Donor Relations Officer 1

School of Engineering, Stanford, California, United States Development. Apr 30, 2026 Post Date. Requisition #108576 Note: This position has been deemed critical by the School of Engineering Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze. The School of Engineering Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century, creating pivotal technologies that have transformed the worlds of information technology, communications, health care, energy, business and beyond. Our faculty and students are creative risk-takers who pursue excellence across a breadth of disciplines. Our alumni include some of the world's most successful leaders in technology and business. Our staff members are critical to enabling Stanford Engineering to accomplish its mission: seeking solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges and educating leaders who will make the world a better place through the power of engineering principles, techniques and systems. The Development Office of the School of Engineering at Stanford University is seeking a Donor Relations Officer 1 . The Donor Relations team is responsible for planning and executing a broad range of stewardship and development communications activities to strengthen ties to the School of Engineering and increase individuals' desire to provide philanthropic support. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, the donor relations office will manage a portfolio of stewardship and donor engagement activities, overseeing annual reporting, gift acknowledgment, donor communications, and recognition projects while ensuring gifts are administered in accordance with donor intent and university policies. If you are a detail‑oriented project manager and strong writer who excels at coordinating across multiple stakeholders, analyzing donor data, and delivering timely, high‑quality stewardship initiatives, this role may be a great fit. In This Role, You Will Manage a portfolio of annual reporting and donor engagement activities on behalf of the university by establishing and executing project plans, timelines, tasks, and objectives. Develop and provide recommendations on best methodologies to engage individual donors by analyzing past trends, researching donor profiles, and collaborating with colleagues to identify and produce key donor relations deliverables, including donor correspondence, videos or events. Execute fiduciary responsibility to ensure that gifts are awarded and utilized in accordance with donor expectations and university policies in a timely manner. Resolve discrepancies and elevate when needed. Responsible for the gift acknowledgment process including identifying gifts that qualify for acknowledgement. Ensure the process is completed in a timely manner; work on solutions to avoid possible delays. May write original copy of acknowledgements on behalf of university leaders (e.g., the president, board chair, dean). Work with non-development colleagues in the process of executing stewardship activities and to ensure funds are spent in alignment with donors' wishes. Manage the process of requesting gift usage information from beneficiaries (such as students, faculty). May draft, edit, rewrite, and exercise judgment to determine appropriateness of content. Create reports of funds awarded and ensure timely delivery to donors using appropriate messaging. May initiate the gift entry process by setting up donor relations information in the system. Perform an annual audit of assigned portfolios against the development database to ensure that all related documents, fund, stewardee, and beneficiary information is accurate and complete. Identify and resolve any inaccuracies. Independently project manage donor recognition projects, including creating communications with donors, colleagues, and vendors, which may include: donor walls, signage and websites. Participate in special projects as assigned. May assist with creating and executing events; coordinate with the donor relations community on cross‑functional events. Manage vendors/consultants on specific projects and may oversee key vendor and consultant relationships. Education & Experience Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Superior organizational skills. Excellent writing, research and editorial skills; ability to synthesize information and compose clear and effective materials. Ability to listen and respond with diplomacy and tact. Demonstrated experience managing and coordinating multiple complex projects with competing deadlines. Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about donors and projects to which they are assigned. Strong customer service focus; excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated sound judgment in situations requiring independent decision‑making and in handling confidential and sensitive material. Proficient in MS Office Suite and database applications. Demonstrated project management skills. Working Conditions May require working flexible hours, including nights and weekends. Physical Requirements Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, stand/walk, sit, use a telephone. Occasionally light/fine grasping, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds, writing by hand. Work Standards Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations. Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, Pay Range The expected pay range for this position is $90,876 to $101,963 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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 ( 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 Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. 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! 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. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position. 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. Additional Information Schedule: Full-time Job Code: 4321 Employee Status: Regular Grade: G Requisition ID: 108576 Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible #J-18808-Ljbffr Inside Higher Ed