Job: Career Services Director, SMU Dedman School of Law

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Job Summary:

The Director of the Office of Career Services is a highly-visible position within the Dedman School of Law’s Office of Career Services. The Director is responsible for developing job opportunities for students and recent graduates, marketing SMU Law students and graduates to legal employers, providing career counseling to students and recent graduates, designing and implementing educational opportunities related to career options and the legal field for law students and recent graduates, tracking and reporting employment statistics, representing the Office of Career Services to external groups including industry organizations, and assisting with the daily management of office functions, among other duties. 

Essential Functions:

• Develop job opportunities for law students and recent graduates to generate strong employment outcomes; utilize social media platforms as well as traditional outreach; market students and graduates to a wide variety of legal employers (law firms, the judiciary, government agencies, public interest organizations & corporations) including strengthening existing relationships & creating new contacts
• Provide career counseling to law students and recent graduates, including resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, career and practice area evaluation, and job search techniques
• Design & implement innovative educational programming for law students; educate students about the legal profession, career opportunities, standards of professionalism and job search techniques by creating, planning & implementing seminars and programs utilizing law school alumni and other outside speakers; evaluate the efficacy of programs and services through student input and tracking outcomes
• Survey the employment status of graduates and students; working closely with recent graduates, accurately report the employment status of graduates in annual reports to the American Bar Association and NALP; track, compile, and analyze employment statistics and respond to trends or changing market conditions; 
• Represent the law school to internal and external audiences; participate in professional association groups relating to legal career planning, including local bar associations as well as the National Association for Law Placement; attend annual NALP conference and participate in the association’s committee work, as directed
• Assisting in refining and implementing office policies as they relate to the recruiting process and assist with daily supervision of administrative staff and all office functions

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Juris Doctor degree and five (5) years of legal experience is required for this role.  The candidate must be a licensed member of the State Bar of Texas and in good standing.

Post-graduate federal clerkship is preferred.  Previous experience participating in the hiring process or on the recruiting committee for a legal employer is desired.  Previous experience supervising or mentoring others in a legal environment is also a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The ideal candidate will have strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with a strong customer service orientation.  Problem solving, time management and project management skills are all key for this role.  Organizational and planning skills are a must as is attention to detail.

The ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with employers is essential.  The candidate should be a self starter with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and have strong contacts in the DFW legal community and Texas legal markets.  Knowledge of legal hiring processes and familiarity with legal, business, and marketplace influences impacting law practice hiring is required.

Candidate should be proficient in the Microsoft Office suite of products and in social media.

Physical/Environmental Demands:

• Stand
• Carry/lift 25 lbs
• Sit for long periods of time.

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled.

Priority consideration given to those who apply by May 10, 2021.

Apply at https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en&portal=101430233

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.