Associate Dean for External Relations, Stanford Law School

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

29d • Hybrid

About The Position

Stanford Law School seeks an Associate Dean (AD) for External Relations. Reporting to the Dean of Stanford Law School, the AD functions as the chief development officer and as the principal advocate for the dean's funding priorities to alumni and friends of the School. The successful candidate should possess deep fundraising experience, handle him/her/themselves with sensitivity, diplomacy, and discretion; demonstrate exceptional professional judgement, and an ability to lead, inspire and mentor individuals and teams. If you have the leadership and strategic skills to balance prospect identification and solicitation, build donor-centered and meaningful relationships, develop, execute and measure progress toward strategic objectives, and partner effectively with academic leadership, faculty, senior staff, and fellow SLS and university development colleagues, then this position is for you. The Associate Dean for External Relations, SLS is the principal advisor to the Dean on all aspects of development, alumni relations. The AD will also work closely with the Chief Communications Officer at the law School. The AD serves as the chief liaison to Stanford University's Office of Development and acts as the School advocate in that office. The Associate Dean helps to define and shape the central role that the Dean and senior associate deans plays with donors and actively participates with them in the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors. The Associate Dean represents the Dean before various donor constituencies and plays a central role in the external relations of the School. As a senior officer of SLS, the Associate Dean works with the Dean, other senior leaders at the school and each of the academic departments and interdisciplinary programs of the School, to formulate fundraising priorities and define specific gift opportunities. The Associate Dean and his/her staff work closely with the Dean, the faculty and senior university Development staff to develop marketing strategies that can be used to promote people and programs requiring gift support. The Associate Dean serves as the principal gift fundraiser for the law school.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and twelve years of relevant experience and management experience, preferably in an educational institution or nonprofit, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Significant major gift fundraising experience, with a demonstrated record of success. Principal gift fundraising experience preferred.
• Excellent judgment, interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to lead and motivate others and earn the respect of associates at all levels.
• Strategic skills to craft and help implement fundraising plans.
• Demonstrated managerial talent and leadership skills in guiding major gifts efforts.
• Customer service expertise serving faculty.
• Proven ability to meet fundraising goals with a strong track record in managing and balancing donor and faculty relationships.
• Ability to manage a large number of fundraising activities simultaneously with maximum independence.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective management experience and excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated experience recruiting, evaluating, mentoring, and developing staff.
• Demonstrated experience engaging and motivating groups of diverse individuals, including strong volunteer management skills.

Responsibilities

• With a current staff of 29, play a critical role in the successful pursuit of the School's fundraising objectives.
• Provides strategy, leadership, and direction for fundraising teams of multiple complex programs with expansive scope and impact.
• Has a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, and develops and implements major gift strategies using whatever school and University resources are required to successfully secure support for the School's objectives. Cultivates and solicits gifts to the University.
• Prepares and provides written materials describing School objectives and join with faculty to serve as expert witnesses with prospective donors. Also monitors the activities of several major support groups that provide ongoing support for the School.
• Collaborates with volunteers, faculty and senior leaders on innovations and goals and develops plans for implementation.
• Directs staff and provides leadership to achieve goals and vision of the organization. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, professional development for direct reports and accountable for the performance of employees.
• Oversight for all programs related to development for the School.
• A commitment to promoting and supporting an environment of diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees