Associate Director, Major Gifts

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is seeking an Associate Director of Major Gifts. Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Associate Director of Major Gifts is a frontline fundraiser with a focus on raising gifts in key markets, including the San Francisco Bay Area. (Other potential regions to be discussed.) Primary responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals able to make gifts in the $100,000-$5,000,000 range.

The school’s priorities are focused on the core MBA, PhD, and MSx programs, GSB faculty support and growth, the global reach of the school, and strong collaboration with broader Stanford University. 

As part of a high-performing team, a successful Associate Director is able to skillfully build relationships with alumni and internal stakeholders while displaying enthusiasm for the school’s mission. This position requires exceptional professionalism, intellectual dexterity, and the ability to think strategically and operate independently. The Major Gifts team values professional entrepreneurship and a willingness to go above and beyond for our community. 

This is a full-time 100% FTE hybrid position with the expectation to be on-site at the Stanford campus a minimum of 2 days a week. 

Position-Specific Duties:

• 8 - 12 regional development trips per year.
• Act as supporting staff to the dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Business during regional travel or individual development meetings.
• Build important professional relationships within the GSB and the broader Stanford community.
• Potential to act as liaison, on behalf of the Major Gifts team, to school initiatives, boards, and centers.
• Display strong leadership and collegial qualities within the External Relations department.
• On occasion, working nights and designated weekends on behalf of the External Relations and/or Major Gifts team.
• Build, strengthen, and reinforce GSB alumni relationships with the school through high-touch engagements and stewardship.
• Maintain a CRM and ensure its accuracy by diligently completing assignments.

Core Duties:

• 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, and track solicitation assignments and progress. Work with a portfolio of assigned prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward their support.

• 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.

• Stay informed on current university initiatives and activities.

• Develop relationships leading to gifts in the $250,000 - $5,000,000 range.

• Enhance relationships between current and prospective major donors and the school or unit's faculty, students, dean, staff and volunteers.

• Work with staff, donors, volunteers, and other university staff to assist in establishing and maintaining relationships with all university constituencies.

• Design and manage appeals (e.g., direct mail, email, video, phone, and other channels) to target key populations to maximize fundraising potential.

• Establish ongoing relationships with individual alumni 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience or 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.

• Demonstrate a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.

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Drivers License Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License.

• Ability to drive day or night.

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