*NOTE: This position has been deemed critical/has specific funding, has been approved by the Law School for posting, and is exempt from the hiring freeze.
About the AI Initiative
The Stanford Law AI Initiative advances interdisciplinary research, teaching, and engagement with industry leaders, policymakers, and the legal profession. The AI Initiative brings together faculty, students, centers, labs, and external collaborators to inform how AI is developed, governed, and used responsibly in law and public life. Through scholarship, programming, convenings, and collaboration, the AI Initiative helps shape rigorous, practical, and forward-looking dialogue at the intersection of AI, law, and policy.
Position Summary
We are building the AI Initiative into a leading hub for AI, law and the legal profession at Stanford Law School, and we are hiring an AI-fluent operator to help run the programs, systems, and partnerships that will support its growth. The Associate Director, AI Initiative will support the Executive Director and faculty co-directors by translating high-level direction, faculty priorities, and external relationships into well-run programs and day-to-day execution.
This is a hands-on, execution-focused role for someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and manage the details that make ambitious work possible. You will oversee a broad portfolio of programs, including speaker series, roundtables, conferences, podcasts, town halls, student gatherings, and convenings. You will coordinate speakers and partners, shape agendas, prepare briefing materials, manage logistics and budgets, maintain community infrastructure, support marketing and audience engagement through newsletters and related communications, and help ensure multiple program lines run smoothly.
Success requires strong operational judgment, fluency in AI law and policy, and practical command of current genAI tools. This role is central to helping the AI Initiative scale with quality, consistency, and impact.
Core Duties:
●
● Evaluate programs or functions, policies and procedures. Identify issues, and develop alternative solutions which may include changes to programs, policies and procedures. Assess program effectiveness, improve workflows and playbooks, and streamline research, drafting, and operations across concurrent program lines.
● Review and analyze trends to advise and develop recommendations to achieve or modify the goals of the program or function. Leverage fluency in AI law, policy, and ethics, along with program analytics, to identify emerging topics, assess impact, and advise on the Initiative’s strategic positioning.
● Represent the AI Initiative operationally across the Law School. Coordinate resources, provide information and/or training, represent the Initiative to internal and external stakeholders, and serve as the central operational point of contact for the Law School’s AI-related centers and programs.
● Manage and contribute to the development of outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications and compliance. Build and manage AI Initiative’s key external relationships (e.g. law firms, in-house leaders), and internal relationships within Stanford Law School and the broader Stanford community through newsletters, convenings, presentations, and targeted communications.
● May develop and/or oversee budgets. Support budget planning, tracking, and financial reporting for AI Initiative programs and activities.
● Assess training needs and may develop associated training. Build and maintain playbooks, briefing packets, and onboarding materials that support consistent execution and team growth.
● May supervise student research fellows as the AI Initiative's student research fellow program develops in the future.
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.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
● Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications
●
● Exceptional planning and project management skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
● Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it clearly to diverse audiences.
● A "roll-up-your-sleeves" mentality, with a willingness to toggle between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
● Demonstrated fluency using AI tools to accelerate research, content creation (including Powerpoints and Google slides), and productivity.
● Strong knowledge and interest in the current AI landscape, including key technologies (e.g., LLMs, generative AI), major players, and emerging policy, legal, and ethical issues.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
● Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
● Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
● Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and decision-making skills.
● Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals.
● Demonstrated solid planning and organizational skills.
● Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
● Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
● Strong relevant subject matter knowledge.
● Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.
WORK STANDARDS:
● Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
● Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
● Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
The expected pay range for this position is $120,038 to $153,486 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary 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.
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.
Stanford University 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. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as the needs of the institution evolve.
* Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Track your opportunities.
My Submissions School of Law, Stanford, California, United States
📁 Administration
Post Date: Apr 07, 2026
School of Law, Stanford, California, United States
📁 Administration
Post Date: May 08, 2026
School of Law, Stanford, California, United States
📁 Administration
Post Date: Apr 03, 2026
I love that Stanford is supportive of learning, and as an education institution, that pursuit of knowledge extends to staff members through professional development, wellness, financial planning and staff affinity groups.
Nora Cata
School of Engineering
I get to apply my real-world experiences in a setting that welcomes diversity in thinking and offers support in applying new methods. In my short time at Stanford, I've been able to streamline processes that provide better and faster information to our students.
Phillip Cheng
Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Besides its contributions to science, health, and medicine, Stanford is also the home of pioneers across disciplines. Joining Stanford has been a great way to contribute to our society by supporting emerging leaders.
Denisha Clark
School of Medicine
I like working in a place where ideas matter. Working at Stanford means being part of a vibrant, international culture in addition to getting to do meaningful work.
Laura Lind
Office of the President and Provost
Join Stanford in shaping a better tomorrow for your community, humanity and the planet we call home.