Stanford's Graduate School of Business 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 developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world. We invite you to be part of this mission.
The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES) is at the heart of entrepreneurial learning at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). The CES team is hiring an Associate Director (AD) to lead the planning and execution of important entrepreneurial co-curricular programs that provide students with opportunities to augment their classes with experiential, "learn-by-doing" programs offered outside of the classroom.
The Associate Director will lead strategy and execution of multiple co-curricular programs including:
The Botha Chan Innovation Program, an 8-week summer program for students who are actively evaluating a new startup idea as part of their graduate program.
In addition, the AD will expand and nurture our entrepreneurial community - students, alums, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers - and curate best-in-class resources to support and inform the community.
This is a full-time, one-year, fixed-term position with potential for renewal. The role offers hybrid flexibility, requiring an on-campus presence three to four days a week. Given the intensive nature of the summer Botha Chan Innovation Program, the AD should plan for limited time off between mid-June to-mid August.
Your primary responsibilities* include:
Provide thought leadership, strategic direction, and excellent operational planning and execution of multiple co-curricular learning programs for graduate students from all 7 Stanford schools.
Develop program strategy, interacting with multiple stakeholders, deeply understanding student needs, and collaborating with similar programs.
Develop clear metrics to gauge impact and quality, measure and monitor results carefully and use them to continuously improve the programs. Track student outcomes over a 10+ year horizon to develop longer term metrics of impact.
Develop effective and detailed operational plans and budgets for each program. Manage and execute complex program operations extremely effectively to deliver on learning and student satisfaction goals and to operate within budget.
Manage program communication to a variety of audiences including entrepreneurially-minded graduate students across Stanford university, alumni mentors/reviewers, program coaches and speakers, donors, faculty, etc.
Ensure the programs are built on and leverage Stanford's entrepreneurial curriculum.
Communicate with and guide students during the application process, throughout the program, and post-program. Suggest relevant resources and identify and facilitate introductions to mentors, advisors, and alumni who can provide them with insights and expand their networks.
Ensure students understand the innovation process we teach for evaluating a new venture idea. Provide advice and insights aligned with the innovation process for students to follow to effectively participate in the program. Identify students who may be experiencing challenges in their process and the program and provide coaching and advice to get them back on track.
Effectively manage relationships with important program contributors including, alumni mentors/speakers/application reviewers, faculty, donors, and others in the entrepreneurial community.
Identify, hire, and manage part-time coaches who will work with specific cohorts of student participants.
Approach the programs with a perspective of inclusion so students have the opportunity to interact with startup founders from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and so students from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply and participate.
Collaborate with CES leadership and GSB Development to ensure funding of the program. Prepare data analysis and communications to keep donors informed and engaged.
To be successful in this position, you will bring:
A bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Five or more years is highly preferred.
Excellent program/project management skills. Ability to envision, plan, organize, and implement a program with a high volume of activities and keen attention to detail.
Facile data analysis skills enabling the assessment of program impact and uncovering opportunities for continuous program improvement.
Strong oral and written communication.
Familiarity with, and interest in, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial curriculum and frameworks, startups, and early-stage funding. In-depth participation in entrepreneurial programming through an academic institution, incubator, or accelerator.
Interest in and background to individually advise graduate students in the process of evaluating a startup venture idea.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and comfort networking with various constituents including students, alums, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers. Willing to do outreach to recruit volunteers for advising, mentoring, speaking, and judge/panelist positions.
Ability to manage budgets and develop financial plans.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
Advanced degree; MBA is preferred.
Very strong preference for candidates with experience as a founder, early employee, early-stage investor, or with other direct experience in an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Experience and comfort with Google Suite, which the GSB uses heavily. Willingness to explore and pilot technologies to improve efficiencies and communication (e.g., AirTable, AI tools, data survey tools, software to manage a program's application/admissions process).
The expected pay range for this position is $95,000 to $139,000.00 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.
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 resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and explaining how your skills and capabilities align with the job requirements. We read the cover letters, and they are important in our initial consideration of applications.
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.
Why work at Stanford?Stanford University has changed the world, over and over again.We are one of Silicon Valley's largest employers - and also one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At the same time, our traditions of respect and collaboration sustain a humane, supportive environment in which to pursue your life and your career.At Stanford you'll work with bright, diverse, dedicated people. You'll find encouragement to learn and grow. You'll enjoy excellent benefits and an outstanding environment. How will it change you?