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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 strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our 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 drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school 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 on the school, click here.

The SDSS Sustainability Accelerator (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.

This position will support and administer multiple operational elements for the Global Sustainability Challenge program. This will include assisting program students by hosting informational sessions and managing student inquiries, managing content of the program’s online platform, and logistical support for program events. In addition, the position will provide Accelerator-wide support for large scale events and special projects which have an impact on multiple elements of Accelerator operations.

The Accelerator seeks a candidate with experience in knowledge and partnership and student management, with a proven ability to maintain and drive the adoption of crucial business practices, systems, and tools, and foster proactive communication across teams. We are looking for someone highly motivated with strong interpersonal and organizational skills, who is comfortable with a dynamic, start-up-like environment, and who knows how to get things done.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

  • Program management support for complex, multi-stakeholder meetings, deadlines, and deliverables
  • Be the primary point of contact for the growing global body of several thousand student participants of the Global Sustainability Challenge, delegating to partners as needed
  • Communicate and collaborate effectively and efficiently with various partners, including universities, nonprofits, and corporations, to achieve the goals of the program.
  • Organization and operational support for in-person and virtual events, including travel support.
  • Collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.
  • Analyze and interpret policies; develop, revise and implement procedures for program or function.
  • Manage expenses, payments, and reimbursements in accordance with Stanford policies and within the program budget.
  • May participate in development of budgets, monitor, and approve expenditures. May perform limited forecasting and provide recommendations that determine the budget.
  • Configure and monitor the technology platform appropriately throughout the annual challenge cycle
  • Proactively anticipate, identify, and resolve issues that hinder the smooth and timely operations of the program.
  • - 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.


To Be Successful In This Position, You Will Need

  • Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task.
  • Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
  • Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
  • Relevant subject matter knowledge.
  • Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.


In Addition, Our Preferred Qualifications Include

  • Comfortable with ambiguity, agile, and able to adapt quickly while operating in a dynamic environment.
  • Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, and critical analysis skills
  • Demonstrated experience in student or community support roles
  • Strong familiarity with Stanford’s policies, systems, and organizational best practices for efficient execution on administrative tasks
  • Proficient in using web-based tools like Google Drive products, Microsoft Office and Outlook products, Zoom, Asana, Canva, and comfortable in learning more as needed.
  • - 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 $100,023 to $124,516 per annum.

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.