As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.

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.

General Administrative Support
• Carry out administrative tasks as assigned.