Associate Director, Major Gifts

Associate Director of Major Gifts Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research, and offering a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non-degree programs that deliver global impact. We invite you to be part of our mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world. The Stanford Graduate School of Business is seeking an Associate Director of Major Gifts. Reporting to the Regional Director of Development, 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 areas 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 two days a week. Your primary responsibilities include: Develop solicitation goals and strategies for specific donor populations or geographic regions. Gain familiarity with assigned regions, and travel to those areas regularly. Develop relationships leading to gifts in the $100,000 - $5,000,000 range. Manage an active portfolio and work with assigned prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward their support. Establish ongoing relationships with individual alumni through personal visits, virtual visits, phone calls, and meaningful contacts. Take responsibility for a wide range of fundraising activities, including identifying new prospective donors and alumni volunteers. Prioritize prospects, prepare background information, make volunteer assignments as appropriate, and collaborate with volunteers on assigned solicitations. Provide staff support for the GSB Dean, senior leaders, faculty, and high-level volunteers locally and in assigned regions. Work closely with colleagues in GSB External Relations, faculty, and other colleagues to align program goals with the overall fundraising goals of the school. Engage as an active contributor to the team culture of the major gift group and the broader External Relations team. Coordinate and collaborate with development colleagues in the Stanford Office of Development and with other schools and units. Stay informed on current GSB initiatives and activities, and engage in the life of the school. To be successful in this position, you will bring: Demonstrated effectiveness in prospect identification, relationship building, solicitation, and stewardship. Demonstrated experience working with volunteers, faculty, and staff. Ability and willingness to travel frequently, with possible 10-12 trips per year, and a donor visit goal of approximately 12-15 visits per month. Superior written and oral communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to translate complex concepts into compelling development proposals. Ability to work collaboratively with development colleagues throughout the university to achieve strategic fundraising results. Appreciation for the mission of a leading business school that's housed within a major research university, and the ability to articulate that mission to others. Strong initiative and self-motivation. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree and five years relevant experience or a combination of education and experience. Strong communication skills to effectively educate internal and external audiences. Strong analytical skills to review and assess complex financial information; experience building and maintaining spreadsheets. Comfort with technology and data management. Ability to travel domestically. Ability to work a hybrid schedule and occasional evenings and weekends. Certifications and Licenses Required: Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License. Physical Requirements: Ability to drive day or night. Work Standards: When conducting university business, must comply with California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements. The expected pay range for this position at 100% FTE is $142,600 to $163,419 per year. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. 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. The Cardinal at Work website 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. Stanford's dedicated 16,000 staff come from a breadth of educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global sphere. We provide competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our generous perks align with what matters to you: Freedom to grow. Take advantage of career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues. A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support. A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes. Discovery and fun. Visit campus gardens, trails, and museums. Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computers, cell phones, recreation, travel, entertainment, and more! We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you. How to Apply: We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and rsum along with your online application.

Created: 2026-03-04