Director, Private Capital Institute, Stanford Law School, Executive Education

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

54d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Private Capital Institute will serve as Stanford Law School's focal point for executive education, convenings, and practitioner‑oriented research across venture capital, growth equity, private equity, and private credit. The Institute's mission is to elevate practice, policy, and leadership in private markets by connecting industry leaders, faculty, and policymakers through high‑impact programs and applied insights. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Executive Education and Strategic Partnerships. The inaugural Director should be a senior private‑markets operator who brings deep industry experience, credibility, and a robust network across VC, growth, PE, and private credit. Beyond translating strategy into execution, the Director will set the Institute's industry agenda-shaping practitioner‑focused thought leadership, convening top decision‑makers, and leveraging long‑standing relationships to open doors, secure data/insights, and elevate the Institute as the premier hub for private markets. As the Institute's founding leader, the Director will establish core operating processes, but their differentiator is industry leadership: curating the most relevant topics, mobilizing marquee speakers and sponsors, and co‑creating applied content (white papers, case studies, benchmarks) that influences practice and policy.

Requirements

• Advanced degree and five years of relevant experience in area of specialization or combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience. For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans. Experience developing program partnerships and funding sources.
• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
• Advanced oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
• Ability to oversee and direct staff.
• Ability to manage budgets and develop financial plans.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead Industry Thought Leadership: Set the thematic roadmap; originate and co‑author practitioner white papers and case studies; secure industry data partnerships; develop an editorial calendar that surfaces timely, actionable insights. Lead and oversee development, implementation, administration, and operations of new Institute. Lead strategic planning for the Institute.
• Leverage and Expand Networks: Represent the Institute to the broader university, external community, and other stakeholders. Provide expert consultation related to program development, funding opportunities, or other specialty area. Activate C‑suite, investment manager, institutional investor, advisor, and regulator relationships to recruit speakers, sponsors, and collaborators; build an advisory bench and community of recurring contributors.
• Launch & Scale Operations: Stand up the Institute's brand and governance; create repeatable playbooks for events, executive education, and custom offerings; ensure on‑time, high‑quality delivery.
• Develop Programs & Partnerships: Design the Private Capital Summit (flagship) and targeted convenings (e.g., Regulatory Exchange, GC Councils); scope client needs and align faculty/industry experts.
• Drive Revenue: Build sponsorship/major‑gift pipelines; craft tiered benefits; set pricing for programs/custom engagements; track conversion, renewals, and multi‑year commitments in partnership with Development.
• Steward Reputation & Communications: Develop outreach strategy related to program communications, development, partnerships and fundraising/funding. Set quality standards for participant experience and content; coordinate announcements and media with SLS Communications; measure and publish impact.
• Build the Team (upon fundraising success): Hire and mentor staff across programs, partnerships, and content/research; institute performance management and professional development.

What This Job Offers

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