Assistant Director, Development Events

Main Work Location: Historic Stanford Campus

Schedule: Hybrid (at least 2 days per week on site)

Budgeted Salary Range: The expected pay range for this position is $82,650 to $101,690.

The Development Events team is a part of the Office of Development (OOD), which advances Stanford’s mission by raising philanthropic support from alumni, parents, families, friends, and institutional funders. Working in concert with volunteers and university leaders, OOD staff members strive to accelerate Stanford’s purposeful impact in the world. Stanford is committed to a donor-centric approach to development. Every member of the 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.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director (AD) is a key member of the central Office of Development (OOD) Events team, which produces more than 100 programs annually to cultivate and steward university donors. As part of a highly collaborative team, the AD leads event teams and independently manages the planning and execution of specialized in-person, hybrid, and virtual programs that further the goals of OOD.

The AD works closely with internal partners and stakeholders across a complex higher education environment to develop and execute events that advance donor engagement and fundraising priorities. This role requires a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment when navigating competing priorities, managing stakeholder expectations, and addressing sensitive or complex situations. The AD must be adept at building collaborative relationships, balancing diverse perspectives, and exercising flexibility and independent judgment to develop effective solutions while maintaining alignment with departmental goals and university protocols.

Serving as project leader for events ranging from small, highly personalized gatherings to large and complex programs, the AD coordinates teams to strategize, plan, and execute all aspects of development events, including breakfasts, lunches, receptions, dinners, and award ceremonies. The AD is expected to exercise initiative and autonomy in prioritizing competing event demands, adapting to evolving needs, and ensuring the successful delivery of multiple programs in a dynamic environment.

Core Duties:

• Initiate and lead meetings with stakeholders to plan scope and format of events, establish and monitor budgets, and/or review administrative procedures and event progress.
• Serve as project leader on specific events, coordinating teams that plan, implement, and manage all aspects of events such as: marketing, vendors, fan experience, ticket office, concessions, press and/or media.
• Responsible for budget planning and management, venue management and equipment and facilities management for specific events.
• Oversee development of registration strategy and logistics.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.
• Procure and coordinate vendor services. Negotiate vendor contracts to minimize liability and risks.
• Research and provide recommendations for potential event locations, and evaluate alternatives.
• Investigate, document and report complaints regarding all aspects of events including customer service, crowd control and staff issues.
• May inspect event facilities for maintenance, janitorial and fire safety issues, ensuring enforcement of Environmental Health and Safety and other facility regulations. Arrange for correction if issues are found.
• Communicate with visiting entities such as vendors, teams, coaches and officials for assigned events.
• Train and supervise junior event planners in proper execution and implementation of events.
• May oversee support staff, students, and contingent event staff.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated success managing event teams and planning, developing budgets, and meeting budget goals.
• Excellent project management skills, and the ability to manage complex timelines and multiple projects.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, time management, and customer service skills. Must be well organized and detailed oriented.
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to cultivate partnerships.
• Demonstrated high level of confidence in making strategic decisions, good judgment, and innovative and creative problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, File Maker Pro and knowledge of cloud applications such as Google Docs and Forms.
• Ability to interact and successfully collaborate with a broad spectrum of contributing groups and customers.

Certificates and Licenses Required:

Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver’s License.

Drivers License Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver’s License.
• Ability to drive day or night.
• When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.