Development Officer Specialist

Have you engaged in a development career and are eager to learn by doing? Do you like connecting the dots of how donor relationships, gift activity, and strategy actually come together? Would you value a role that lets you contribute in meaningful ways behind the scenes while also engaging directly with corporate and foundation partners?

Who We Are:

The Stanford University Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a top-ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice, and policy. Our community includes over 60 faculty, 400 students, 200 staff, more than 14,000 alumni and countless people from the local and global communities we work with and impact.

GSE seeks a full-time Development Officer Specialist to support fundraising for the school, with an emphasis on research centers and schoolwide initiatives. This role specializes in philanthropy from corporations and foundations, working independently on donor engagement while expanding the capacity of gift officers to focus on strategy, cultivation, and stewardship of prospective and current donors.

The Development Officer Specialist will work closely with development officers to manage corporate and foundation portfolios and plays a key role on the GSE External Relations team in advancing the school's strategic fundraising goals.

This position is hybrid. Interested applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing why they are interested in this position at this stage of their career.

What You'll Do:

The Development Officer Specialist supports donor relationships while coordinating the gift activity that advances GSE's fundraising goals. This work includes partnering with research colleagues on donor due diligence, drafting gift agreements with the legal team, liaising with the University's Corporate & Foundation Relations office, and preparing briefings for gift officers, faculty, and volunteer leaders. You will work directly with corporate and foundation representatives, gathering and sharing insights that inform relationship strategy, while helping donors navigate university processes and translating faculty priorities into clear opportunities for support. Behind the scenes, you will keep this work organized, accurate, and moving forward.

You will also take an active role in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporate and foundation donors in support of the GSE's priorities. The strongest candidates for this role are relationship-minded operators--people who are equally comfortable managing process and building meaningful connections.

CORE DUTIES

• Specialize in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate and foundation support for GSE priorities, with a focus on research centers and schoolwide initiatives.
• Conduct behind-the-scenes gift coordination and process management to support effective donor engagement for both this role and GSE gift officers.
• Work with development officers to support strategy, tracking, and engagement of GSE's corporate and foundation donor portfolio.
• Work with faculty members to translate plans and goals for research into compelling funding opportunities for prospective donors.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of GSE center and initiative priorities related to corporate and foundation support.
• Ensure clear coordination and communication of GSE center and initiative priorities and fundraising activities among GSE and campus-wide development colleagues.
• Use enterprise data management systems to maintain accurate constituent relationship and financial records.
• Contribute to teamwide strategic planning and goal setting that strengthen overall fundraising, including corporate and foundation fundraising performance.
• Partner with GSE Development Team members to innovate, develop, and advance strategies that amplify corporate giving.

What You'll Bring:

We are looking for someone who can see the big picture while managing the detailed work that moves both individual and team goals forward. This position calls for someone who is adept at producing high-quality work for internal partners and external constituents and is comfortable navigating institutional relationships with professionalism and care. The successful candidate is a thoughtful, service-oriented colleague who communicates clearly, builds trust across a range of audiences, and approaches the work with curiosity, sound judgment, and follow-through.

Because this position works closely with donors, faculty, development colleagues, and campus partners, you should be able to demonstrate strong relationship-building skills and an ability to coordinate complex efforts with accuracy and discretion. A practical problem solver with a steady work ethic and collaborative mindset will thrive in this role. Some additional requirements include:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience:

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with team members.
• Ability to work efficiently, juggle tasks simultaneously, follow-through and achieve goals.
• Experience working with confidential data and information
• Experience with managing projects to specifications and to meet expected deadlines.
• Capacity to synthesize materials and communicate information in a manner easily understood.
• Highly organized, flexible, and rigorous attention to detail.
• Ability to take leadership role on projects and with staff, faculty, and donors.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work non-standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, write by hand, and sort/file paperwork or parts.
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl, reach/work above shoulders, operate foot and/or hand controls.

The expected pay range for this position is $89,340 - $104,000 per annum.

How to Apply : We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, you must submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application.