Associate Director for Career Development

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC • Miami Gardens, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director for Career Development serves as the primary student-facing career advisor within the Office for Career Development. The position is responsible for providing individualized career counseling, professional development programming, and career planning services to law students while supporting the College's mission of preparing graduates for successful and meaningful legal careers. The Associate Director leads mandatory first-year counseling, advises students on employment strategies, and collaborates with the Assistant Dean and Executive Director to enhance employment outcomes and student career readiness. In addition to student counseling, the Associate Director develops and maintains strategic relationships with government agencies, public interest organizations, legal aid providers, and other public service employers to expand internship, externship, and post-graduate employment opportunities. Through employer outreach, programming, and collaboration with alumni and public sector partners, the Associate Director promotes careers in public service while supporting the College's mission of preparing graduates for meaningful and impactful legal careers.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, preferred
• Active bar membership in good standing.
• Minimum five years of legal practice, legal recruiting, employer relations, higher education, or related experience.
• Knowledge of legal recruiting and hiring practices.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, counseling, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Skill in event planning and promotion.
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry moderately light materials weighing up to approximately 10-15 pounds.
• The position might require irregular work hours and transportation to meetings and events outside of STU Law campus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary career counselor for law students, providing individualized advising throughout their law school experience.
• Lead mandatory first-year career counseling and provide general counseling for second- and third-year students.
• Assist students with career exploration, employment strategies, résumé and cover letter development, interviewing skills, networking, and professionalism.
• Develop and deliver career education workshops, panels, classroom presentations, and professional development programs.
• Review application materials and conduct mock interviews.
• Maintain advising records and student engagement through Symplicity and other career management systems.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director regarding employer recruiting initiatives and student preparation.
• Refer students pursuing highly competitive opportunities or requiring strategic intervention to the Assistant Dean or Executive Director, as appropriate.
• Build relationships with faculty, alumni, and employers to enhance student opportunities.
• Participate in career fairs, networking events, and employer outreach activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Coordinate educational programs, employer panels, Lunch & Learns, and professional development events.
• Maintain record of students’ pro bono hours.
• Organize the Public Service/pro bono awards ceremony.
• Assist the Public Interest Law Society and their activities.
• Coordinate and promote the Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
• Support marketing and social media initiatives that promote employer partnerships and student success and the University brand.
• Attend and participate in local, national, or online trainings in reference to professional development.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government agencies, public interest organizations, legal aid providers, prosecutors' offices, public defenders' offices, judiciary, and other public service employers.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with government and public interest employers to expand recruiting opportunities and support students pursuing public service careers.
• Promote public interest and government employment opportunities through targeted outreach, programming, and employer engagement.
• Collaborate with public sector employers to increase internships, externships, and post-graduate employment opportunities.
• Coordinate programming and networking opportunities that connect students with public service employers and alumni.
• Serve as a resource for students pursuing careers in government and public interest law.
• Assist in tracking employment outcomes and employer engagement.
• Assist with ABA and NALP reporting.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Assistant Dean.
• Perform additional duties assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level