The University of Washington School of Law has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Professional Development.

The Director of Professional Development is an important leader within the Office of Student and Career Services (SCS) at the UW School of Law (UW Law). UW Law’s mission is to serve and educate students to be leaders who are deeply committed to creating a fair, just and vibrant society, locally and globally. SCS staff work holistically with students to provide customized advice, strategy, and support during law school and as they enter the work force. SCS has several focus areas, including career coaching, professional development, public service (the Gates Public Service Law Program), academic advising, wellness, and student organization and community engagement. 

The Director is responsible for supervising a staff of two career coaches and academic advisors; developing effective working relationships with students, staff, alumni, and faculty; developing and maintaining employer and community relations; identifying employment opportunities; leading and designing professional and career development programs and resources; collection and analysis of graduate and student employment outcomes data; and staying abreast of the legal market and emerging careers. This position reports to the Assistant Dean for Student and Career Services.

The Director works with the Assistant Dean and other SCS Staff to ensure that students have a positive experience at UW Law and receive the support they need while in school and as recent graduates. This individual in this professional position must possess a depth of knowledge, skills, and expertise in or related to legal education and the legal market.

The Director must be able to advise students in making informed career decisions and to prepare students for networking and interviewing with potential employers. The Director must be highly engaged with students and regularly evaluate programs and policies based on data and student needs. The Director will develop and manage a professional development initiative and design and execute programs to enrich student life. The Director, together with the Assistant Dean, must be willing to partner with other offices within the law school and in other units on student- and alumni-related projects and programs. The Director must have a professional demeanor and have knowledge of the concerns, requirements, and hiring procedures of legal employers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Advising and Counseling
• Coach and advise current law students about potential career paths, professional development, and academic options, how to create effective job application materials, and how to develop strong networking and interviewing skills.
• Manage tasks related to the oversight of career services, counseling, and engagement with the employer community.
• Act as a resource to academic advising offices on non-academic issues as required.
• Help students build communities so that they can work together, support each other, and develop and maintain professional networks.

Outreach
• Market the law school, students, and graduates to local, regional, national, and international employers to develop additional employment opportunities.
• Partner and maintain regular communication with the law school’s graduate and program staff, externship director and other advising offices.
• Engage with state and local bar associations to identify employment opportunities.
• Ensure UW Law participation in collaborative recruiting programs such as the Northwest Law School Consortium, Diversity Programs, and the Northwest Minority Job Fair.

Program Management
• Establish long-range leadership-focused career services strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise staff, including hiring, performance management, training, discipline, merit and promotion recommendations.
• Oversee daily operations including budget management and travel approval.
• Manage programs, events, and initiatives that support the goals of the office.
• Carry out short-term and long-term strategic planning and make recommendations to the Assistant Dean regarding program changes with measurable outcomes.
• Oversee processes to collect and analyze data and metrics to inform strategic planning and comply with post graduate data reporting obligations in compliance with guidelines from organizations such as the American Bar Association, National Association for Law Placement, and U.S. News & World Report.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Juris Doctor degree.
• At least six years of experience in any of the following: law firm, public agency, non-profit organization, including a court system, educational institution or equivalent.
• Excellent oral, written, presentation and communications skills.
• Sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities.
• Strong computer skills including working with MS Office and database management programs.
• Demonstrated social networking experience and knowledge of online marketing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Positive attitude, detail and customer-oriented.
• Ability to work independently and professionally to meet frequent deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS:
• Familiarity with the current legal job market, particularly relating to law firm, corporate legal department, and JD-Advantage roles.
• Previous experience in law, career counseling, marketing, workshop planning, or higher education administration.
• Experience with or knowledge of non-JD graduate legal education and international student concerns and challenges.
• Previous supervisory experience.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.