Associate Dean, Office of Career Services, Stanford Law School

* NOTE:  This position has been deemed critical, has been approved by the Law School for posting, and is exempt from the hiring Freeze. 

Hybrid work arrangement: 4 days onsite during academic quarters; 3 days onsite during summer.

Stanford Law School (SLS) is one of the world's preeminent institutions for legal education, renowned for a rigorous and innovative curriculum, an extraordinary faculty, and graduates who go on to lead the profession in private practice, the judiciary, government, public interest, and business. SLS seeks an experienced, visionary leader to serve as Associate Dean for Career Services.

The Associate Dean of Career Services provides strategic vision, leadership, and long-range planning for all aspects of Stanford Law School’s Office of Career Services (“OCS”), including career counseling, programming, and recruiting for students and alumni, while working with employers and other key stakeholders to understand their evolving needs. Reporting directly to the Dean, this senior leader currently supervises 8 career professionals, and serves as a principal advisor to the Dean and law school leadership on issues related to professional development, employer engagement, and student employment outcomes, and cultivates relationships with employers, alumni, and peer institutions to ensure students and graduates are positioned for outstanding careers across legal sectors.

Strategic Vision and Planning

• Define the long-term vision and strategic direction for Career Services at Stanford Law School, set overarching goals, and develop actionable plans that align with Stanford Law's mission and values.

• Own, develop, and share a deep, continuously evolving understanding of the legal market, including trends and opportunities in private practice, judicial clerkships, and other sectors and fields open to Stanford Law graduates, both nationally and internationally.

• In consultation with employers, faculty, alumni, and advisors from fields complementary to law, build and articulate a creative and constantly evolving vision of career and professional development possibilities for SLS students and graduates.

• Develop and implement both short- and long-term goals for the employment of SLS students and graduates, including setting annual priorities, tracking outcomes, and reporting progress and trends to the Dean and other audiences as requested.

• Play a central role in SLS's strategic approach to the marketplace, providing advice and counsel to the Dean and faculty on issues related to professional development, employer engagement, curriculum, and career programming.

• Understand and employ innovative uses of research and technology in career development and recruiting processes.

• Collaborate with other departments within Stanford Law School and the University, including Student Affairs, Admissions, Communications, and Alumni Relations, to share market intelligence, coordinate programming, and advance shared goals.

• Participate in national conversation about the evolving legal employment landscape, contributing ideas that best represent the interests of SLS students and graduates. 

Career Education and Career Counseling

• Oversee and personally participate in delivering individualized, high-quality career counseling and coaching to J.D. students, LL.M. students, and alumni, tailored to their unique goals, backgrounds, and strengths.

• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive career education curriculum that equips SLS students and graduates with the career exploration, job search, and professional development skills necessary to excel in and actively manage their careers over time.

• Ensure OCS provides outstanding programming and resources across all career stages, including orientation for incoming students, 1L and 2L career planning, clerkship advising, and support for alumni seeking career transitions.

• Develop and direct programming that supports specialized student populations, including international students, first-generation law students, students pursuing non-traditional career paths, and students with prior professional careers.

• Develop and maintain online career resources to provide guidance on all aspects of career exploration, job search strategy, and professional development.

Employer Relations and Recruiting

• Build and sustain strong professional relationships with employers, alumni, and other stakeholders, including law firms, corporations, and federal and state judiciaries, both nationally and internationally.

• Develop and implement a strategic employer outreach plan to cultivate relationships, understand hiring needs and trends, and maximize employment opportunities for SLS students and graduates.

• Oversee an active and evolving roster of on-campus recruiting programs, job fairs, networking events, and employer information sessions across all relevant sectors.

• Build and maintain relationships with career services and professional development colleagues at peer institutions and through national organizations including NALP and the ABA.

 Leadership, Management and Operations

• Recruit, inspire, lead, and manage a highly talented team of career services professionals, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

• Provide effective staff management, including hiring, onboarding, training, professional development, workflow management, and performance evaluation, and succession planning.

• Manage departmental resources responsibly and creatively, including the OCS budget, technology platforms, and recruiting systems.

• Ensure compliance with Stanford University policies, applicable legal regulations, and NALP principles and standards.

 Data Analysis and Reporting

• Lead Career Services in the effective and responsible use of relevant data and technology, including the following tasks.

• Direct the collection, analysis, and reporting of post-graduate employment outcome data in accordance with ABA, NALP, and U.S. News & World Report requirements.

• Oversee the surveying of students, alumni, and judicial clerks to understand markets, employment choices, and career trajectories, and to inform counseling and programming.

• Analyze employment trends and outcomes to inform strategic decisions, enhance programming, and continuously improve student and alumni outcomes. Report findings to the Dean, faculty, the Law School's Board of Visitors, and other audiences as requested.

• Oversee compilation and analysis of statistical data necessary for ABA accreditation and other institutional reporting obligations.

 Collaboration and Institutional Alignment

• Participate as a senior member of the law school’s administrative leadership, engaging with the Dean, faculty, and fellow administrators on institutional priorities, policies and initiatives.

• Partner with the Office of Alumni Relations to identify and leverage alumni as employer contacts, mentors, and career resources for current students.

• Collaborate with student organizations to support and enhance career development offerings and ensure Career Services programming reflects student needs and interests.

Education and Experience

•  Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school (preferred), or graduate degree with experience in career services.

• 10 years of responsible leadership experience in legal career services, legal practice, legal recruiting, or a closely related field.

• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.

• Strong leadership and strategic management skills, and the ability to develop and execute long-term plans in a complex and dynamic institutional environment.

• Experience managing people, demonstrating effectiveness as a leader, mentor, and collaborator across a diverse professional team.

• Demonstrated success in employer relations and placement at the law school or professional services level.

• Deep knowledge of the legal employment market, including private practice, judicial clerkships, and fields complementary to law, both nationally and internationally.

• Ability to establish credibility and effective working relationships across organization.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.

• Demonstrated experience with significant and complex budgetary/financial management.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, including experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Demonstrated commitment to community and wellbeing, where students, staff, and colleagues from all backgrounds can thrive.

 Preferred:

• Prior leadership experience in career services at a top-tier law school.

• Experience in private legal practice, with firsthand knowledge of law firm culture and the associate experience.

• Familiarity with NALP standards, ABA employment reporting requirements, and U.S. News & World Report employment methodology.

• Experience with career services management platforms (e.g., FloRecruit, Symplicity).

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged. The following materials are required with your application:

• Cover letter addressing your experience and vision for legal career services

• Current curriculum vitae or résumé

• Three professional references (name, title, relationship, and contact information)

The expected pay range for this position is $191,546 to $239,965 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Stanford University is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as the needs of the institution evolve.