Associate Director, Career Services

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The University of Miami School of Law has a great opportunity for an Associate Director, Career Services to work at the Coral Gables Campus.

Core Job Summary:

The Associate Director, Career Services assists in the management of operations for the career services functions in assigned department(s). Further, the Associate Director, Career Services assists in coordinating job search and placement opportunities for students. Moreover, the incumbent provides mentorship, training, and development to department staff to ensure work is performed accurately and efficiently.

Core Job Functions:

1. Assists department in achieving targeted minimum placement rates.
2. Provides academic guidance and assists students in their job-seeking efforts.
3. Cultivates and maintains relationships with prospective employers.
4. Verifies continuous employment for graduates in accordance with applicable guidelines.
5. Maintains a database of employment possibilities and resource library.
6. Supports the preparation and maintenance of department budgets.
7. Ensures that student support activities and resources are available for students.
8. Makes recommendations and implements institutional policies, procedures, and guidelines affecting academic placement and transfers.
9. Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures.
10. Ensures employees are trained on controls within the function and on University policy and procedures.

The successful candidate will report jointly to the Assistant Dean, Office of Career and Professional Development, and the Associate Dean, Online Education.

Department Specific Functions:

Responsibilities:

1. Assist online Master of Legal Studies (MLS – 50%) and Juris Doctor (JD – 50%) students in identifying their career goals and objectives; assess articulated career interests and consider potential matches.
2. Hold one-on-one in person and virtual advising sessions with students, to discuss potential career paths, job search strategies and resources, salary negotiations, and a variety of other job search-related matters.
3. Counsel students regarding resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, and networking techniques. Review resumes, cover letters and other application materials.
4. Present workshops on topics related to job search strategies, and industry and current market trends.
5. Conduct mock interviews. Evaluate students’ performance and provide constructive feedback.
6. Manage the MLS Program’s Virtual Career Advancement Center in Blackboard, including monitoring the job market and legal hiring portals to curate and post job listings appropriate for the student body, broadcasting career-related articles of interest, etc.
7. Create and update virtual training modules to assist MLS and JD students with all aspects of their job search, including resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, cultivating a professional online identity, networking techniques, etc.
8. Under the direction of the Associate Dean, Online Education, conduct employer outreach in sectors that align with the MLS academic program.
9. Collect and assist in the accurate reporting of J.D. graduate employment data as required by the American Bar Association and National Association for Law Placement.
10. Attend alumni, bar association, and other organizations’ functions to create networks with attorneys and other professionals affiliated with the legal and affiliated industries.

Education/Experience:

Required:

1. Juris Doctor degree and a minimum of two years post-graduate work experience as a licensed attorney are required; significant law firm practice experience is strongly preferred.
2. Must possess considerable understanding of U.S. legal system.
3. Knowledge and understanding of career practices and opportunities within local, national, and global legal communities.
4. Experience with and knowledge of best practices for legal recruitment and placement.
5. Career planning, guidance, and mentorship skills experience.
6. Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills. Must be comfortable speaking on the telephone or via video to adult students and other stakeholders.
7. Ability to conduct and facilitate presentations in person and virtually.
8. Candidate must demonstrate integrity, dependability, sound judgment, equanimity, teambuilding, and resourcefulness to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with multiple diverse constituency groups.
9. Ability to work periodic nights/weekends, as needed, to advise students who are full-time working professionals.

Preferred:

1. Experience advising online and/or non-traditional adult working students.
2. Familiarity with careers that align with the MLS curriculum, namely compliance and risk management functions across various industry sectors.
3. Familiarity with Blackboard.
4. Familiarity with Handshake and similar job posting portals.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

1. Knowledge of business and management principles.
2. Ability to direct, manage, implement, and evaluate department operations.
3. Ability to establish department goals, and objectives that support the strategic plan.
4. Ability to effectively plan, delegate and/or supervise the work of others.
5. Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and train others.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time

Employee Type: Staff

Pay Grade: A9