Director, Initiative for Financial Decision Making - Stanford University

Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation through immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students with 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 Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM), a collaboration among the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), and the Economics Department, is recruiting an inaugural Director based at the (GSB) in Stanford, CA. IFDM is spearheading the effort to improve people's financial wellbeing through financial literacy. IFDM's mission is to equip people, especially the young and underprivileged, with skills for making informed financial decisions based on sound academic research insights. Despite the growth of personal finance education, challenges remain, such as insufficient training for instructors and students' knowledge retention. IFDM supports high schools, universities, and employers by providing tools, programs, and research-based evidence to promote financial literacy on a large scale.

Funded through a generous gift, IFDM has ambitious goals and seeks a Director to scale the organization to accomplish those goals for maximum impact. A critical role for the Director is to build a bridge between the scholarly research on financial literacy performed at Stanford and real-world impact. The Director should help scholars translate their work for maximum impact and allow researchers to gain insights from IFDM's real-world engagements.

The Director will develop, manage, and coordinate administrative and operations-related functions for IFDM. This role includes collaborating closely with the Faculty Director, faculty, and administrative and programmatic staff members across Stanford to drive IFDM operations. In coordination with the Faculty Director, the Director develops, implements, and administers the vision, strategy, and goals of IFDM and all associated programs on a national and international level.

The Director has two reporting responsibilities. Operationally and strategically, the Director reports to and works closely with the Faculty Director and is accountable for driving all IFDM activities in close coordination with IFDM team members. Administratively, the position reports to the Director of Operations within the GSB's Research Hub. This complex undertaking requires an ability to effectively navigate budgeting, execution, and financial management systems, support and coordinate the research and development of financial literacy tools, educational materials, and curriculum, and manage IFDM human resource requirements and staffing.

Primary responsibilities of the Director include:

Strategy

• Develop and provide strategic analysis and review of multi-year plans, including alternative methods for achieving goals when necessary, in consultation with the Faculty Director. Offer recommendations for programmatic and educational operations, and the organization's future development.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Director to drive IFDM's planning and partnership development. Engage in strategic discussions to shape IFDM's long-term vision and objectives. Develop detailed action plans, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and resource availability.
• Provide leadership to achieve the organization's goals and vision and manage its day-to-day operations. Ensure all activities align with established goals and IFDM's strategic direction.
• Coordinate with the fund-raising teams at GSB and Stanford to maximize funding opportunities and develop and coordinate an Advisory Board.
• Design and implement strategic plans to promote IFDM visibility and impact, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and support the achievement of IFDM's objectives. This includes crafting messages and coordinating with internal and external partners to ensure consistent and effective dissemination of research and programs.

Operations

• Collaborate with the Faculty Director and team members to allocate resources effectively, addressing any budgetary concerns or programmatic adjustments to ensure successful completion on time and within budget.
• Work with focal points within GSB, SIEPR and the Economics Department and coordinate activities.
• Interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with University academic and administrative policies and procedures. Recommend new internal policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, ensuring their services meet the Initiative's standards and requirements. Oversees the procurement process, from selection to contract negotiation and execution.

Financial Management

• Develop and maintain IFDM's budget in collaboration with the Faculty Director. Ensure financial stability and compliance with funding requirements, and conduct regular financial forecasting and monitoring to ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all financial transactions within IFDM.

Human Resources

• In consultation with the Faculty Director, hire and retain staff and provide career coaching and personal development for direct reports. Accountable for employees' performance. Ensure compliance with Stanford human resources policies and programs while coordinating with Research Hub Operations on all human resource actions.

Research Support

• Coordinate with IFDM's Faculty, Research, and Communications Directors to build and maintain strong relationships with research partners, data providers, government agencies, nonprofits, and other community groups. Help disseminate research findings for maximum impact.
• Coordinate with oversight entities at Stanford (e.g., Office of Sponsored Research and Research Compliance Office) and Research Hub units (e.g., Data Advisory Group and Data Analytics and Research Computing) to ensure the timely acquisition of data, compliance with data use agreements, and safe storage of all research data.
• Seek out and support the development of new grant proposals and manage the completion and submission of grant deliverables.

Additional Responsibilities

• Remain adaptable and willing to take on various tasks as needed to support the IFDM's goals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Applicants require a Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including conflict resolution.
• Regimented organizational abilities accounting for a variety of project, personnel, financial, and research-related inputs.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong financial expertise in accounting, budget planning, and financial forecasting.
• Expertise in grants and contract administration.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with significant experience directing the activities of an academic program and staff.

This position is campus-based with limited hybrid flexibility and requires onsite presence during events and special engagements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently stand/walk, sit, grasp lightly/fine manipulate, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Occasionally, use a telephone, write by hand, and lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
• Ability to use voice to present information/communicate with others.
• On-campus mobility.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May work extended hours, evenings, or weekends.
• May travel domestically and internationally.
• Occasional overnight travel.

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.

The expected pay range for this position is $145,000-$185,000 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, the base pay represents only one aspect of the total 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. Specific details 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 cover letter and resume along with your online application.

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 course audits. Join a TedTalk, or 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.