Demo

Senior Associate Director of Development

Inside Higher Ed
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/24/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/22/2026
🔍Office of External Relations, Stanford, California, United StatesNew📁Development📅10 hours ago Post Date📅109286 Requisition #

Main Work Location: Stanford Redwood City Campus

Schedule: Hybrid work schedule (at least 2 days per week on-site)

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, along with your resume.

The Office of Development (OOD) advances 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. Every member of the Office of Development staff plays a role in providing the university’s donors with the service and attention that ensures an exceptionally positive and fulfilling philanthropic experience.

Stanford Medicine is a world-class academic medical institution comprised of Stanford University School of Medicine, a research-intensive medical school, and Stanford Health Care, a regional hospital system that is nationally recognized for quality patient care and leading-edge technology. Stanford’s top-ranking Medical Center Development (MCD) team supports the goals and purposes of Stanford Medicine, including a significant focus on securing resources to realize the aspirations of the medical enterprise in alignment with the Stanford University-wide strategic vision.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Major Gifts and the Director of Cancer Initiatives at MCD, the Senior Associate Director of Development will lead major gift fundraising for key priority areas of the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) and the Center for Asian Research and Education (CARE). This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy working as part of a highly collaborative team, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy building meaningful relationships with donors, faculty, volunteers, and colleagues.

In This Role, Will

  • Develop and implement strategies to increase support of SCI and CARE fundraising priorities.
  • Manage an active portfolio, tracking engagement and solicitation progress.
  • Work closely with Stanford Medicine faculty to engage, solicit, and steward donor support.
  • Partner with Medical Center Development and other Office of Development colleagues to engage people in their portfolios who may have cancer and CARE interests.
  • Engage, cultivate, and support volunteers involved in SCI and CARE boards.
  • Develop materials, such as proposals, program descriptions, and stewardship reports, in partnership with colleagues, to support fundraising priorities.
  • Coordinate with colleagues in development to align program goals with the overall goals of the university’s development organization.
  • Collaborate with staff, donors, faculty, and volunteers to establish and maintain relationships with all university constituencies.
  • Other duties as assigned.

To Be Successful In This Position, You Will Bring

  • Bachelor's degree and 8 years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Proven ability to achieve fundraising goals and a high level of comfort and effectiveness working with faculty, high net worth individuals, business executives, and community leaders.
  • A sense of urgency in gift discussions and responding to philanthropic opportunities, being adaptable and achievement oriented.
  • Commitment to a collaborative culture, with patience, persistence, and flexibility to build consensus and facilitate decision-making across multiple constituencies.
  • Excellent writing, communication and listening skills with the ability to collaborate and achieve results within diverse populations. A clear and confident communication style that shows spirit, enthusiasm, and integrity.
  • Proven skills in managing several competing priorities and complex issues creatively and effectively. This may include strategic planning, donor development, and faculty engagement with the day-to-day operations.
  • High degree of diplomacy and cultural sensitivity.
  • Mandarin speaking and writing skills are preferred.

The expected pay range for this position is $166,712 to $195,120 per annum.

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

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.

Why Stanford Is For You

Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Bay Area employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.

Benefits

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.

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.

Additional Information

  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Job Code: 4293
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Grade: L
  • Requisition ID: 109286
  • Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible

Salary : $166,712 - $195,120

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