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"Assistant Director of Programs - Stanford Sustainability Accelerator"

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Assistant Director of Programs - Stanford Sustainability Accelerator

Assistant Director

2026-02-01

Location

Palo Alto, CA, USA

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Type

Staff / Administration

Salary

$120,038 to $153,486 per annum

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 5 years relevant experience
Prioritize and manage time-sensitive projects
Diplomacy and tact
Creativity, problem solving, critical analysis
Planning and organizational skills
Teamwork and independent work
Excellent communication
Sustainability and entrepreneurship knowledge

Research Areas

Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
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Assistant Director of Programs - Stanford Sustainability Accelerator

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability works toward a world where humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school has a three-part structure:

  • Academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people.
  • Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges.
  • The Sustainability Accelerator serves as a launchpad for sustainability solutions, turning innovative ideas into transformative and scalable technologies and policies that will substantially improve the quality of human life and our planet. The Sustainability Accelerator is rooted in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and works across the University and with external partners to drive solutions from the lab into the world.

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change. For more information, please click here.

The Sustainability Accelerator seeks an experienced Assistant Director to lead and oversee the planning of programs and functions at both the Flagship and Accelerator levels. Under the guidance of an Accelerator Managing Director, the candidate will assist Accelerator Flagship-funded project teams in developing their solutions and externalization plans. The Assistant Director will drive the grant and project selection process and contribute to the support services and training offered by the Accelerator. Under the direction of the Accelerator Executive Director, the candidate will play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and optimizing business processes, knowledge management, and other cross-Flagship-cutting practices across the Accelerator to ensure efficiency, consistency, and alignment, thereby facilitating execution of Accelerator goals.

CORE DUTIES

  • Lead the development and execution of programs or functions that support project teams to develop externalization plans, including business, regulatory, and/or technical derisking.
  • Evaluate programs or functions, and procedures across the Accelerator. Identify issues and develop solutions and tools.
  • Review and analyze industry, policy, and market trends across Flagship areas to advise and develop recommendations to achieve or modify the goals of the program or function.
  • Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
  • Manage and contribute to the development of outreach strategies that may include relationship development, communications and compliance. This may include investors, scaling partners, government and industry experts, and potential team members.
  • Assess the support/training needs of project teams and may develop associated training materials and support services.
  • May direct and/or supervise staff.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
  • Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and, decision-making skills.
  • Demonstrated solid planning and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
  • Strong relevant subject matter knowledge in the areas of sustainability and entrepreneurship.

In addition, our preferred requirements include:

  • Experience working in an entrepreneurial setting, launching or scaling a company, organization, or program.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders & experts across different disciplines and guide efforts towards results.
  • Ability to influence without authority.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Occasional evening and weekend hours.

* *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 by submitting a contact form.**

The expected pay range for this position is $120,038 to $153,486 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.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button.

*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.*

*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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Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What are the minimum qualifications for the Assistant Director of Programs role?

Requires a Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or equivalent combination. Key skills include prioritizing time-sensitive projects, diplomacy, creativity, problem-solving, planning, teamwork, communication, and knowledge in sustainability and entrepreneurship. Preferred: entrepreneurial experience and stakeholder interaction. Learn more about higher ed career advice.

📋What are the core duties?

Lead program development for project teams' externalization plans, evaluate and improve procedures, analyze industry, policy, market trends in Flagship areas, represent the program, manage outreach strategies with investors/partners, assess training needs, and supervise staff.

💰What is the salary and benefits?

Expected pay range: $120,038 to $153,486 per annum. Stanford offers comprehensive rewards; see employer branding secrets and Cardinal at Work benefits.

🛂Is visa sponsorship available?

No mention of visa sponsorship in the posting. U.S. work authorization required. Check higher ed jobs for similar roles.

📅How to apply and what is the deadline?

Apply via the "Apply for Job" button. Deadline: 2026-02-01. Review full duties and responsibilities; duties may vary. Stanford is an EEO employer. See academic CV tips.
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