Director, Development Services

Main Work Location: Stanford Redwood City Campus Schedule: Hybrid (minimum 2 days per week on site) Budgeted Salary Range: The expected pay range for this position is $215,000 to $240,000

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application.

This position is located within the Office of Development (OOD). 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 OOD’s 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:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Development, the Director of Development Services provides strategic leadership for a team of professionals in gift processing, gift accounting, and biographic records. The department ensures the accuracy, integrity, and timely processing of gifts; performs reconciliation; and processes high volumes of biographic records updates in the alumni and donor CRM. The director collaborates closely with fundraising staff across the organization and with key stakeholders in Planned Giving, Business Technology Services, Donor Relations, Finance, Fund Accounting, Gift Securities, and the Stanford Alumni Association, among other areas.

Core Duties:

• Set the strategic direction and hold accountability for the performance of the university’s centralized gift processing and biographic records function.
• Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve the organization’s goals and vision; develop and implement a multi-year roadmap.
• Drive organizational change and innovation, including modernizing workflows and technology to further support efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy.
• Ensure the integrity of philanthropic dollars processed, and work closely with Finance, the Controller’s Office, and auditors.
• Manage direct reports who have oversight of gift operations, gift accounting, and biographic records integrity functions.
• Hire and retain staff, provide career coaching, foster personal and professional development, and hold accountability for the performance of employees. Create a supportive and growth-oriented environment for the team.
• Anticipate philanthropic and technology trends, and make recommendations for policy, program, service, and investment decisions.
• Oversee complex projects and analyses, and present findings and insights to leaders.
• Serve as a member of the Development Leadership Council within OOD and represent Development Services in ad hoc work groups and task forces as needed.
• Serve as a resource and senior advisor to Development leaders on gift processing and biographic records integrity matters.
• Ensure compliance with all university policies and regulations.

Must be able and willing to work extended hours, including Saturdays, but especially November/December/January (calendar year-end) and July/August (fiscal year-end). Development Services works through the campus winter closure at the end of the calendar year.

Core Duties:

Data Processing & Gift Management

• Plan and direct Division functions, programs, staff, and activities.
• Oversee complex development projects and analyses.
• Manage division budgets and resource planning.
• Review and approve all department budget decisions.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead enterprise system upgrades and governance.
• Establish policies and influence institutional practices.
• Drive organizational change and innovation.

Compliance & Audit

• Build relationships with external auditors.
• Establish policies and influence institutional practices.

Staff Development & Leadership

• Lead workforce planning, succession, and retention.
• Provide strategic leadership to achieve organizational goals.
• Hire and retain staff with performance accountability.
• Drive organizational change and innovation.
• Provide opportunities for professional growth.

External Relations & Communication

• Build relationships with schools, finance, legal, IT, auditors.
• Represent Development Services to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with senior leaders on innovations and goals.
• Review and approve all budget decisions including forecasting.
• Represent Stanford by attending relevant conferences

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and 9 years relevant management experience, preferably in educational institution or nonprofit OR equivalent combination

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Technical: Executive technology oversight; regulatory leadership with external agencies; strategic data governance
• Communication: Executive writing and public speaking; senior relationship management with external stakeholders
• Problem-Solving: Enterprise analysis and institutional impact evaluation; executive authority for policy and strategy
• Management: Enterprise initiatives and organizational vision-setting; succession planning and capability building
• Specialized: Executive financial oversight and board reporting; strategic risk policy development; thought leadership