The world’s biggest social problems are complex, multi-faceted, and pervasive. No academic center, company, or organization can solve systemic issues – such as economic inequality, inequitable access to health care and education, and racial discrimination – alone. We need leaders with different skills and experiences to come together to generate fresh insights, evidence, and action to make progress. Stanford Impact Labs (SIL) was created to help make such progress possible.
A major initiative at Stanford University, SIL invests in mission-driven teams of researchers and practitioners from government, business, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy. These teams (we call them impact labs) work together on social problems of their choice, where practical progress is possible. With our support, these impact labs rapidly develop, test, and scale new solutions to social problems that affect millions of people worldwide. Learn more about our work athttps://impact.stanford.edu/.
Stanford Impact Labs (SIL) is an equal opportunity organization strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. To that end, we particularly encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for open positions.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Investments Program Manager will own the operations for Stanford Impact Labs' investment approach. This role will support the Director of Investments in managing our growing grant portfolio of $25m invested into over 40 different teams of researchers and practitioners working on some of society’s hardest social problems.In carrying out their duties, the Program Manager will work closely with SIL’s Program Officer and Impact & Learning Manager to design and execute operational improvements to help the investment team work more efficiently and effectively.
This job could be an excellent fit for a number of different profiles, including people who are passionate about operations in mission-driven organizations or early-career candidates who want to build a career within philanthropy, evidence-informed policy, research, public policy or social change.
Core duties include:
●Investment Operations Management: You will independently implement, manage and improve the operations of SIL’s investment process. You will administer the application process from end to end (from initial request for proposals to the signing of award agreements) and manage portfolio reporting. You demonstrate independence, initiative, and judgment in tracking deadlines, organizing documents, scheduling meetings and coordinating logistics. To support how we direct our limited funding, you will recruit and engage over 75 subject matter experts annually, managing the budget and approving expenditures.
●Continuous process improvement & knowledge management for investments: You will be constantly looking for operational improvements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the investments team. This will require collecting and analyzing data, writing reports, reviewing and explaining trends; formulating and evaluating alternative solutions, proposing and implementing recommendations to achieve the investment team’s goals.You will revise and implement procedures for the Investments team, maintain our internal knowledge management systems (on google drive and salesforce), keeping it well organized and up-to-date, and foster a culture of learning & experimentation to improve investment operations.
●Represent the Investments team within SIL and beyond: You will manage our investment team’s work with other functions at Stanford Impact Labs (including Innovation & Partnerships, Finance People & Administration, and Communications) to ensure smooth information flow and on-time execution. You will chair meetings and follow up on action items. From time to time, you may also represent the Investments team within Stanford and beyond–for example, by engaging with requests from Stanford's Office of Development and both learning from and sharing our expertise with others within Stanford & operations staff of other philanthropic funders.
●Supporting due diligence: You will support the Program Officer and Director of Investments in conducting background research, attending interviews and drafting memos for our due diligence into the 50+ applications we receive each year.
CORE DUTIES:
- Independently implement, administer and evaluate day-to-day activities of the unit, function or program by identifying and executing tasks and objectives, making recommendations that impact policies and programs, and assigning resources to achieve the goals of the program.
- 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.
- Represent the program or function as the key contact and subject matter expert within the department, unit or school. Commit resources and provide information and/or training. May also represent the program or function to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
- Organize and/or participate in outreach activities that may include developing communications and training, planning/promoting events and/or conferences.
- May participate in development of budgets, monitor, and approve expenditures. May perform limited forecasting and provide recommendations that determine the budget.
- May direct staff to perform various tasks and assignments. May also supervise staff.
WHO YOU ARE
You have:
●You have an undergraduate degree and at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
●You are meticulous, detailed-oriented, and organized. You have project management experience and a demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deadlines in dynamic environments.
●You have a passion for Stanford Impact Labs’ mission, vision and values.
●You solve problems. You have demonstrated creativity, critical analysis, initiative, judgment, and decision-making skills. You are able to overcome obstacles and accomplish goals. You are focused on results, and willing to try new approaches to achieve those results.
●You are eager to learn and improve. You have demonstrated experience proactively finding opportunities to improve the efficiency of processes in pursuit of an overarching goal.
●You are self-motivated and take initiative. You have demonstrated your willingness toroll up your sleeves and complete the small tasks, as well as the large ones.
●You are a clear communicator and structured thinker. You have demonstrated superb communication skills, including synthesizing, interpreting, and presenting complex information to a variety of audiences, both in writing and verbally.
●You build effective relationships. You have demonstrated the ability to influence colleagues at all levels and collaborate effectively across functions. You share information and resources generously, and work for mutual success with internal and external partners.
No candidate will meet every requirement. We encourage applications from people who are a good fit - through work experience, volunteering, and other personal experiences - and who will grow and thrive in this position.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
HOW TO APPLY
We will review applications on a rolling basis and encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. We plan to begin reviewing applications July 5th and stop reviewing applications July 15, 2025. Please submit the following via the Stanford Career Portal:
●A 1-2 page resume highlighting examples of relevant skills and experiences
●In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the following questions (no more than two paragraphs for each):
1.Please describe a time when you encountered an obstacle to your work. What was the obstacle? How did you address it? What did you learn?
2.Please describe a time when you addressed a miscommunication with a colleague. What were the circumstances? What was your role? How did you help resolve it?
The hiring process will involve a work trial intended to give you a sense of what working at SIL is like. In addition, there will be at least 2 additional interviews after the work trials. We will check references for final candidates only.
Learn more: We encourage all interested candidates to join us for an open webinar on Monday, July 1st at 12:00pm PT, where we’ll provide more information and take questions. Please register here. After July 1st you may view the recording at the same link. To ensure equitable access to information about this job, we’re unable to hold individual informational interviews.
The expected pay range for this position is $69,100 to $120,000 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.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US to be considered for this position.
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 benefits 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
This is a 100% FTE, 1 year fixed term exempt position with the possibility of renewal. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and is a hybrid position, with 2-3 days of in-person work and 2-3 days of remote work per week.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications 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 accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.
