Associate Director for Leadership and Character in the Law School

Wake Forest University•Winston Salem, NC

10d

About The Position

The Associate Director for Leadership and Character in the Law School leads student-facing and staff-facing work for the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University School of Law. The role works closely with the Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools, the Director of the Leadership and Character Law Network, and School of Law leaders. Its primary focus is providing programming that supports JD students’ development as leaders of character through individual mentorship, peer cohorts, discussion groups, workshops, and other informal support. The Associate Director assesses program effectiveness to support continuous improvement and the Program’s research goals. The position combines substantial relationship-building with students and staff and significant administrative responsibilities. It is a three-year, grant-funded position supported by a multi-year Kern Family Foundation grant, with potential consideration for funding beyond the initial term. The position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited school.
At least 2 years of experience in legal education or legal practice.
Ability to build strong rapport with students, staff, and faculty at the School of Law.
Familiarity with professional trajectories available to lawyers.
Familiarity with civic and pro bono opportunities available to lawyers, such as board service and elected office.
Ability to coach students in identifying values and goals and making educational and professional decisions aligned with them.
Experience with educational program planning, implementation, or assessment, in a paid or volunteer capacity.
Experience with and sensitivity to diverse populations, and ability to build inclusive and equitable communities where differences are appreciated and engaged.
Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.
Commitment to the mission of the Program for Leadership and Character.
Willingness to learn more about leadership and character development.
Openness to feedback and commitment to personal and professional growth.
Ability to represent the Program, Law School, and University professionally.
Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a professional educator or student affairs professional.
Familiarity with leadership theories.
Familiarity with adult learning theories.

Responsibilities

Provide direct mentoring, counsel, and support to law students regarding professional identity, purpose exploration, leadership development, and character formation.
Provide informal career planning and coaching that incorporates reflection on leadership, character, and the meaning and value of legal work.
Advise and facilitate the Leadership and Character in the Law Scholars cohort.
Advise and co-lead the Leadership and Character Medical-Law Cohort.
Mentor and coach selected recent law graduates preparing for the bar exam, as needed.
Work with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Executive Director to select the Wake Forest Lawyer Award winner.
Develop and deliver student-facing workshops and information sessions during orientation and throughout students’ law school experience.
Assess the effectiveness of programming in promoting students’ leadership and character development.
Collaborate with the Office of Student Affairs to integrate character-based programming into Student Bar Association and student organization activities, including potentially administering a mini-grant program.
Coordinate with the Director of Program Operations for The Professional Schools and affiliated Wake Forest staff to facilitate interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Facilitate meetings and handle administrative needs of the Integrated Professional Identity Program Working Group.
Oversee administrative responsibilities related to Law 1.5, Law 2.0, and Law 3.0 orientation programs.
Serve as a point of contact for mini-grants and other financial sponsorship requests from faculty, staff, and law students.
Conduct staff-focused character development programming, including a summer reading group, fall social, and spring workshop.
Build relationships with staff and faculty to support the Program’s work in the law school.
Provide direct support to the Executive Director and Leadership and Character Law Network Director as needed, and represent the Program in the law school.
Support planning, hosting, and assessment of a major national convening of law schools interested in character-based leadership development.
Help build the School of Law’s institutional capacity to serve as a hub for a national network of law schools committed to character-based leadership development.
Assist the Leadership and Character Law Network Director in creating and disseminating resources to other law schools as needed.
Present, attend, and participate in conferences, workshops, and other events promoting the Program.
Perform additional or other work as assigned.