Assistant Director, Development Events

Job Description

Main Work Location: Historic Stanford Campus

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

Budgeted Salary Range: The expected pay range for this position is $82,650 to $101,690.

The Development Events team is a part of the Office of Development (OOD), which advances Stanford’s mission by raising philanthropic support from alumni, parents, families, friends, and institutional funders. Working in concert with volunteers and university 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.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director (AD) is a key member of the central Office of Development (OOD) Events team, which produces more than 100 programs annually to cultivate and steward university donors. As part of a highly collaborative team, the AD leads event teams and independently manages the planning and execution of specialized in-person, hybrid, and virtual programs that further the goals of OOD.

The AD works closely with internal partners and stakeholders across a complex higher education environment to develop and execute events that advance donor engagement and fundraising priorities. This role requires a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment when navigating competing priorities, managing stakeholder expectations, and addressing sensitive or complex situations. The AD must be adept at building collaborative relationships, balancing diverse perspectives, and exercising flexibility and independent judgment to develop effective solutions while maintaining alignment with departmental goals and university protocols.

Serving as project leader for events ranging from small, highly personalized gatherings to large and complex programs, the AD coordinates teams to strategize, plan, and execute all aspects of development events, including breakfasts, lunches, receptions, dinners, and award ceremonies. The AD is expected to exercise initiative and autonomy in prioritizing competing event demands, adapting to evolving needs, and ensuring the successful delivery of multiple programs in a dynamic environment.