Communications and Special Projects Director, IFDM

Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) 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. We invite you to be part of our mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world.

Success at the GSB is defined by The GSB Way - a commitment to shared purpose, community, and excellence in all that we do. We seek individuals who elevate themselves and those around them through the practice of academic candor, generous collaboration, and bringing curiosity and rigor to solving meaningful problems. At the GSB, impact means taking ownership, and contributing to a purpose-driven, collaborative, and high-performing community in service to the institution’s mission.

The Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM) is recruiting a Communications and Special Projects Director based at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in Stanford, CA. IFDM is spearheading efforts to change the future for people worldwide through financial literacy. IFDM believes in equipping people with the skills to make informed financial decisions. Despite the growth of personal finance education, many challenges remain. IFDM is working to promote personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation, encouraging more universities to offer relevant courses and employers to provide financial literacy programs. It is also collaborating with thought leaders, policymakers, and the financial and tech industry.

The Communications and Special Projects Director leads communication and outreach across the full spectrum of IFDM programs and initiatives. This position requires expertise in multiple areas of communication, including digital channels, media relations, marketing, executive communication, and thought leadership.

Additionally, the Communications and Special Projects Director is accountable for driving all IFDM communication, marketing, and special projects. This complex undertaking requires the ability to navigate detailed economic and financial language and provide targeted, relatable information for all external audiences. Close coordination with all IFDM directors is essential to deliver the right messages to the right stakeholders, aligned with IFDM’s mission. This role is part of IFDM's leadership team.

The budgeted salary range for this role is: $130220-$180,000 per year.

Core Duties:

• Lead communication deliverables in an area of expertise or for a unit or complex program.

• Oversee and/or develop complex communications for various content delivery channels.

• Oversee and/or develop and design complex or highly visible communications.

• Support the development of strategic direction and implementation of long- and short-term communication plans with direct impact to a unit or program.

• Evaluate potential vendors’ quality, process, and cost and either make a selection or recommendation.

• Maintain knowledge by attending webinars, conferences, networking etc. to remain at the forefront of current industry standards, trends and technology.

• Analyze data and curate illustrations, photos, and pictures for assignments.

• May oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.

• Work in collaboration with Institutional Communicators on media relations content and other areas.

Minimum Education and Experience

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal communications groups across campus.

• Demonstrated management skills and the ability to build and sustain a best in class communications team.

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex materials and communicate information in a manner easily understood.

• Experience with project management and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed work with high level of accuracy and attention to detail.