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Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Job in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, 94306, USA
Listing for: Inside Higher Ed
Full Time position
Listed on 2026-03-11
Job specializations:
  • Non-Profit & Social Impact
    PR / Communications
Salary/Wage Range or Industry Benchmark: 80000 - 100000 USD Yearly USD 80000.00 100000.00 YEAR
Job Description & How to Apply Below

šŸ”Office of Development, Stanford, California, United States NewšŸ“Development

The Office of Development’s donor relations team plays an integral role in Stanford’s fundraising success. The team communicates the impact of gifts, connects donors with the university’s mission, and fosters confidence in philanthropy. The Assistant Director, Donor Relations, works with colleagues to create and deliver large annual portfolios of impact reports to Stanford’s donors.

Job Purpose

Manage and implement a portfolio of annual reporting and donor engagement activities or projects.

In This Role You Will
  • Coordinate with campus donor relations colleagues to identify key donor reports and engagement activities in an assigned school or unit fund portfolio to demonstrate the impact of giving to donors.
  • Project manage and create the timely delivery of these communications, which may take the form of narrative reports, gift acknowledgments, written communications (hard copy, e‑mail, or online content), video, or events.
  • Request and secure messages of thanks from students and faculty via Qualtrics or other digital applications. Proofread messages according to department standards. Provide students and faculty with information about donors’ motivations and history in supporting Stanford.
  • Input project‑related data and documents into the development database. Update records regularly to ensure data accuracy.
  • Communicate with school and unit donor relations staff and fundraisers to fulfill reporting and engagement requests in order to strengthen the relationship between donors and the university and its representatives, including students and faculty.
  • Perform an annual audit of each assigned school or unit fund portfolio to ensure that all related fund, donor, and recipient information is updated in the development database.
  • Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the Donor Relations Office, as well as an understanding of how it relates to the Office of Development and to other schools and units in the university.
  • Participate in special projects and support colleagues in the central donor relations reporting group as needed.
  • Other duties may also be assigned.
To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring
  • Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Strong client service orientation with the ability to understand a variety of client audiences, including students, faculty, and school or unit donor relations staff.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with people at all levels of an organization.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including composing and editing clear and effective materials.
  • Demonstrated project management skills, including organizing and managing multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about donors and projects.
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite, Google Suite, database applications, and online survey tools. Experience with digital publication tools preferred.
  • Experience with or ability to learn Stanford systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Frequently perform desk‑based computer tasks, stand/walk, sit, use a telephone.
  • Occasionally light/fine grasping, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds, writing by hand.
Working Conditions
  • May require working flexible hours, including nights 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, (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
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…

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