Another Source's client, Stanford University, is recruiting a Director of Research Alliance Relations to join their Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDOR). This position is located in Palo Alto, CA. This is a hybrid position; a minimum of 2 days on-site is expected. 

Stanford recognizes that living in the Bay Area comes with a high cost of living. Because of this, they are doing their absolute best to offer a total compensation package that creates an opportunity for you to thrive in a career at Stanford AND enjoy the beautiful Bay Area! How do they do that? 

• This is a hybrid opportunity with the flexibility to work remotely and on Stanford's Palo Alto campus. 
• 17+ transportation programs and resources.  
• 7+ On-site childcare facilities available to you!  
• Relocation assistance is available. 

Being on campus means the opportunity to utilize world-class exercise facilities where you can grab a lunchtime workout to sustainability and environmental responsibility programs that make it easy to live your values:  

• 20+ recreational facilities  
• 18+ Mental health and wellness programs  

A caring culture! We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources:  

• $6,000+ in tuition and training assistance annually 
• Up to 50% of Stanford's annual tuition cost applied to your child's undergraduate tuition across the nation https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards/tgp 
• 18+ PTO/Vacation days per year  
• Up to 5% of your base pay contributed automatically to your 403(b) + a generous match  
• 100% of your retirement account is fully vested immediately  

Position Summary: 

We are seeking a Director of Research Alliance Relations to improve the management of select strategic research agreements and programs between Stanford and external funders. These agreements and programs often span multiple schools and units, requiring strategic coordination with academic leaders and senior staff and frequently including compliance considerations and bespoke programmatic implementations.  

The Director will help manage and facilitate key new and existing complex research programs through effective engagement and coordination between the research funders, subject matter experts, and the various parts of campus needed to ensure compliance with funding agreements. They will need to address evolving needs as funding relationships develop and mature, with a clear sense of how to create efficient governance structures and administrative processes that standardize alliances wherever possible. This role will ideally help researchers do their best work within the bounds of the alliance agreements and ensure that agreements are properly, judiciously, and effectively carried out.  

The Director will report to the Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Operations and work closely with faculty leaders, faculty and researchers, senior staff from various campus offices, and the funder's identified contacts. The near-term emphasis will be continuing to operationalize the relationships with existing alliances (e.g., Chan-Zuckerberg BioHub). The Director will have the opportunity to lead and develop a team of two focused on these relationships and evolve the responsibilities of the role as new strategic research relationships take shape. The approach the team takes may evolve with the needs of external funders and school-level involvement.  

This position will be based on Stanford's main campus and will be considered for an option of hybrid work arrangement, subject to operational need. 

For consideration, applications must include a letter of interest and a resume. 

Salary range depending on experience: $140,000 - $188,000 

CORE DUTIES: 

• Drive and coordinate strategic planning and analysis for complex, usually cross-school research alliances and partnerships with external sponsors. Manage and direct the implementation, administration, and evaluation of select complex research relationships. Monitor trends and recommend programs direction. 
• Act as the subject matter expert for VPDOR and other central business units regarding the interpretation, implementation, and compliance with the partnership agreement.  
• Represent the program at the VPDOR level and to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies. Serve as the point person between Stanford and the sponsors, triaging questions and tracking obligations in the agreement.  
• Direct and manage outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance. 
• Establish and staff governance committees for alliances. Recommend actions and resolve complex issues that span organizational boundaries. 
• Operationalize alliances, including but not limited to setting up and executing financial, administrative, and research compliance procedures for the alliance in partnership with campus organizations; and improve standardization of these procedures. Often requires creative troubleshooting and flexible thinking across different school and unit protocols. 
• Help manage and facilitate outreach strategies that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance. 
• Assist with press releases, stewardship reports, and progress updates in consultation with central business units. 
• Evaluate the long-term operational needs of an alliance and recommend necessary changes to internal business processes or systems to ease administrative burdens and scale and sustain future needs. 
• Be a resource during the stages of certain complex research agreement development, including but not limited to helping to develop a stakeholder consultation plan, problem-solving with subject matter experts, calling out issues and risks, evaluating downstream costs and impacts, balancing competing interests and priorities, and advising leadership.  
• Oversee staff in the development and implementation of certain complex programs or functions. 
• May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

Education & Experience: 

Bachelor's degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrated expertise in facilitating collaboration and communication. 
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries. 
• Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships. 
• Broad understanding of university research environment and public-private partnerships.  
• Strong project planning and management skills. 
• Experience in or knowledge of business process improvement methodology. 
• Ability to act independently and as part of a team. 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan proactively, execute responsibly, and deliver results 
• An empathetic leader 
• A growth mindset 

About The Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDOR):   

The Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDOR) provides guidance and support to facilitate, nurture and safeguard a thriving research ecosystem at Stanford. To this end, the VPDOR assumes dual roles. As Cognizant Dean for the independent academic units, the VPDOR oversees the program scope and resources for the sixteen multi-disciplinary and independent laboratories, centers, and institutes which operate outside of the schools' boundaries. As Vice Provost and the University's Chief Research Officer, the VPDOR recommends and promulgates new policy and its implementation; manages the mission-support offices that provide services of research compliance and administration, health and safety, and technology transfer to Stanford's research enterprise; oversees the program and appointment of Academic Staff - Research; and advises the President and Provost in a broad array of academic issues pertaining to and beyond research.  

We invite you to learn more about our organization here: https://doresearch.stanford.edu/office/office-vice-provost-and-dean-research 

Our VPDoR Diversity Journey: 

• We create a hub of innovation through the power of diversity of disciplines and people. 
• We provide equitable access and opportunity to all members of the community in order to do their best work, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 
• We listen to and value all colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the advancement and development of a respectful community. 
• We promote a culture of belonging, equity, and safety. 
• We embed these values in excellence of education, research, and operation 

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!  

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.