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Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts, Bay Area, Stanford Law School

Inside Higher Ed
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/18/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/17/2026
🔍School of Law, Stanford, California, United StatesNew📁Development📅2 days ago Post Date📅108781 Requisition #

Hybrid (3 days a week on site)

Note: Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description

Stanford Law School is one of the top-rated law schools in the world. At SLS, we are driven by a passion for new ideas and a commitment to transformative solutions. True to our roots in Silicon Valley and our Stanford heritage, we focus on the future — not the past. Experimentation, exploration, the translation of new knowledge into entrepreneurial solutions: All are in our DNA.

The Office of External Relations is a collaborative and entrepreneurial team committed to a donor-centric approach to development. External Relations is made up of major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, and advancement marketing.

Stanford Law School is hiring an Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts. Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Associate Director will play a key role in managing regional fundraising efforts in the Bay Area for Stanford Law School as part of a broader outreach program. As a senior member of the Office of External Relations team, the Associate Director is primarily responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals able to make gifts of at least $250,000 or more.

Job Purpose

In coordination with the Director of Major Gifts, plan and implement fundraising strategies for a portfolio of donors. Operate independently in assigned areas and take responsibility for prospect identification and solicitation, proposal development, and coordination of internal support activities. Work with staff, donors, volunteers, faculty, and other university staff to assist in establishing and maintaining relationships with all university constituencies. The Associate Director will also collaborate with faculty and leaders to create and execute regional donor events.

CORE DUTIES*:

  • Develop solicitation goals, objectives, and strategies for development projects and/or specific donor populations or geographic regions. Cultivate and solicit gifts for Stanford Law School.
  • Manage an active portfolio, and track solicitation assignments and progress. Work with a portfolio of prospects in regions as assigned to cultivate, solicit, and steward donor support.Expect to be on the road 50% of the time and complete 12-15 visits per month.
  • Take responsibility for a wide range of fundraising activities, including maintaining an active level of contacts, identifying new prospective donors and volunteers, providing stewardship, and coordinating volunteer fundraising efforts.This also includes managing major gift cultivation and solicitation events in assigned regions.
  • Stay informed on current university and law school initiatives and activities.
  • Serve as expert partner between certain faculty-led programs and initiatives and the Office of External Relations.
  • Staff the dean of Stanford Law School and faculty for visits with potential funders, both on campus and in assigned regions. This includes preparing briefings, developing a cultivation strategy, and coordinating follow-up after meetings.
  • Develop relationships leading to gifts of $250,000 or more.
  • Establish and enhance ongoing relationships with alumni and friends through personal visits, phone calls, and meaningful contacts.
  • Prioritize prospects, prepare background information, make volunteer assignments as appropriate, and follow up with volunteers to ensure completion of assigned solicitations.
  • Work closely with other colleagues in development to align program goals with the overall giving goals of the university's development organization.
  • - Other duties may also be assigned

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

  • Demonstrated effectiveness in prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring and working with volunteers, faculty, and staff.
  • 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.

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 his or her job.

Working Conditions

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

Work Standards

  • When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrate 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, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The expected pay range for this position is $142,600 to $163,419 per annum (Hybrid)

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary 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.

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.

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.

Additional Information

  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Job Code: 4292
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Grade: K
  • Department URL: http://www.law.stanford.edu/
  • Requisition ID: 108781
  • Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible, On Site

Salary : $142,600 - $163,419

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