engagement. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environment and can effectively build strong relationships within the team, the School, and the Stanford campus. This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in the success of a new school at one of the world’s leading research universities and contribute to building a more sustainable future for people and the planet.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Partnerships

• Serve as a trusted senior advisor to the Dean on development strategy, fundraising programmatic and policy development, negotiating and influencing university-wide initiatives that impact SDSS.
• Collaborate with academic leadership, including institute directors, department chairs and managers, to foster the long-term strategic vision and implementation of development plans for the school.

Major Initiatives and Fund-Raising Strategy

• Champion high-visibility major initiatives and innovation projects that further the mission of SDSS.
• Exercise strategic management of development and fundraising goals and activities, efficiently cultivating and soliciting high-level gifts to the university.
• Oversee a team of development staff and engage directly with an active portfolio of donors, cultivating relationships, and stewarding support to enhance engagement and financial contributions.
• Collaborate with volunteers, faculty, and senior leaders on innovative fundraising initiatives, developing comprehensive plans for effective implementation.

Collaboration and Engagement

• Partner with the Dean’s leadership team and the Office of Development to advance programs that highlight SDSS’s strengths and support the Dean’s priorities.
• Lead initiatives to engage alumni and donors, aiming to meet significant fundraising goals and strengthen relationships.

Team Management and Resource Management

• Directly lead and oversee the SDSS development leadership team, providing guidance and support to achieve departmental goals.
• Responsible for hiring, retaining, and developing staff, including career coaching and personal development for direct reports.
• Foster a culture of accountability and high performance, regularly assessing and managing employee performance.
• Oversee the allocation of resources, ensuring financial viability and sustainability of the organization. Manage the consolidated annual budget plan for the team.

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.

Qualifications

To be successful in this position, you will need

• Bachelor’s degree and twelve years of relevant experience and management experience, preferably in an education institution or nonprofit or combination of education and relevant experience
• Demonstrated fundraising experience, sensitivity, and diplomacy.
• Excellent judgment, 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.

In addition, our preferred qualifications include

• Significant experience leading fundraising program strategy and implementation, including at least ten years in a leadership role, preferably as senior development leader in a non-profit or higher education setting, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ability to effectively develop strong cross-functional partnerships, evidenced by a track record of teamwork and collegiality with cross-functional teams and building relationships.
• Considerable experience as an inspirational manager who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence.
• Interest in and ability to become facile with relevant areas of scholarship.
• Ability to influence people, solve problems, trouble shoot, think creatively and resolve conflicts. Strong interpersonal skills, political acumen, and executive presence.
• Ability to manage large and complex issues with diverse and competing interests.
• High tolerance for ambiguity.

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.

The expected pay range for this position is $252,660 to $314,186 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.

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.