Associate Director of Donor Relations and Development Communications, Stanford Law School

Note: Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description

Remote Optional

Stanford Law School is one of the top-rated law schools in the world. At SLS, we are driven by a passion for new ideas and a commitment to transformative solutions. True to our roots in Silicon Valley and our Stanford heritage, we focus on the future — not the past. Experimentation, exploration, the translation of new knowledge into entrepreneurial solutions: All are in our DNA.

At Stanford Law School, advancement activities are supported by the Office of External Relations, a collaborative and entrepreneurial team committed to a donor-centric approach to development. As part of this group, the Donor Relations & Development Communications team is tasked with communicating appreciation for, and impact of, gifts to the law school; connecting donors with the mission of the school, and ensuring a sense of confidence and pride in philanthropically supporting Stanford Law School.

Stanford Law School’s External Relations Office seeks to hire an Associate Director of Donor Relations and Development Communications (DRDC) as part of a team expansion. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations and Development Communications, this individual’s focus will include developing and managing a portfolio of donor reporting needs, creating unique content for reports, and creating content for other specific alumni, donor, and volunteer audiences leveraging channels including video, slide decks, as well as print/digital reports to enhance donors’ relationships with SLS. Collaborate with other members of DRDC team, fundraisers, and academic stakeholders across the school to shape philanthropic messages and effectively communicate those messages to donors and prospects. This role is a great opportunity for a thoughtful writer and creative problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

JOB PURPOSE:

Plan, manage, design, develop, and implement highly-individualized donor relations strategies and programs designed to communicate with the law school’s donors. Will partner with development officers to maximize donor engagement and advance development goals.

Your primary responsibilities will be to:

• Participate in defining the donor relations strategy for the school’s portfolio of donors in adherence to the university's donor relations guidelines.  Ensure messaging aligns with the school’s communications plans and strategic priorities.  Identify key information, messages and topics.
• Develop and implement projects that motivate prospects and/or steward existing donors, with a primary focus on creating unique content for stewardship reports and updates, proposals, and other communications to key groups of prospects and donors.
• Oversee design and production of development materials from creation to deployment. Research, develop, execute, and manage high-profile written reporting on complex topics.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with gift officers to further donor engagement. Build a complete understanding of each donor’s interests, involvement, and giving activity.
• Develop a deep understanding of Stanford’s donor management database and financial reporting systems in order to execute funds management and other specialized stewardship tasks.
• Execute on and maintain accurate records of stewardship activity in accordance with the university’s stewardship standards.
• Work with staff in development and financial offices across campus to coordinate stewardship activity and tracking. Maintain communication with stewardship colleagues across the university.
• Coordinate with staff and development officers to develop and produce key donor relations deliverables, including written (hard copy, email or online content), video, or events.
• Create communications for donor and stewardship events, including briefings for the dean and faculty, invitations, correspondence, and other collateral.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Strong client service orientation and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and professionalism to interact with a wide range of people at different levels of an organization.
• Ability to clearly and credibly communicate a diverse array of topics.
• Ability to articulate progress and impact in a way that is understandable and meaningful to various constituencies.
• Demonstrated understanding of a wide variety of donor audiences.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to edit high-level correspondence.
• Demonstrated experience leading project teams.
• Proven ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple priorities, with competing deadlines.
• Must be able to conduct research and ability to interpret information available in a database.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Tact, discretion, and experience handling confidential information.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and database applications.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Demonstrated sound judgment in situations requiring independent decision-making and in handling confidential and sensitive material.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Experience in a fundraising organization, ideally in development communication or stewardship roles.
• Experience in higher education, particularly complex research institutions.
• Experience with relationship or prospect management systems.
• Familiarity with InDesign and/or Photoshop.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.