Senior Associate Director

Senior Associate Director – The Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions (SCCEI)

The Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions (SCCEI) is a joint effort of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). FSI is Stanford University’s primary interdisciplinary research and teaching institute on international policy and international affairs. SIEPR is Stanford University’s home for understanding the economic challenges, opportunities, and policies affecting people in the United States and around the world.

SCCEI is Stanford’s center for empirical, multidisciplinary research on China’s economy. It focuses on empirical work to bridge the divide between academic research and the real‑life policies guiding U.S.–China relations, create transformative student experiences, and advance public understanding of China’s economy and its impact on the world.

The SCCEI seeks a Senior Associate Director with proven experience and leadership skills to serve as the center’s chief administrative officer. The Senior Associate Director reports directly to the faculty Co‑Directors, provides executive leadership, and has responsibility for all administrative and programmatic functions. The role supervises center staff who manage or administer human resources, finance, grants and contracts, events, communications, external affairs strategic partnerships, research programs, student services, facilities, and IT.

• Manage staff in the day‑to‑day operations for functional area(s) of responsibility. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports, and accountability for employee performance.
• Guide faculty supervisors in the interpretation and implementation of human resources policies, procedures, and programs in collaboration with human resources managers.
• Evaluate business processes and operational and/or financial effectiveness; analyze and resolve complex issues and provide alternative solutions as necessary. Lead process improvement for the unit.
• Analyze unit needs and make recommendations to leadership for changes in staffing, facilities, health and safety compliance, finance, technology, and/or administrative functions.
• Interpret, implement and ensure compliance with university academic and administrative policies and procedures within an operating unit; recommend new internal policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Manage the finances across all sources for the annual budget, including developing, monitoring, analyzing, forecasting and reporting.
• Manage and coordinate grants and contracts for the department; ensure compliance with institutional and external requirements.
• Represent the unit’s business and academic operations within the organization/school.
• Manage student and faculty program administration for the unit.

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

• Demonstrated supervisory skills including conflict resolution.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of accounting, budget planning and financial forecasting.
• Working knowledge of grants and contract administration.
• Solid analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.
• Ability to multi‑task and manage deadlines.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Ability to keep abreast of general industry knowledge and trends.
• Strong background in operational and program management and facilitating research in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Experience leading a professional team to manage administration and related programmatic activities for faculty and students.
• Interest in international affairs and policy, specifically the study of China’s economy.