Assistant Dean for Career Strategy and Advancement

Villanova University, United States

Updated: 12 days ago
Location: Villanova, PENNSYLVANIA
Deadline: ;

Posting Details

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Posting Details (Default Section)


Posting Number: 20243943S
Position Title: Assistant Dean for Career Strategy and Advancement
Position Type: Staff
Location: Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Avg Hours Week
Department: 244-Law School Student Services
Position Summary:
The Assistant Dean will lead all aspects of the Office of Career Strategy and Advancement in the delivery of a comprehensive career services program for students and alumni, including the provision of counseling for students and alumni, the creation and implementation of educational programming and skill workshops for students and alumni, the development and expansion of employer relations, and the implementation of strategic initiatives to increase employment opportunities for students and alumni. The position requires combining the roles of administrator, marketer, and adviser with the ability to articulate and execute a compelling vision for the office and its programs. An important component of the Assistant Dean’s leadership is the ability to educate employers about the skills, abilities and experience possessed by Villanova Law students and alumni, to emphasize the services the office provides, and to encourage an expanding array of employers to recruit from Villanova Law. The Assistant Dean will oversee the Office’s budget, personnel, employer relations, and job search/career counseling and will work to establish strong relationships with Faculty and other departments throughout the school to promote the best interest of students. In addition, the Assistant Dean will have primary responsibility for the collection and reporting of employment data to various constituencies and must ensure appropriate compliance measures are observed with regard to data collection.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian order. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead all aspects of the management and administration of the Office of Career Strategy, including strategic planning; recruiting, training and supervising staff; obtaining and managing resources; establishing and implementing policies and initiatives; providing updates to Faculty, Associate Deans, Vice Dean, and Dean. Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable policies and develop appropriate practices. Primary responsibility for collection and reporting of employment data to various constituencies, including ABA data, NALP surveys, and US News.
  • Develop and deliver career and professional development educational programming and resources and skills workshops, including programming for professional development course. Collaborate with student groups and administrative departments. Research, draft, and distribute career guidance materials and handbooks for students, employers, alumni, and other audiences. Manage website and blackboard content. Provide instructions, orientation, and counseling to law students in career development and professional development matters. Coach students to develop short- and long-term job seeking strategies and career plans.
  • Create and lead strategy for increasing employment opportunities for students. Develop and expand employer/volunteer outreach and relationship management. Consult with employers on recruitment goals. Evaluate, monitor, and lead special recruitment initiatives or related programs. Represent VLS externally to employers and various associations (e.g., NALP, GPALS, Bar Associations, PDLG, etc.) through meetings, publications, and other organization roles.
  • Student and alumni career counseling and advising, including appointments, critiques of application materials, group meetings, etc.
  • Participate in Villanova Law initiatives, committees, and associations connected to the work of the Office of Career Strategy and Advancement and other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and a minimum of five years experience in the legal profession.
  • Extensive knowledge of the legal profession, the legal employment market, and career options for law students. A vision for how the Law School can provide the highest quality career services program for students and alumni is necessary.
  • Leadership, teaching, and communication skills (including public speaking and writing) among diverse constituents (faculty, alumni, students, employers, colleagues). Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude sufficient to inspire and work effectively with diverse groups of students, faculty, alumni, and employers.
  • Effective personnel management, supervision, and training skills.
  • Desire and aptitude for marketing the Law School to external audiences.
  • Enthusiasm for reaching out to students, employers, and alumni to market career advising and education services and recruitment programs. Networking and marketing skills.
  • Student mentoring, counseling, and advising abilities, including approachability and cultural competence.
  • Strategic planning, goal setting, and assessment skills; ability to collect, analyze, and report quantitative data, including program outcomes, budgets, and goal attainment.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities efficiently.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Law school career services and/or legal recruiting experience is desired, but not required.
  • Prior experience and/or training in legal education, counseling, mentoring and diversity, equity and inclusion matters preferred.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
This position requires occasional travel and work during evenings and weekends.
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date:
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
Salary Posting Information:
Commensurate with experience
Salary Band: K
Job Classification: exempt

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