Communications and Special Projects Director, IFDM

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University is seeking a Communications and Special Projects Director for the Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in Stanford, CA. The role leads communication efforts across IFDM programs, shaping messaging for diverse external audiences with expertise in digital channels, media relations, marketing, and thought leadership.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with eight years of related experience, plus outstanding writing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal communications groups across campus.
• Proven management experience building and sustaining a best-in-class communications team.
• Ability to synthesize complex materials and communicate clearly.
• Experience with project management and handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Attention to detail with high accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead communication deliverables in an area of expertise or for a unit or complex program.
• Oversee and/or develop complex communications for various content delivery channels.
• Oversee and/or develop and design complex or highly visible communications.
• Support the development of strategic direction and implementation of long- and short-term communication plans with direct impact to a unit or program.
• Evaluate potential vendors’ quality, process, and cost and either make a selection or recommendation.
• Maintain knowledge by attending webinars, conferences, networking etc. to remain at the forefront of current industry standards, trends and technology.
• Analyze data and curate illustrations, photos, and pictures for assignments.
• May oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.
• Work in collaboration with Institutional Communicators on media relations content and other areas.

Skills

Excellent communication

Cross-campus collaboration

Team management

Interpersonal skills

Synthesize complex info

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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. Success at the GSB is defined by The GSB Way - a commitment to shared purpose, community, and excellence in all that we do. We seek individuals who elevate themselves and those around them through the practice of academic candor, generous collaboration, and bringing curiosity and rigor to solving meaningful problems. At the GSB, impact means taking ownership, and contributing to a purpose-driven, collaborative, and high-performing community in service to the institution’s mission.

Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM) is recruiting a Communications and Special Projects Director based at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in Stanford, CA. IFDM is spearheading efforts to change the future for people worldwide through financial literacy. IFDM believes in equipping people with the skills to make informed financial decisions. Despite the growth of personal finance education, many challenges remain. IFDM is working to promote personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation, encouraging more universities to offer relevant courses and employers to provide financial literacy programs. It is also collaborating with thought leaders, policymakers, and the financial and tech industry.

The Communications and Special Projects Director leads communication and outreach across the full spectrum of IFDM programs and initiatives. This position requires expertise in multiple areas of communication, including digital channels, media relations, marketing, executive communication, and thought leadership. Additionally, the Communications and Special Projects Director is accountable for driving all IFDM communication, marketing, and special projects. This complex undertaking requires the ability to navigate detailed economic and financial language and provide targeted, relatable information for all external audiences. Close coordination with all IFDM directors is essential to deliver the right messages to the right stakeholders, aligned with IFDM’s mission. This role is part of IFDM's leadership team. The budgeted salary range for this role is: $130220-$180,000 per year.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Lead communication deliverables in an area of expertise or for aunit or complex program.


• Oversee and/or develop complex communications for various contentdelivery channels.


• Oversee and/or develop and design complex or highly visiblecommunications.


• Support the development of strategic direction and implementationof long- and short-term communication plans with direct impact to a unitor program.


• Evaluate potential vendors’ quality, process, and cost and eithermake a selection or recommendation.


• Maintain knowledge by attending webinars, conferences, networkingetc. to remain at the forefront of current industry standards, trendsand technology.


• Analyze data and curate illustrations, photos, and pictures forassignments.


• May oversee or supervise staff in the development andimplementation of programs or functions.


• Work in collaboration with Institutional Communicators on mediarelations content and other areas.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience orcombination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.


• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internalcommunications groups across campus.


• Demonstrated management skills and the ability to build andsustain a best in class communications team.


• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills


• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex materials andcommunicate information in a manner easily understood.


• Experience with project management and the ability to managemultiple projects simultaneously.


• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed work with high level ofaccuracy and attention to detail.