Assoc. Dir. of Career & Professional Development

University of South Carolina; Columbia, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

13 Paid Holidays

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

The University of South Carolina’s School of Law seeks an Associate Director of Career & Professional Development to guide students and alumni in crafting career plans, advising on job search strategies, resumes, interviews, and networking events.

The role collaborates with law school faculty, staff, employers and alumni to plan, direct and implement a full program of career services, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience.
• J.D. with at least three years practice experience OR other degree with at least seven years experience in law school career services or legal recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Provide career counseling to students and alumni, including job search strategies and interview preparation.
• Develop and deliver educational programming and networking events for students and employers.
• Connect with employers to foster relationships and coordinate opportunities for state, regional, and national employment.
• Promote private practice opportunities and advise on application strategies and recruitment.
• Collaborate with Communications to create online resources supporting job search skills.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Professional demeanor

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

J.D. or law degree

Law career services experience

Job description

Assoc. Dir. of Career & Professional Development

We are only accepting applications submitted by November 9, 2026.

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Professional Development Opportunities

Business Title (Internal Title) Assoc. Dir. of Career & Professional Development

Campus

Campus Columbia

Work County

College/Division

College/Division School of Law

Department

Department LAW School of Law

State Pay Range

State Pay Range G10

USC Market Range

USC Market Range MRH - $64,827 $81,034 $97,241

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range commensurate with experience within the market range

Location of Vacancy

Location of Vacancy Columbia, SC

Part/Full Time

Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week 37.5

Work Schedule

• M-F 8:30am – 5pm with one hour for lunch.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category Student Services

About USC

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Position Description Advertised Job Summary

The Associate Director of Career & Professional Development (C&PD) advises students and alumni in developing an individualized career development plan, forming a sense of their professional identity, and maximizing employment prospects based on individual interests, abilities, and opportunities. The Associate Director utilizes strong communication skills to interact extensively with students, student organizations, alumni, and employers. The Associate Director collaborates with law school faculty, staff, employers, and alumni to plan, direct, and implement a comprehensive series of career programs, workshops, and networking events.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. with at least three years practice experience OR other degree with at least seven years experience in law school career services or legal recruitment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Employee must have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and be able to build relationships of trust and confidence with students and employers.
• Must be able to work in a professional manner with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff.
• Must have ability to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students.
• Must adapt to various personalities and needs.
• Employee must have relevant professional knowledge.
• Must have knowledge of traditional and nontraditional legal employment options.
• Maintain knowledge of National Association of Legal Professionals ( NALP ) principles and standards.
• Must understand various employment settings and their hiring criteria and methods.
• Must continue to acquire legal knowledge in a wide range of practice areas in order to assist students in their career planning.
• Employee must have planning and organizational skills.
• Must be able to effectively navigate in the school’s employer/student software platform.
• Must be able to set priorities, maintain deadlines, and work on multiple projects contemporaneously.
• Employee must have problem solving and decision making skills/judgment.
• Must be able to weigh options.
• Develop strategies to meet employment goals in changing market and economic conditions.
• Prefer employee to have creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm in exploring new ways to provide career development to students and optimize legal employment goals.

Job Duties

• Job Duty Student Advising: Provide career counseling to current students and alumni, including guidance with job search strategies, writing resumes and cover letters, and preparing for interviews. Identify Job opportunities using employer/employee matching tools. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 40
• Job Duty Educational Content Development & Delivery: Develop and implement educational programming and events such as the 0L Summer program. Plan and execute networking opportunities for students. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15
• Job Duty Assist in and support the execution of the office’s employer relations strategy by connecting with legal employers, cultivating employer contacts and relationships for state, regional, and national employment opportunities, and representing the School of Law at bar meetings, conferences, and professional development programs and collaborative activities with representatives from other law schools, legal employers, NALP , and appropriate industry associations. . Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20
• Job Duty Private Practice Opportunities: Contribute to the office’s efforts to promote and engage private practice employers. Develop programs and materials to educate and advise students regarding application strategies, recruitment programs, and career paths. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty In collaboration with the Communications Team, create online resources to assist students with developing job search skills, learning about opportunities for law school graduates, and understanding the critical competencies necessary for success in these positions. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty Additional duties as assigned. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential