ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Law Career Planning and Development
- Employer
- Willamette University
- Location
- Oregon, United States
- Salary
- Salary Not specified
- Date posted
- Dec 20, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
- Position Type
- Administrative, Student Affairs, Career Services
- Employment Level
- Mid-Level
- Employment Type
- Full Time
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Law Career Planning and Development
Posting Number: R0006163
Location: Salem Campus
ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:
Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon's top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest's oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master's degrees in data science and computer science.
Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette, please contact our HR Department, hr@willamette.edu or call us at 503-370-6210.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, LAW CAREER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Willamette University College of Law is the oldest law school in the Pacific Northwest and a continued leader in Oregon and the Northwest in employment outcomes for its graduates. The Office of Career Planning and Development (OCPD) is dedicated to advancing our students' career goals through a diverse array of professional programs designed to facilitate the transition from law student to attorney. We are proud to provide robust support for mentoring relationships with attorneys and judges, externship opportunities for students throughout their time in law school, connections to attorneys in different practice areas, networking opportunities, career development seminars, and informational panels. Our goal is to prepare students for a successful career search and career.
The Associate Director for Career Planning & Development works in partnership with and supports the Assistant Dean of Career Planning & Development in providing career counseling, job and career training, and networking opportunities for students and alumni. The Assistant and Associate Directors for Career Planning & Development work collaboratively with the Assistant Dean to support law students and alumni in achieving their career goals. The Associate Director holds a senior role, assuming broader responsibilities in leadership, program management, and strategic initiatives, while also covering all duties of the Assistant Director as necessary. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, strategic leadership in developing programs and workshops, managing relationships with the legal community, including with externship site supervisors, collecting employment data, and assisting with ensuring the success of the Externship Program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Service to law students and alumni includes, among others, the following activities:
- Providing guidance and counseling to students and
alumni
- Developing and conducting a variety of workshops and
programs
- Providing networking opportunities
- Facilitating interview and job fair programs
- Collecting employment data
- Participating in local and state bar and/or other professional
activities
- Assisting with the development and success of externship
opportunities and providing support to the Assistant Dean in the
externship class, as appropriate.
Direct Services to Students and Alumni
- Provide one-on-one or group career counseling
sessions.
- Develop and present career-related workshops and
events.
- Identify and share job opportunities.
- Coordinate the pro bono honors program, public interest law
initiatives, on-campus interviewing (OCI), mock interviews, and the
attorney-mentor program.
- Support students exploring alternative licensure routes, such
as the SPPE.
- Externship Program Support: Assist with the externship program
by developing externship opportunities, communicating with and
supporting hosts and supervisors, and, where appropriate, visiting
host sites to ensure alignment with educational
objectives.
- Provide career counseling and coordinate larger-scale programs
with greater autonomy.
- Lead the development of a judicial clerkship support program in
collaboration with faculty.
- Oversee and improve the ABA 303 Professional Identity
Development Program.
- Ensure high-quality career programs and streamline delivery for
all law students and alumni.
- Externship Program Leadership: Play a senior role in developing
and managing the externship program. This includes work with the
Assistant Dean in order to design the curriculum, evaluate program
success, build relationships with hosts, and lead site visits to
maintain quality and educational alignment.
Reporting & Statistic Surveys
- Collect and maintain employment and externship data for the
ABA, U.S. News, and other reporting entities.
- Oversee the data collection process, ensuring accuracy for all
data reporting and analysis.
- Use data insights to guide program improvements and career
& professional development strategies.
Outreach to Students, Employers, Alumni/Marketing/Public Relations
- Develop and maintain relationships with employers and
judges.
- Participate in state bar activities and represent Willamette
Law at events.
- Assist with externship program promotion and communicate
placement opportunities to students.
- Build strategic partnerships with a broader network of
employers, focusing on long-term engagement and
mentorship.
- Coordinate high-profile networking events.
- Act as a senior representative at conferences, strengthening
institutional relationships.
- Actively promote the externship program, establishing
high-profile externship partnerships and liaising with key
stakeholders to expand opportunities.
Administrative and Leadership Responsibilities
- Coordinate OCI and mock interview programs.
- Collaborate with University career services as appropriate in
order to take advantage of synergies in training, technology, and
career opportunities.
- Manage the Office of Career Planning & Development (OCPD)
budget alongside the Assistant Dean.
- Step in for the Assistant Dean when required, assuming full
oversight of operations.
- Lead strategic initiatives and improvements to meet evolving
student and market needs.
Minmum Qualifications
- Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school. Candidates with
substantial professional experience in legal career services or
professional development may instead hold a Masters of Business
Administration, Masters of Library Science, Masters of Legal
Studies or other relevant master's degree or equivalent
experience.
- Three or more years of professional experience, ideally in a
legal or law career-related job, with a preference for applicants
with legal or other relevant job experience.
- Strong communication, problem-solving, design-thinking, and
organizational skills.
- Commitment to legal education and cultural diversity: Ability
to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender,
gender orientation, ethnicity, or religion.
- Comfortable with social media tools; proficiency in online
meeting platforms such as Zoom, Teams, or otherwise; familiarity
with Google Workspace Suite and Microsoft Office systems, with the
ability to learn new software systems quickly.
- Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with various
stakeholders to establish and maintain harmonious and productive
professional relationships.
Preferred Qualifications
- Understanding of the evolving legal employment landscape,
especially in Oregon.
- Demonstrated success in enhancing and expanding professional
opportunities and skills for students and alumni.
Typical Work Schedule
Monday- Friday, some evening and weekend work; occasional travel may also be required in connection with employer visits.
You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled Resume:
- Cover letter addressing the required/desired qualifications and
presenting any other applicant characteristics which deserve
emphasis
- Current Resume
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received until the position is filled. Applications should be received by 1/6/2025 for full consideration.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY VALUES DIVERSITY:
Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and to rich and rewarding communities, WU is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek candidates, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, whose work furthers diversity and who bring to campus varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:
Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.
Apply online at https://willamette.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/willametteuniversityjobs/job/Salem-Campus/ASSOCIATE-DIRECTOR---Law-Career-Planning-and-Developement_R0006163
Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and to rich and rewarding communities, WU is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek candidates, particularly those from historically under-represented groups, whose work furthers diversity and who bring to campus varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.
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