The Director of Career Development will guide students and alumni in job search strategies; develop and market career exploration, networking, job application and interview preparation programming, and create and revise professional development resources. The Director will help lead the School of Law’s strategic efforts to identify, outreach to, build and maintain lasting relationships with potential and current employers, particularly in Silicon Valley, but also beyond. The Director also will have principal responsibility for the Office of Career Management’s (OCM’s) efforts to support the School of Law’s student organizations with their professional development programming and events.

The Director will collaborate closely with the entire OCM staff (consisting of a team of several full-time employees, one part-time employee, and several student employees), other departments, faculty, and staff. Specifically, the Director will work closely with the Recruiting & Office Manager in OCM, as both positions have responsibilities related to employer relations and recruiting, among other functions. This is a full-time position, reporting to the Assistant Dean of OCM.

We are looking for a culturally competent collaborator who can effectively interact with a dynamic population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity, who shares our values, and who will support the mission of the University through their work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Educate, coach, counsel and advise law students and alumni to identify meaningful employment options for them, to learn job search strategies; to create professional application materials, to learn interview and other key professional communication skills, and to utilize self-marketing techniques.
• Develop and maintain relationships with law faculty, administration, alumni volunteers, mentors and members of the Law Alumni Board and make referrals when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other career office and counseling professionals on campus and make referrals when appropriate.
• Lead communication and programs for students related to preparing for employer engagement and the recruiting process.
• Strategically grow Santa Clara Law's employer base, particularly in Silicon Valley but also beyond; deepen existing recruiting relationships, and drive creation of new systems to effectively manage demand for on and off-campus student/employer engagement.
• Manage on-campus recruiting, employment events/visits, career fairs, and employer development to facilitate opportunities for Santa Clara Law students to engage with top employers matching their interests, skills, and values.
• Anticipate employer needs; and forecast recruiting trends.
• Innovate with new ideas and perspectives.
• Benchmark employer relations best practices and represent the law school through active membership in organizations such as BALRA, NALP, and the Bay Area Law School Consortium of Law School Career Offices.
• Work with law student organizations interested in planning career-related activities.
• Attend and participate in student organization and other law school department events to create relationships and partnerships with these departments and organizations.
• Design, develop and lead programs and presentations focused on career exploration and job search strategies, preparation for on campus interviews, and other topics, such as building your professional relationships.
• Train and guide students in extensive on-campus interviewing programs. This may include events to prepare them on the timeline and process to apply, interview preparation including running a mock interview program, and communication or workshops on call-back etiquette, and more.
• Collaborate with other law school departments, participate in law school consortia to develop co-sponsored events, and collaborate with student organizations and assist them in planning career-related activities.

• J.D., or equivalent recruiting/career counseling work experience at a law firm or law school, M.B.A. or Master’s in Psychology coupled with equivalent legal recruiting/career counseling experience in related field may be considered.
• Four or more years of experience in career counseling, advising, student services or equivalent experience preferred.
• Knowledge of legal employment issues, especially the Bay Area legal market strongly preferred.
• Available some nights and some weekends.
• Sensitivity to the needs of diverse and multicultural constituencies.
• Demonstrated experience working in a team-based, collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Santa Clara University and the School of Law.

About Santa Clara University School of Law

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University blends high-tech innovation with a social consciousness grounded in the Jesuit educational tradition. We are committed to leaving the world a better place. We pursue new technology, encourage creativity, engage with our communities, and share an entrepreneurial mindset.

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