The Communications and Donor Relations team within Stanford’s Office of Development brings to life the unique experience of living, studying, and working at Stanford and focuses on how philanthropy makes all of this possible. The Assistant Director of Donor Relations will work closely with central and campus colleagues to produce high-quality communications, reports, and events for a portfolio of the university’s most generous and prominent donors. The Assistant Director of Donor Relations will be particularly involved in two university-wide leadership-level recognition societies. This position reports to the Senior Associate Director of Donor Relations. The Donor Relations team at Stanford is highly collaborative, efficient and creative and holds itself to the highest standards of accuracy, execution, and quality for all aspects of its projects.

Stanford is committed to a donor-centric approach to development. Each member of the Communications and Donor Relations team plays a role in ensuring that the experience of Stanford’s donors around their philanthropy is an exceptionally positive and fulfilling one.

Job Purpose:

Manage and implement a portfolio of annual reporting, gift acknowledgment and donor engagement activities and projects

Your responsibilities will include:

Implement the strategic plan to strengthen two donor recognition societies, including planning large-scale donor events and coordinating communications from university leadership. Participate in additional special donor recognition projects as assigned.

• Coordinate the planning, research, and production of personalized narrative and financial reports to the university’s leadership donors.
• Independently manage a portfolio of donor engagement activities on behalf of the university by establishing and executing project plans, timelines, tasks, and objectives. This includes working with donors, colleagues, and external vendors.
• Develop and provide recommendations on best methodologies to engage individual donors by analyzing past trends, researching donor profiles, and collaborating with colleagues to identify and produce key donor relations deliverables, including donor correspondence, videos, or events.
• Coordinate activities related to the university’s fiduciary responsibility to award and utilize donor gifts in accordance with donor expectations and university policies in a timely manner. Resolve discrepancies and escalate when needed.
• Manage the process of requesting gift usage information from beneficiaries, (such as students, faculty). Draft, edit, rewrite, and exercise judgement to determine appropriateness of content.
• Perform an annual audit of assigned portfolios against the development database to ensure that all related documents, fund, stewardee, and beneficiary information is accurate and complete. Identify and resolve any inaccuracies.
• Assist with creating and executing events and coordinate with the donor relations community on cross-functional events.
• Other duties may also be assigned

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Excellent writing, research, and editorial skills; ability to synthesize information and compose clear and effective materials.
• Ability to listen and respond with diplomacy and tact.
• Demonstrated experience managing and coordinating multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about donors and projects to which they are assigned.
• Strong customer service focus; excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated sound judgment in situations requiring independent decision-making and in handling confidential and sensitive material.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and database applications. Strong data management skills required.
• Demonstrated project management skills.

Why Stanford 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 excellent retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, swim in our Olympic-sized pool, or choose from hundreds of health and fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide highly competitive health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commute programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

How to apply:

We invite you to apply for the position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and a resume with your online application. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position.

Additional Information

Schedule: Full-time
Job Code: 4321
Employee Status: Regular
Grade: G
Requisition ID: 84865