Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Stanford Career Education

Stanford University, a world-class research university known for its deep tradition of innovation and spirit of optimism, seeks a new Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Stanford Career Education (AVP/ED). As Stanford enters a new era of leadership and institutional momentum, the AVP/ED will play a critical role in integrating academic excellence and career readiness as a cornerstone of the Stanford student experience. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, the AVP/ED will lead Stanford Career Education (CareerEd) and shape the future of career development at one of the most influential universities in the world.

This is a unique opportunity to lead at a pivotal moment for Stanford. CareerEd has recently transitioned from Student Affairs to Undergraduate Education in the Provost’s portfolio, which reflects the University's commitment to strengthening the connection between academic excellence, student development and enrichment, and post-graduate success, while deepening partnerships across undergraduate and graduate education.

Guided by a commitment to access and student success, CareerEd provides coaching, educational programming, employer engagement, experiential learning opportunities, and career readiness resources that support students across all disciplines, degree levels, and career interests. The next AVP/ED will have the opportunity to build upon this strong foundation while helping to define the next chapter of career education at Stanford. Working in close partnership with faculty, academic leaders, students, alumni, employers, and external stakeholders, this leader will advance a vision that preserves Stanford's longstanding emphasis on intellectual exploration, self-discovery, and personal growth while ensuring students are empowered to navigate an increasingly complex, diverse, dynamic workforce.

As CareerEd enters this next phase, the AVP/ED will have the opportunity to address the following opportunities and challenges, outlined in greater detail later in this document:

• Integrate and advance career education across Stanford;

• Establish career education as a defining element of the Stanford student experience;

• Foster highly collaborative relationships with a broad range of university constituents;

• Serve as a compelling spokesperson for Stanford Career Education; and

• Lead and develop a high-performing team.

Applications will be reviewed beginning November 4, 2026.

 Stanford University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this important search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. All applications, inquiries, and nominations should be below. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Lindsay Gold is leading this search with Ebony Breaux-Liang and Julia Hochner.

Stanford University is an equal 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.

Core Duties:

• Direct efforts of managers; develop those in leadership positions and in the leadership pipeline, make hiring decisions, provide coaching and mentoring, manage performance, determine staffing needs, develop and ensure succession planning within area of responsibility.

• Identify, clarify, and resolve complex, highly visible issues with university-wide scope and strategic impact and substantial significance which may span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge requiring broad discretion and judgment and in-depth knowledge of university policies, governance and priorities. 

• Provide strategic direction for and manage a school or a major function within an academic area, school, or student and campus life, including responsibility for programs, budget, facilities, and staff.

• Provide counsel and collaborate with senior leadership, in long-range planning, policy development, for a school or major program. 

• Work independently to make decisions regarding projects, programs, and initiatives, with limited or no review by senior management: commit university resources with limited or no review by senior officers.

• Manage exceptions to university, program, or unit policies and procedures; determine appropriate response to settle grievances.

• Participate in setting the direction of a school’s internal academic and administrative policy development for programs and administrative operations.  Negotiate and influence on matters of university-wide impact.  

• Serve as senior advisor to dean on programmatic and policy development. Recommend new internal policies, guidelines and procedures. 

• Manage, interpret, implement and ensure compliance with legal, financial, university, academic and administrative policies and external regulations within an organization or program. 

• Direct complex, high-visibility process redesign and innovation projects; Champion major initiatives, develop and drive implementation of project initiatives.

• Lead, identify and develop priorities for university or school/department-wide student services initiatives, and outreach programs.

• Represent school/department programs and initiatives at senior level meetings, conferences, and to both internal and external constituents.

• Partner with key individuals from across the university to determine new and ongoing business and technology initiatives.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.  Experience in higher education setting strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• User knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.

• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information.

• Strong leadership and strategic management skills.

• Experience managing people.

• Understanding of underlying technological needs and requirements.

• Ability to establish credibility and effective working relationships across organization.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.

• Demonstrated experience with significant and complex budgetary/financial management.