Programs Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Academic Program Professional 2
Working Title: Research Programs Director
VPUE Unit: Vice Provost Office (VPO)
Job Code: 4112
Grade: J
Exemption Status: Full-time, exempt, continuing
Location: Stanford Main Campus, Hybrid (3 days onsite
Heralded as a hub of undergraduate innovation, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) creates and sustains meaningful interactions between students and faculty both within and outside the classroom. As a collaborative team member of VPUE, you have a unique opportunity to advance and support programs that touch and enhance the lives of every undergraduate student at Stanford.
The Research and Independent Projects Team, within the Vice Provost Office (VPO), facilitates student participation in original scholarship and fosters intellectual relationships between students and faculty mentors. This collaborative team serves as a bridge between Stanford University's educational and research missions by offering students funding, support, and programming to enable their project ideas across all disciplines.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) is seeking a Research Programs Director (RPD) to become part of the Research and Independent Projects Team, reporting to the Senior Director of Undergraduate Research. The RPD will provide strategic direction and manage a nuanced review and selection process for VPUE's Student Grant programs, which fund undergraduate students engaged in independent research, arts, and senior synthesis projects across all disciplines. The RPD will implement and interpret university and department policies and procedures, and will identify and resolve complex issues using expert technical and professional knowledge of academic research and University policy, as well as independent judgment. The RPD will build and maintain collaborative relationships with other university administrative and service offices, academic departments, programs, staff, and faculty.
In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic direction for the Student Grants Program, the flagship funding resource for undergraduate researchers at Stanford. Manage policy design, program planning, and forecasting and allocation of a $1.5 million annual budget. Ensure continued value and relevance of the program to the University's research mission.
• Design new policies and practices to broaden impact and reach of undergraduate research funding and be more inclusive of underserved student populations. Identify and eliminate academic and administrative hurdles within the control of Undergraduate Research to improve transparency and lower barriers to participation.
• Ensure that all program components and processes attend to the complexities of research practice and administration, including compliance with federal, local, and University policy on undergraduate research.
• Collaborate regularly with multiple stakeholders (including Academic Advising, the Haas Center for Public Service, the Financial Aid Office, Stanford's Institutional Review Board, and the Office of Global Risk) to arrive at tenable solutions when complex conflicts arise.
• Maintain a highly nuanced application and selection process resulting in hundreds of competitive grants annually across all undergraduate disciplines. Design application materials and requirements, assign reviewers by relevant discipline, facilitate grant review sessions, provide written feedback to all student applicants, administer final award decisions based on selection committee's recommendations, and oversee acceptance requirements and payment process for awardees.
• Leverage a range of information systems in support of grant application and disbursement processes, and collaborate in the refinement and evolution of those systems.
• Recruit, retain, and train 20+ independent collaborators who contribute to grant review, fellowship administration, research advising, and communication processes for the team.
• Review and adjudicate requests for exceptions from students and faculty at all points of application and selection process. Consider appeals of rejected applications to ensure fairness, and escalate complex appeals as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other team members to align policies, identify and solve strategic and programmatic challenges, and implement new ideas.
• Analyze and measure accessibility and effectiveness of grant programs by conducting quantitative evaluation of student applicant and awardee data.
• Lead informational events, workshops, and lectures for prospective applicants and grant awardees on various topics, including but not limited to: proposal writing, getting started in research, navigating mentoring relationships, and fellowship opportunities.
• Execute donor matching for all awardees receiving student, faculty, and department grants.
• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks. Occasionally use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds. Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds. Ability to use voice to present information/communicate with others. On-campus mobility.

*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 role, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Advanced degree may be required for some programs.
• For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans.

• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
• Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
• Ability to oversee and direct staff.
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years' experience teaching, advising, and/or conducting research.
• Ability to guide and review undergraduate research grants.
• Understanding of federal, local, and university policies regarding research.

*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 his or her job.
About the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE)
For undergraduates, VPUE is the nexus for programs and initiatives that help students define and achieve their intellectual ambitions and develop a sense of civic purpose at Stanford. These include investigative introductory courses taught by esteemed faculty, targeted classes in writing and rhetoric, undergraduate research support, academic advising and mentoring, overseas and off-campus study programs, evidence-based and inclusive learning and teaching practices, and opportunities to pursue public service campus-wide. For faculty, VPUE serves as a principal conduit for furthering interaction with undergraduates and discovering ways in which working with students can enrich one's research agenda. VPUE collaborates with faculty, staff and students to provide the world-class experiences for which Stanford is known. All VPUE resources are dedicated to involving faculty with the undergraduate experience, connecting students with transformative opportunities and fully realizing a liberal education at Stanford.
https://undergrad.stanford.edu/about
The mission of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) is to partner with Stanford faculty, staff, and students to produce and educate knowledgeable, engaged citizens and creative, confident leaders for our future world.
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 individuals to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing opportunities. 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!

*-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.
The expected pay range for this position is $116,966 to $150,114 per annum.Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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
If you're ready to work for an organization that nurtures diversity, respect, professional development and a comfortable work-life fit, we invite you to explore this opportunity and apply online. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application. Your cover letter should briefly describe your interest in the position and how you feel your background and experience would make you a successful candidate. Please do not submit additional materials as they will not be considered.
Completed applications will be reviewed on June 10, 2026.
http://stanfordcareers.stanford.edu
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