Director of Public Interest Career Development Program, Stanford Law School

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Law School’s Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law seeks a Director of Public Interest Career Development Programs to lead advising and programming for students and alumni pursuing public service careers. The role emphasizes strong EI, equity, and collaboration with students, alumni, and external partners.

The position offers a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible arrangement with a hybrid work option (up to 1 day telecommuting weekly) and a start date around January

Qualifications

• J.D. or equivalent law degree with eligibility to practice law.
• Experience advising students and alumni on career options in public interest and public sector.
• Strong relationship-building with employers, alumni, and faculty.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct career guidance to law students and alumni on public service opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public interest and public sector employers, alumni, and faculty.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate programs, workshops, and panels related to public service careers.
• Track student and alumni job placements and outcomes.
• Oversee mission-critical processes and content for Levin Center communications and web materials.

Skills

Public interest law

Career advising

Stakeholder relations

Program management

Education

Law Degree

Job description

Job Description

Stanford Law School

John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INTEREST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Application Deadline: November 2, 2026

NOTE: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible.

Stanford Law School Budgeted Salary Range Upon Hire: $115,000 - $130,000

Commitment

– Full-time, permanent. Ideal start date: January 2027

Stanford Law School is encouraging flexible work arrangements. This position has the option to work a hybrid work schedule of up to 1 day of telecommuting per week.

Overview

The John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law is central to achieving Stanford Law School’s commitment to educating and training new lawyers who are committed to public service regardless of their career path. The Levin Center is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of programs, events, workshops and classes that promote and support public service in the legal profession. Its activities include leadership and career development for students and alumni, curricular and program planning, work with student groups, as well as external, alumni, and employer relations.

Programs administered by the Levin Center include Alumni Mentor Program, Externship Program, Public Interest Mentor Program, Pro Bono Program, Public Service Awards, Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowships Program, and Summer Public Interest Employment Funding Program.

The Levin Center is a thought leader within the law school about how to advance the public interest and a partner with our students to provide them support, help them build community, and to develop the skills, vision, and resilience needed to succeed as public interest and public service attorneys.

Position Description

This position is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position. We hope to fill this position no later than January 2027. Stanford Law School offers a competitive salary and benefits as well as a hybrid work option. This position may require occasional work on evenings and weekends as well as some travel.

To be successful in this role you will have a high level of emotional intelligence and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. If you have experience working with the public interest and/or public sector legal communities, and have previously enjoyed supervising, mentoring, hiring, etc., law students and/or young lawyers, this position is for you.

Public Interest & Public Sector/Governmental Opportunities - Advising & Programming

• Provide direct advice to law school students and alumni on career options as well as job search skills and strategies related to summer or permanent employment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public interest and public sector legal employers, alumni, and faculty.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate related programs, workshops, and panels.

General Responsibilities

• Engage in critical analysis of students’ or others’ concerns to resolve problems, utilizing professional knowledge and expertise.
• Oversee critical processes to ensure the Levin Center mission is being advanced and contribute to development of policy and program content.
• Create and manage relationships with external community and university partners.
• Develop and implement relevant career-related programming and make strategic recommendations for future programs.
• Interpret and implement university and law school policies related to working with and support law students.
• Analyze student needs and design student facing communications.
• Provide leadership related to responsible substantive areas to create content for Levin Center website, newsletter, and other materials.
• Track student and alumni PI/PS job placements.
• Other duties may also be assigned, as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications (See below for further requirements)

• Law Degree
• At least 7 years of experience practicing as a public interest or public sector attorney.
• Experience and familiarity with job opportunities in the fields of international human rights, rule of law in transitional societies, and law and international development.
• Familiarity with government job markets, employers, organizations, post-graduate fellowship funders and programs, and government honors or new attorney hiring programs.
• Experience working in an educational environment with undergraduate or graduate students.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks under pressure, with frequent interruptions.
• Sensitivity to diversity of student body and career interests.
• Sense of humor and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.