Director of Finance and Operations, Stanford PACS

The Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) is a global interdisciplinary research center and publisher of the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR). Stanford PACS develops and shares knowledge to improve philanthropy, strengthen civil society, and address societal challenges. By creating a shared space for scholars, students, and practitioners, Stanford PACS informs policy and social innovation, philanthropic investment, and nonprofit practice. 

 Stanford PACS is home to 9 different research programs led by faculty members that represent a number of different disciplines and have appointments across five of the seven schools at Stanford. Research programs cover a wide range of topics focused on solving social problems, ranging from the role of digital technology and platforms in democratic decision-making to aiding philanthropists in achieving their objectives most effectively. Additionally, Stanford PACS offers several PhD and postdoctoral fellowships to scholars doing promising new research that will advance the study of civil society organizations and the role of philanthropy in promoting social change. Stanford PACS also hosts convenings for scholars, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropists which are all designed to create a cross-disciplinary intellectual community with the goal of enhancing the quality and visibility of research and practice in these fields. 

 Stanford PACS seeks a Director of Finance and Operations to help advance its efforts. This position reports to the Executive Director, and as a key member of the Stanford PACS senior leadership team, will work with faculty, staff, and our scholar and student community to provide support on all aspects of our finance, operations, human resources and grants management. 

 The ideal candidate must be an excellent collaborator with an ability to work in a decentralized university setting, be reliable and curious to learn, enjoy having a variety of daily responsibilities, have a positive and inclusive approach to teamwork, and help create a thriving culture and community for our staff and scholars. We are interested in candidates who are experienced and entrepreneurial and can handle responsibilities related to financial management and compliance, academic program administration, grants management for general support and complex research projects, and management and coordination of operations-related functions for the center. Our ideal candidate will be experienced in talent management to include recruiting, performance management, and high-potential development. The position supervises a finance associate. 

 We prefer candidates who have familiarity with academia and/or the nonprofit sector and have extensive experience with budgeting and financial forecasting, reviewing and presenting complex financial information in easily digestible formats to key decision makers, and all aspects of grants management. This role will serve as a strategic human resources advisor to the senior leadership team of PACS and will need to be an excellent relationship manager to successfully liaise with different departments across the University to advance our operational objectives. The ideal candidate will be creative and resourceful and will find ways to advance Stanford PACS’ mission and goals by leveraging the full breadth of resources at Stanford.

In order to succeed, this individual should have a general interest in the field of philanthropy, civil society, and social innovation.

This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.

Your responsibilities include*: 

Strategic Leadership

Partner with executive director and faculty leadership on the center’s affairs and advocate for the unit's needs and goals to internal and external parties. Contribute to and inform on strategic program/unit planning and related funding and financial sustainability.  Represent the program or unit to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.  Oversee monitoring and evaluation of all PACS programs in collaboration with Executive Director and Communications team.

General Operations

Independently implement, administer, and evaluate day-to-day activities of the unit by identifying and executing tasks and objectives, making recommendations that impact policies and programs, and assigning resources to achieve the goals of the program and unit. Analyze unit or program needs and make recommendations to senior team for changes in staffing, facilities, health and safety compliance, finance, technology and/or administrative functions. Analyze and interpret policies; develop, revise, and implement procedures for unit. Commit resources, recruit and develop personnel, and provide information and/or training.  Evaluate business processes and operational and/or financial effectiveness. Develop business plans.

Finance, Budgeting & Grants Management

Develop and monitor consolidated budget and grant budgets; implement financial growth and sustainability strategies.  Recommend and develop strategies for general cost containment, strategic investments, and growth management.  Provide reliable quarterly financial updates and forecasts to both individual programs and to the senior team and faculty for the overall center. Perform budget forecasting for unit and provide recommendations that determine the budget.  Collaborate with Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up and expended properly.

Human Resources

Work closely with relevant team members on hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, ensuring required training is completed, personal development, and performance management across the center.  Responsible for ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment for staff, faculty, and trainees who represent diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identification, disability and abilities, sexual preference, and perspectives.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience. Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines. Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness. Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment, and decision-making skills. Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals. Demonstrated solid planning and organizational skills. Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team. Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. Strong relevant subject matter knowledge. Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

Prior experience in a professional academic setting  Advanced Excel modeling skills for developing complex financial analyses and decision support models. Experience with current Stanford financial systems (i.e., Oracle, OBI, etc.) Strong familiarity with business intelligence tools for reporting and analysis. Knowledge of personnel management, including proposing efforts for and training and hiring of students, post-doctoral scholars, academic appointments, regular and contingent staff, and consultants, along with the circumstances appropriate for each type of position. Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including scholars, industry leaders, students and staff. Demonstrated supervisory skills including conflict resolution and staff development experience. Strong negotiation and effective interpersonal skills. Demonstrated interpersonal skills, strong EQ and expertise in group dynamics. Successful track record of establishing credibility and trust with a diverse client group.  ​​Ability to build the confidence of others through open communication and respectful behavior.  Excellent facilitation, oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver formal presentations.

 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 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

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications 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 accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

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.