Associate Director of Alumni Events

Founded in 1892 by the first graduating class, the Stanford Alumni Association (SAA) has a mission to reach, serve and engage all Stanford alumni and students; to foster a lifelong intellectual and emotional connection between the university and its graduates; and to provide the university with goodwill and support. SAA believes that diversity and excellence go hand-in-hand and hires individuals with a commitment to working effectively with colleagues and alumni from diverse backgrounds.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide leadership and direction for new and current event programs and projects for Alumni Events, a department of the Stanford Alumni Association. Contribute to the development of strategic plans and long-term objectives in collaboration with the Director of Alumni Events. Communicate organizational mission to staff, including student workers and volunteers, to maximize effectiveness and university exposure. Develop and mentor staff, providing opportunities for professional growth and ensuring the efficient operation of events.

This position will manage project teams and is responsible for delegating both routine and important tasks and decisions, while collaborating with the Director on final decisions, and assuming final responsibility for event logistics through effective team management.

The successful candidate will have superior project and event management skills and have demonstrated the ability to manage multiple projects, complex budgets, and timelines while leading a team of volunteer staff to execute the events onsite. Dependent upon the event calendar, the Associate Director may be required to travel up to 10% throughout the year.

CORE DUTIES*:

Manage staff in the day-to-day operations for functional area(s) of responsibility. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports and accountable for the performance of employees. Ensure work completion within schedule and constraints.

• Provide strategic leadership for the creation, development, and execution of events.
• Build effective and focused event planning teams; create strong morale and team spirit.
• Oversee the management of event teams and/or production consultants to produce quality, multi-faceted events and productions.
• Work cross-departmentally to prepare and manage complex program budgets and ROI proposals.
• Delegate both routine and important tasks and decisions, while assuming final responsibility for event logistics through effective team management.
• Frequently interact with subordinate supervisors, customers, and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas or other schools, departments/units.
• Analyze successes and failures and implement improvements; marshal resources to accomplish goals.
• Scope the length and difficulty of tasks, projects, and events; help team break down work into process steps. Identify opportunities for synergy and integration.
• Develop on-going relationships with internal and external partners.

* Other duties may also be assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES*:

• Serve as Project Manager and Lead Event Manager for Reunion Homecoming. This includes (but not limited to): Coordination of all campus partner events, affiliate events, marketing liaison (for all print, digital, and email).
• Serve as the budget lead for Reunion Homecoming program. Oversee RH budget in collaboration with organizational leaders from ASCO, Accounting, Alumni Events, and Cabinet members.  Responsible for creating annual budgets and monitoring monthly variances.
• Partner with Reunion Homecoming project team for events during the weekend. Oversee all class tent events (class lunches, tailgates), negotiate catering contracts, manage vendor relationships. 
• Oversee registration operations: strategy, pricing, data capture, etc.
• Serve as project leader on several other SAA events as needed. Collaborate with SAA colleagues that plan, implement, and manage all aspects of events.
• Supervisor of (3) direct reports: Event Manager, Assistant Event Manager, and Event Coordinator.

* Other duties may also be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated history in creating innovative event planning strategies and successful event collaborations.
• Excellent judgment and decisiveness, high integrity, enthusiasm, diplomacy, and tact.
• A collaborative leader who engages and empowers an organized team of event planning professionals, fostering a strong, cohesive team environment.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Skilled at developing a staff of professionals and support personnel. Includes selection, motivation, and leadership of staff, as well as evaluation and development.
• Demonstrated competency in budget management, cost accounting and vendor contract relationships.
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships.

The expected pay range for this position is $110,000 to $152,000 per annum.

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.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. 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.

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.