Assistant Director, Law Career Services

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 84,870; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an Assistant Director for Law Career Services to provide career advising to law students and alumni. This full-time role involves developing resources, managing employer outreach, and supporting student engagement through workshops and coaching.

The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor degree and at least three years of legal experience. Strong communication, organizational skills, and knowledge of legal employment trends are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Ability to support students and alumni in career exploration and job searches.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise law students and alumni on careers and job searches.
• Develop and deliver career development resources and workshops.
• Manage employer outreach efforts to increase job opportunities.

Skills

Knowledge of law career services

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Marketing abilities

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Assistant Director, Law Career Services

Position Type: Regular, full-time, 40 hours weekly, Exempt.

Pay Range: $75,000 - $84,870.

The Assistant Director of Law Career Services serves as an integral part of the Career Services Office (CSO) under the supervision of the Assistant Dean for Career Services. The CSO provides a full suite of personalized services to law students and alumni, helping them create, execute, and meet career goals and objectives. The Assistant Director works closely with the Assistant Dean to implement strategies for career advising, employer outreach, and programming services for law students and alumni. This is a full‑time, year‑round (12‑month) administrative position.

Responsibilities

Student Advising and Career Coaching

• Meet individually with law students and alumni to provide career advising and coaching through all stages of career exploration, job search preparation, and professional development.
• Review and provide feedback on resumes, cover letters, and other application materials, and advise students and alumni on traditional, alternative, and non‑traditional legal career paths.
• Prepare students for the job search and interview process by conducting mock interviews, providing specific and constructive feedback, identifying strong candidates for open positions, encouraging applications, and following up after interviews to debrief and strategize next steps.

Student Engagement and Communication

• Maintain regular communication with students to promote engagement with CSO programs, services, resources, and employment opportunities.
• Collaborate with the CSO team to track and monitor student engagement, identify students who may need additional support, and conduct individualized outreach.
• Assist in creating and implementing student communication plans to promote CSO programs, services, deadlines, recruiting opportunities, and professional development requirements.

Programming and Professional Development

• Develop, draft, and deliver career and professional development resources, guides, programs, and skills‑based workshops.
• Support and deliver programming related to the Professional Development Graduation Requirement and other student professional development initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison to student organizations to promote CSO services, support career‑related programming, and strengthen student engagement.

Employer Outreach and Relationship Management

• Support employer outreach efforts by researching and identifying targeted employers in designated strategic areas and cultivating expanded legal employment opportunities for students and alumni.
• Meet with targeted employers one‑on‑one, as directed by the Assistant Dean for Career Services, to increase employment opportunities and strengthen full‑time, long‑term Bar Admission‑Required and J.D. Advantage employment outcomes at graduation and 10 months after graduation.
• Proactively market the law school, students, and alumni to law firms, corporations, government agencies, the judiciary, public‑interest organizations, and other potential employers.
• Help ensure employers receive responsive, high‑quality service in all interactions with the CSO, including clear communication, effective follow‑up, and improved internal processes.

Recruiting Programs and Career Services Administration

• Collaborate with the CSO team to administer all aspects of recruiting programs, including student and employer communications, interview scheduling, database management, and related administrative responsibilities.
• Assist with broader career services administrative responsibilities, including maintaining accurate records, supporting office initiatives, and contributing to efficient internal processes.

Employment Data Collection and Reporting

• Assist with employment data collection, tracking, and reporting for internal and external purposes.
• Assist with preparing responses to surveys, questionnaires, and employment reports, including reports submitted to the ABA, U.S. News, and NALP.

Professional Development and Office Support

• Participate in professional development training offered by NALP and other organizations to strengthen career advising, coaching, employer relations, and legal recruiting skills.
• Work collaboratively with CSO team members to support office priorities, improve programs and services, and advance employment outcomes for students and alumni.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills relevant to law career services, legal recruiting, career advising, employer relations, or related field.
• Familiarity with the Southern California legal job market, including the ability to develop employer contacts and translate those relationships into employment opportunities for students and alumni.
• Current knowledge of legal employment trends and best practices in legal recruiting, including traditional and non‑traditional legal career paths.
• Ability to support students and alumni in all stages of career exploration, job search preparation, and professional development, including building rapport and engaging in candid, constructive advising conversations.
• Ability to positively represent Chapman University and Chapman University Fowler School of Law and proactively market the law school, students, and alumni to law firms, corporations, government agencies, the judiciary, public‑interest organizations, and other potential employers.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with, communicate with, and persuade diverse groups and individuals at all levels.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple and competing demands and complete work in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise good judgment and discretion, maintain confidentiality, and comply with FERPA and other applicable privacy obligations.
• Proven ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, preferably Microsoft Office Suite applications, and the technical ability to learn and use enterprise software.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, travel locally to conduct employer outreach in the Southern California legal community, and travel more extensively on occasion, as required by the position.

Desired Qualifications

Assistant Director – the following experience and education are required:

• Juris Doctor degree.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a judicial clerkship, law firm, or other legal work setting (e.g., in‑house legal department) as a licensed attorney, or a position that otherwise provides experience highly relevant to the duties of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.