Senior Director, Alumni Relations

Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research, and offering a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non-degree programs that deliver global impact like no other. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in service of our mission of creating ideas that deepen and advance the understanding of management and, with those ideas, to develop innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change the world. The school celebrates its centennial in 2025!

GSB Alumni Relations Office

Stanford GSB’s Alumni Relations Office engages and serves the 30,000+ Stanford GSB graduates of the MBA, MS/Sloan, and PhD degree programs and of the Stanford Executive Program. Alumni are integral to the life of the school. They serve as leaders of the 60+ global chapter, admission interviewers, mentors to students, classroom speakers, volunteer leaders, and reunion organizers. The focus areas are:

• Alumni Community & Engagement - partnering with alumni volunteers based on where they live or the affinities with which they engage
• Alumni Education & Outreach - bringing the GSB’s research and teaching to alumni worldwide
• Diverse Alumni Communities - building and strengthening alumni communities that are based on the identities alumni embrace
• Reunions & Special Events - connecting alumni through best-in-class reunion programming and high-impact events

Job Purpose

The Senior Director of Alumni Relations is a strategic leader focused on connecting more than 30,000 Stanford GSB alumni to each other and to the school. This role is a key part of the senior leadership team of GSB External Relations, comprising 50 staff and thousands of alumni volunteers. With a team of 15+ including Alumni Communities & Engagement, Alumni Strategic Outreach & Education, Diverse Alumni Communities, and Reunions & Special Events, this role will channel and convey the voice of Stanford GSB alumni in activities, communications, events, and programs.

As a key member of the GSB’s External Relations leadership team, you will set the overall Alumni Relations vision, drive strategic planning, and build meaningful long-term relationships with alumni. You will work closely with GSB colleagues in communications, development (fundraising), information systems, special events and programs; faculty; and key university partners, particularly in the Stanford Alumni Association and other Stanford graduate schools.

Your primary responsibilities include:

• Drive Vision for Alumni Engagement in GSB’s Second Century
  • Conceive opportunities during Centennial period to set new standard for alumni engagement
  • Apply creativity to improve communication, delivery, and marketing of programs and activities
  • Embed data-centric approach to alumni relations throughout activities
• Lead Operations of the Alumni Relations Office
  • Provide vision and oversight (including engagement metrics) for organization
  • Work closely with managers on specific activities and programs
• Empower Attract, Develop, Motivate, and Retain Staff
  • Shape a culture that attracts, develops, excites, and retains high-performing colleagues
  • Create opportunities for development and growth to maximize employees’ potential
• Engage Stanford Business School Alumni Association Board
  • Identify, cultivate, and support board members; foster and maintain productive relationships between board members and the school
  • Oversee all board-related activity, including meetings and the work of related committees, task forces, or working groups
• Represent the GSB and University
  • Establish and build relationships with alumni locally, nationally, and globally
  • Represent the alumni association at internal and external events and programs
• Collaborate with GSB and Campus Partners
  • Build and maintain ties with departments across Stanford GSB and the University to engage and serve alumni

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Valid California Non-commercial Class Driver’s License.
• Ability to obtain a valid passport for international travel. Some local, domestic or international travel will be required.
• Excellent management skills, including a track record of attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining professional staff.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams.
  • Tact and proven ability to manage diverse staff in different functions.
• Strong track record as relationship builder and collaborator. Success in managing and organizing others, including volunteers, is highly preferred.
  • Strong ability to understand customer needs, show good judgment and diplomacy, and a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Experience in and responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating programs designed to reach, serve, and engage university constituencies.
• Excellent strategic, organizational, and project management skills, and the ability to simultaneously plan and execute multiple projects.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work outdoors.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Familiarity with Stanford University, Stanford GSB, and/or alumni relations
• Advanced degree

The expected pay range for this position is $180,000 to $230,000 per year.

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. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application.

Why Stanford is for You

Stanford’s dedicated 16,000 staff come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global sphere. We provide competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our generous perks align with what matters to you:

• Freedom to grow. Take advantage of career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
• A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
• A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
• Discovery and fun. Visit campus gardens, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computers, cell phones, recreation, travel, entertainment, and more!

We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.

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.

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.

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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