Director of Finance and Operations Stanford Sustainability Accelerator

Job description

Director of Finance and Operations - Stanford Sustainability Accelerator

**Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford, California, United States**

Administration

Post Date Oct 13, 2025

Requisition # 107349

**_This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause._**

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment VISA.

**About Us**

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability works toward a world where humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity.

The school has a three-part structure:

+ Academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people.
+ Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges.
+ The Sustainability Accelerator serves as a launchpad for sustainability solutions, turning innovative ideas into transformative and scalable technologies and policies that will substantially improve the quality of human life and our planet.

The Sustainability Accelerator is rooted in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and works across the University and with external partners to drive solutions from the lab into the world.

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information, please clickhere.

The Sustainability Accelerator seeks an experienced Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) to lead and oversee all our administrative, operational, and financial functions.

Reporting directly to the Senior Associate Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, this position supports the Accelerator’s Executive Director and Faculty Director to implement strategic initiatives and advance the Accelerator’s objectives.

The DFO will play a key leadership role, ensuring coordination across the Accelerator and serving as a resource for decision-making, planning, and resource management.

We are seeking a seasoned leader with a proven track record of successfully managing complex operations within a large organization who excels at fostering a culture of trust and alignment, ensuring that the team’s collective success is always at the forefront.

Responsibilities will include*:

**General Administration**

+ Responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the department’s business processes and practices, as well as their consistency with University and School policies and guidelines.
+ Manage the departmental operations team, which is responsible for Accelerator administrative activities, events, and communications.
+ Work with the Executive Director and the Faculty Director to establish, drive, and track Accelerator priorities.

**Finance and Grant Management**

+ Direct all fiscal operations for the Accelerator, including:
+ Work with the Executive Director and Faculty Director to develop budget plans and resource allocation in keeping with the Accelerator’s needs and goals
+ Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic decision-making.
+ Oversee day-to-day financial management of individual accounts and transactions, ensuring that all relevant regulations and policies are adhered to, appropriate cost controls are in place, and necessary records are maintained.
+ Oversee the administration of the Accelerator’s grant-making processes, working closely with the Accelerator team and Office of Sponsored Researchto ensure that university policies are adhered to.
+ Ensure accurate and timely financial and programmatic reporting to donors and other stakeholders.

**Personnel Administration**

+ Responsible for Accelerator administrative personnel activities, including:
+ Work closely with the school Human Resources team and the central offices in administering various personnel functions.
+ Oversee personnel actions for Accelerator staff, students, post-docs, and others.
+ Provide administrative support for fellows and staff recruitment, appointment, and promotion procedures.

**Facilities**

+ Responsible for space planning and allocation for all faculty, staff, fellows, visitors, and students.
+ Ensure appropriate maintenance of all department facilities and equipment.

_* -_ _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._

**Education & Experience:**

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

+ Demonstrated leadership and track record of fostering a positive and productive work environment.
+ Ability to think critically and strategically to drive the organization towards its goals.
+ Comfortable with changing priorities and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
+ Excellent planning and organizational skills.
+ Clear and effective communicator with strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
+ Strong expertise in business systems, applications, and tools.
+ Knowledge of Stanford systems is a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS:

+ Occasional evening and weekend hours.

_* - 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 the job._

The expected pay range for this position is **$160,294 to $199,273** 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, base pay represents only one aspect of the 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.

Specifics 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.

_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: 4132**
+ **Employee Status: Regular**
+ **Grade: K**
+ **Requisition ID: 107349**
+ **Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible**

Required Skill Profession

Other General