Director of Development, Department of Medicine, Medical Center Development

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Redwood City, CALIFORNIA

Main Work Location: Redwood City, CA.
Schedule: Hybrid work schedule (at least 2 days per week on-site).

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

Stanford Medicine is comprised of Stanford University School of Medicine, a premier research-intensive medical school, Stanford Health Care (SHC), a hospital that is nationally recognized for quality patient care and leading-edge technology, and Stanford Children’s Health, the only health care system in the San Francisco Bay Area exclusively dedicated to pediatric and obstetric care. Medical Center Development (MCD), in partnership with the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, supports Stanford Medicine with highly trained and experienced fundraising professionals and partner teams and is committed to a donor-centric approach to development. Its top-ranking team continues to build upon the generous support of its donor community and has newly defined philanthropic priorities that align with the strategic vision of Stanford University, which is in the early stages of its next major fundraising effort. Every member of the MCD and the broader 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. Stanford also believes that diversity and excellence go hand-in-hand and so hires individuals with a commitment to work effectively with colleagues and donors from diverse backgrounds.


Development Leader for the Department of Medicine
MCD seeks an experienced leader to direct the fundraising program for the Department of Medicine, the largest department in the School of Medicine and a top recipient of NIH funding. The Director of Development, Department of Medicine requires experience, sensitivity, diplomacy, and the ability to operate independently and as part of a team while representing Stanford Medicine, with a focus on individuals and families with the philanthropic capacity to make a gift of $250,000 to $10 million or more.
This leader will also manage a dedicated senior fundraiser colleague who will partner with you to build upon the extraordinary growth of philanthropy for the Department of Medicine over the past several years. This is in keeping with our player-coach model in which all managers have fundraising responsibilities in the field. You would be tasked with creating a strategic fundraising plan, including tactics to grow the prospect base, determine inspiring gift opportunities, and develop nuanced strategies for engaging donors. All fundraisers also partner closely with fundraiser colleagues within MCD and across the University to cultivate potential donors for Stanford Medicine and Stanford University.
The Department of Medicine is committed to setting the highest standards for patient care, ground-breaking biomedical research, professional education, teaching, and training. The department’s faculty and staff are devoted to advancing the science of medicine by developing new methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat all aspects of human disease and strive to provide compassionate and pioneering health care to all. You will work directly with some of the most innovative faculty and visionary donors, striving to make the donor experience as enriching and rewarding as possible while facilitating meaningful philanthropic gifts to advance research, patient care, and education.
If you are mission-driven and have the strategic skills necessary to simultaneously balance donor identification and solicitation, coordinate internal support activities including faculty management, while building donor-centric, meaningful relationships, then this position is for you.


In this role, you will:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact in development for the leadership of the Department of Medicine, partnering closely with academic leaders and with faculty and staff to develop proposals for transformative gifts supporting research and other initiatives involving multiple faculty members.
  • In close consultation with the Chair of the Department of Medicine, and in partnership with your dedicated fundraiser colleague(s), determine the funding priorities for the department.
  • Develop the strategic fundraising plan to achieve those objectives and direct all aspects of development activities, staffing faculty and donors with a focus on raising major and principal gifts.
  • Hiring and retaining staff; managing career coaching and personal and professional development for direct report(s); focusing on retention to increase the capacity and stability of the team.
  • Direct and coach efforts of fundraiser(s) under your management; providing leadership to achieve both individual goals and collective vision of the organization.
  • Completing mid-year and year-end performance reviews.
  • Interact regularly with faculty to gain a depth of specialized knowledge about their programs and funding needs and identify potential donors including grateful patients.
  • Personally staff approximately 75-100 philanthropic relationships with consistent focus and high-touch engagement, cultivation, and stewardship that leads to successful solicitation strategies. Partner with development colleagues who staff other philanthropic relationships where there is interest in supporting visionary research, treatment, and education.
  • Monitor annual strategic programmatic goals and fundraising success, implementing appropriate interventions when necessary. Initiate and direct efforts and collaborations to help achieve those goals including strategic events, marketing collateral and stewardship activities.
  • Develop and manage relationships of mutual respect and trust with faculty members, clinical and academic staff, and colleagues.
  • Collaborate with colleagues on the Major Gifts Team and other teams within Medical Center Development to implement fundraising activities, particularly Principal Gifts, Generalists, Planned Giving, Prospect Research, Donor Relations, and Development Communications. Serve as content expert and resource for the Department of Medicine with other fundraisers and colleagues.
  • Stay informed on current university initiatives and activities, including campaign priorities, and contribute to the overall priorities of Stanford Medicine.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

  • Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience and management experience, preferably in an educational institution or nonprofit or a combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Proven ability to achieve fundraising goals and a high level of comfort and effectiveness working with faculty, high net worth individuals, business executives, and community leaders.
  • Ability to lead and motivate others; be at ease with colleagues at all levels, faculty, top executives and community leaders, gaining their respect and confidence; ability to work well with staff members regardless of position in any office hierarchy; willingness to share credit.
  • A sense of urgency in gift discussions and responding to philanthropic opportunities, being adaptable and achievement oriented.
  • Commitment to a collaborative culture, with patience, persistence, and flexibility to build consensus and facilitate decision-making across multiple constituencies.
  • Excellent writing, communication and listening skills with the ability to collaborate and achieve results within diverse populations. A clear and confident communication style that shows spirit, enthusiasm and integrity.
  • Political acumen, i.e., the ability to navigate very complex institutions and competing priorities to make the best match for donor interests and University priorities. 
  • A commitment to promoting and supporting an environment of diversity and inclusion 

The expected pay range for this position is $147,000 to $215,000 per annum.

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 (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) 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.

Why Stanford is for You
Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. We believe Stanford’s future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

  • 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 with 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.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [email protected] . For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form .

Stanford is an equal employment 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.



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