Associate Dean for Development

Stanford University (Stanford) seeks a deeply seasoned, impact-oriented, and entrepreneurial fundraising leader to serve as the associate dean for development (AD) for the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS). This is a rare opportunity to shape the growth trajectory of a new school at one of the world’s premier research universities and dramatically amplify Stanford’s impact in tackling the urgent climate and sustainability challenges facing all people.

Building on Stanford’s foundational commitment to improving lives, SDSS formally launched in 2022 as the university’s first new school in 75 years. Its creation was made possible through a $1.7 billion fundraising effort, including a $1.1 billion naming gift by John and Ann Doerr—the largest gift in university history. Drawing on the expertise of scholars across Stanford and industry leaders, SDSS is a global hub and model for fostering excellence in education, cutting-edge research, and real-world solutions to sustainability challenges, translating knowledge into action, and ensuring a future for humanity and the planet. As SDSS enters its fifth year amid a pivotal moment for U.S. conservation policy, its mission to educate the next generation of leaders, advance transformative research, and drive global impact has never been more vital. Philanthropy remains essential to the success of this mission.

Reporting to a visionary partner in Dean Arun Majumdar, the AD will serve as chief philanthropy officer and as a key member of the school’s senior leadership team. In addition, the AD will maintain dotted line reporting to the associate vice president (AVP) in the Office of Development (OOD) and collaborate closely with central OOD colleagues, driving principal gift strategy that balances donor intent with the most pressing institutional priorities. To that end, the AD will design an ambitious, forward-looking, multi-year fundraising strategy that sustainably scales the school’s philanthropic enterprise during a critical growth phase. Leading a 12-person team, the AD will build fundraising capacity to support both immediate priorities and long-term strategic ambitions. Key priorities include raising capital support for the new Sustainability Commons, set to begin construction in late 2026; the hiring of an additional 60 faculty over 10 years to provide strength and breadth across areas of scholarship; growth of the Sustainability Accelerator; and continued endowment and research support.

As a trusted thought partner to the dean, the AD will help shape bold new ideas for SDSS, turning the strongest into clear, prioritized, and widely championed initiatives. The AD will bring a broad institutional perspective to the role, contributing to strategic direction as a member of the dean’s senior team and forging strong partnerships across SDSS and other divisions, schools, and units in a complex matrixed environment. In close collaboration with academic leadership and faculty, the AD will learn and articulate the school’s priorities and aspirations to individual and institutional donors. As a highly visible ambassador, broadcaster, and content connector, the AD will often travel with the dean and other key partners to cultivate and steward key relationships, including with SDSS’s Leadership Advisory Council and other highest-impact donors.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record leading high-performing fundraising programs, preferably within a complex research university environment. Success in this role requires strong intellectual curiosity, a commitment to advancing climate action, and an entrepreneurial mindset that turns bold ideas into results. Of equal importance is the ability to translate complex academic content into compelling donor narratives, along with the agility to learn quickly and engage deeply with faculty and their content areas. This individual must possess achievement in personally securing principal gifts from individual and institutional donors, with a high degree of comfort and effectiveness in working with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, global organizational leaders, and philanthropists who may not have an existing institutional affinity. The AD will be an unflappable problem-solver and relationship builder who can thrive in a fast-paced environment and inspire a team to meet ambitious goals.

Rachel Ellenport and Grace Zakim are leading this search with Christina Garrison and Rebecca Lyons.

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.