Sr. Assoc. Director, Executive Communications

Main Work Location: Stanford Redwood City campus
Schedule:  Open to Remote

*To be considered for this role, please submit three writing samples with your cover letter and resume. Further samples will be requested as needed.

About OOD: The Office of Development (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. 

Position Summary: 
The Senior Associate Director, Executive Communications will serve as a strategic partner in writing, editing, and preparing materials that support the highest presidential priorities and help inspire transformational gifts to Stanford. These materials will include highly customized donor correspondence and acknowledgments on behalf of senior university leaders.

This position leads a team of two writers who work collaboratively on a high volume of highly customized gift acknowledgments, letters and emails of condolence and congratulations, follow-up notes to events and donor meetings, and other correspondence.In addition, the Senior Associate Director will work closely with the Principal Gifts team and with gift officers and staff throughout the university’s schools and units, advising on voice and messaging for the president’s engagement with donors and volunteers.

The Senior Associate Director reports to the Director of Development Communications within Stanford’s central Office of Development and is a member of the Communications, Digital & Donor Relations team.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and a superb writer who is versatile in a range of writing styles. Excellent interpersonal skills required. Experience in development communications and familiarity with Stanford strongly preferred. 

In this role you will:

• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of Stanford’s largest donors, including their history and relationships with the university and its leaders.
• Write high-level donor correspondence in the voice of the president, vice president for development, and chair of the Board of Trustees
• Serve as a resource and liaison for gift officers and other OOD staff on presidential communications, tracking closely on the president’s priorities and ensuring consistency in messaging
• Make salient recommendations on subtle nuances of voice and diction, reflecting the styles and preferences of various executive leaders
• Oversee a team of two writers, providing guidance and feedback, encouraging their continued education, maintaining morale, and directing their professional growth
• Track deadlines and budgets and adhere to deadlines
• Work collaboratively and maintain relationships with gift officers and OOD partners throughout the university’s schools and units.
• Reflect the diversity of thoughts, experiences, and approaches of the Stanford community in development communications, conveying the university’s aspirations as an inclusive, accessible, diverse, and equitable institution.
• Other duties may also be assigned

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• The highest standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• The ability to work well with people at all levels, including senior staff, faculty, donors, volunteers, vendors, and outside service providers, as well an internal communications groups
• Demonstrated sound judgment in situations that require independent decision-making, problem solving, and handling confidential and sensitive materials
• Creative thinking skills and a solutions-oriented approach to challenges
• A commitment to promoting and supporting an environment of diversity and inclusion.
• Proven ability to present, write, edit, and organize thoughts in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner. Flawless copyediting and proofing.
• Solid project management/production management experience, with demonstrated success in working with multiple stakeholders and overseeing complex projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
• Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures . The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. 

The expected pay range for this position is $106,000 to $157,000 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 Bay Area 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. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more

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.