Job Details

Director of Donor Relations and Development Communications

Thank you for your interest in Stanford University. While we have instituted a hiring pause for non-critical staff positions, we are actively recruiting for most of the positions currently listed on our careers page. We will update the page when the broader hiring pause is lifted.

Job Summary

• DATE POSTED 1 day ago
• Schedule Full-time
• Job Code 4323
• Employee Status Regular
• Requisition ID 107307

Note - Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S. This position has been deemed critical by the School of Engineering Dean's Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

The School of Engineering

Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century, creating pivotal technologies that have transformed the worlds of information technology, communications, health care, energy, business and beyond. Our faculty and students are creative risk-takers who pursue excellence across a breadth of disciplines. Our alumni include some of the world's most successful leaders in technology and business. Our staff are critical to enabling Stanford Engineering to accomplish its mission: seeking solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges and educating leaders who will make the world a better place through the power of engineering principles, techniques and systems.

We are seeking a Director of Donor Relations and Development Communications to design and execute the strategic vision for our comprehensive donor engagement programs. This is an opportunity to lead and mentor an exceptionally talented, collaborative, and high-functioning team of communications and stewardship professionals. In an exciting and fast-paced environment at the forefront of engineering education and research, you will play a pivotal role in celebrating our generous donors and articulating the profound impact of their support on the next generation of engineers and groundbreaking discoveries.

In this role, you will:

• Be responsible for strategic design and implementation of creative, consistent and donor-centric acknowledgements, donor reporting, recognition, events and/or communications programs for school/unit donors. Ensure messaging aligns with school/unit communications plans and strategic priorities.
• Develop strategies to track and analyze results of donor relations activities within the school/unit. Monitor, analyze and report on overall results to internal and external constituencies.
• Lead, manage and implement programs that provide comprehensive reporting and donor engagement activities to donors.
• Coordinate with donor relations staff and development officers to develop and produce key donor relations deliverables, including written (hard copy, email or online content), video or events. Design and project manage donor recognition events.
• Serve as a strategic donor relations partner to senior leadership and execute projects for a portfolio of leadership donors
• Set priorities for the donor relations team(s) and manage with overall effectiveness. Allocate resources for donor relations function and develop tracking methods for reporting the team's overall productivity.
• May be involved in hiring, training, setting individual performance goals and completing annual performance reviews
• Execute fiduciary responsibility to ensure gifts are awarded and utilized in accordance with donor expectations and university policy in a timely manner. Resolve discrepancies and escalate when needed.
• Maintain relationships with gift officers and donors. Develop and cultivate open channels of communication with colleagues across the university.

Education & Experience (Required):

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Required):

• Ability to understand and articulate how stewardship 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.

Education & Experience (Desired):

• Working Conditions: May require working flexible hours, including nights and weekends.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, stand/walk, sit, use a telephone.
• Occasionally light/fine grasping, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds, writing by hand.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,

Pay Range

The expected pay range for this position is $144,892 to $174,857 per annum.

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 ( ) 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:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

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 résumé along with your online application. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position.

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.

School of Engineering, Stanford, California, United States

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