Overview In this role you lead the major gifts function for Stanford Athletics, guiding strategy, staff, and donor engagement to advance prioritized goals. You will manage a high-level portfolio, collaborate with coaches, volunteers, and university colleagues, and steer fundraising programs to meet ambitious targets. The position sits within DAPER's development team, emphasizing donor-centric stewardship and cross functional partnership. You will help sustain a culture of excellence and scholar athletic impact, shaping philanthropic outcomes at scale.
Responsibilities- Plan and implement a targeted fundraising program
- Cultivate and solicit gifts to Stanford
- Manage an active donor portfolio and track progress
- Engage assigned prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward support
- Collaborate with staff, academic leaders, and faculty to develop gift strategies
- Lead fundraising activities, stewardship, and volunteer coordination
- Staff academic leaders and institutional representatives in donor interactions
- Direct and supervise major gift officers, infrastructure partners, and support staff
- Provide professional growth opportunities to increase team retention and capacity
- Allocate resources effectively and resolve internal allocation issues
Key requirements- Eight years of relevant experience and management experience
- Demonstrated fundraising experience with diplomacy and excellent judgment
- Ability to lead, motivate, and earn respect across levels
- Strategic capability to design and implement fundraising plans
- Proven success managing major gifts initiatives
- Strong customer service orientation for faculty
- Proven track record of meeting fundraising goals while balancing donor and faculty relationships
- Ability to manage multiple fundraising activities simultaneously
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience recruiting, mentoring, and placing staff
- Experience engaging diverse groups and strong volunteer management skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Diplomacy
- Leadership
- Fundraising strategy
- Portfolio management
- Donor stewardship
