Assistant Director, Administration and Operations

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is structured to drive global impact through academic departments, interdisciplinary institutes, and the Sustainability Accelerator, which develops policy and technology solutions with worldwide partners. The school is committed to fostering a diverse community to address environmental challenges, particularly those affecting marginalized populations.

The Precourt Institute for Energy, part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, focuses on energy research and education across science, technology, policy, and business. It collaborates across Stanford’s schools and with global partners to advance sustainable, affordable, and secure energy solutions for all.

About the role

The Precourt Institute for Energy is seeking an Assistant Director for Administration and Operations to lead its centralized administrative team. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, this role involves strategic oversight of administrative services, staff management, and operational workflows. The Assistant Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership to allocate resources, streamline processes, and support high-impact initiatives, including over 200 annual convenings. This position requires discretion in resource allocation, process automation, and team leadership to meet the demands of a fast-paced, high-touch environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage administrative functions across the institute’s centers, initiatives, and programs.
• Direct and mentor a team to support institute activities, ensuring alignment with leadership expectations.
• Partner with leadership to develop and implement short- and long-term staffing models to meet operational goals.
• Design and automate administrative processes to improve workflows and resource allocation.
• Create sophisticated tracking models (e.g., dashboards, reports) to monitor staff resources, pipeline activities, and progress.
• Serve as the institute’s primary resource for administrative guidelines and best practices.
• Collaborate with the marketing and engagements director to plan and execute logistics for high-profile events.
• Develop and refine systems (e.g., Smartsheet, AirTable, Excel) to streamline service delivery and team efficiency.
• Foster a collaborative team culture and strengthen trust between leadership and staff.
• Supervise day-to-day operational activities, including budget monitoring and expenditure approvals.
• Independently implement, evaluate, and recommend policies or program improvements.
• Analyze data, trends, and policies to inform decisions and resource distribution.
• Represent the institute as a subject matter expert to internal and external stakeholders.
• Organize outreach activities, communications, and training initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task, and exercise sound judgment.
• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Experience taking initiative and ownership of projects, with a proactive and collaborative mindset.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including directing the work of others.
• Relevant subject matter knowledge in administrative or operational management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with project management techniques and tools.
• Familiarity with strategic planning and connecting objectives to measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with faculty and fellows in a university setting.
• Proficiency in creating automated processes using tools like Smartsheet, AirTable, or Excel.
• Flexible, open-minded, and iterative approach to problem-solving.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $113,999 to $127,926 per annum.

Schedule

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with a hybrid work option (partially onsite 3 or more days a week), subject to operational need.