Senior Development Director, Southern California

Stanford University historic campus

Schedule: Open to remote from Southern California or local hybrid schedule (at least 2 days per week on site).

The Office of Development (OOD) plays a critical role in advancing Stanford's mission by raising philanthropic support from alumni, parents, families, friends, and institutional funders.

Working in concert with volunteers and academic leaders, OOD staff members strive to accelerate Stanford's purposeful impact in the world.

Stanford is committed to a donor-centric approach to development, ensuring an exceptionally positive and fulfilling philanthropic experience for all donors.

As a key member of the Office of Development, the Sr. Associate Director will support regional fundraising efforts with individuals (alumni, parents, and friends) in Southern California.

They will operate independently in assigned areas, taking responsibility for prospect identification and solicitation, proposal development, and coordination of internal support activities.

They will work closely with OOD colleagues, donors, volunteer leaders, faculty, and other university staff to establish and maintain relationships with all university constituencies.

The Sr. Associate Director will also collaborate with university faculty and leaders to create and execute regional donor engagement strategies.

Gift work requires a deep understanding of the university's overarching strategic priorities, emerging initiatives, and the programs and aspirations of all seven of Stanford's schools and large units.

Consultation, coordination, and collaboration with school or unit-based colleagues are essential.

• Play a vital role in overall fundraising efforts.
• Develop solicitation goals, objectives, and strategies for development projects and/or specific donor populations or geographic regions.
• Cultivate and solicit gifts to the university.
• Manage an active portfolio, tracking solicitation assignments and progress.
• Work with a portfolio of assigned prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward their support.
• Develop and design systems to track solicitation assignments and progress.
• Develop relationships leading to gifts in the $250,000 - $10,000,000 range.
• Enhance relationships between current and prospective major donors and the school or unit's faculty, students, dean, staff, and volunteers.

The Sr. Associate Director will lead a wide range of fundraising activities, including providing stewardship, identifying new prospective donors and volunteers, maintaining an active level of contacts, coordinating volunteer fundraising efforts in the school/unit, and facilitating relationships between potential and current donors and volunteers.

They will also lead staff to advance university relationships and solicitations, work with key prospects and donors to identify development opportunities within the school/unit, and devise strategies for involving and soliciting external constituencies.

Establishing ongoing relationships with individual alumni through personal visits, phone calls, and meaningful contacts is a key responsibility.

Prioritizing prospects, preparing background information, making volunteer assignments as appropriate, and following up with volunteers to ensure completion of assigned solicitations are also essential tasks.

Working closely with other colleagues in development to align program goals with the overall giving goals of the university's development organization is critical.

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success in major-rated prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and working with volunteers, faculty, and staff, preferably in a complex academic setting.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to articulate a compelling case for philanthropic support programs.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into compelling development proposals.
• Ability to work effectively with development colleagues, faculty, top executives, and community leaders.

Valid California Non-commercial Class Driver's License is required.

Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class drivers license is also required.

May require working flexible hours, including nights and weekends. Regular travel may be required.

When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.

Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

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.

Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures.

The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate.

For work schedule: Remote from Southern California, The expected pay range for this position is $115,000 – $151,000 per annum.

For work schedule: Stanford historic campus hybrid schedule, The expected pay range for this position is $144,000 – $185,000 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 course auditing.
• 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.

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 at For all other inquiries, please submit 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.