Assistant Director of Career Services, Law School
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Working in a highly collaborative environment, the Assistant Director provides functional leadership across core areas of the office, coordinates the day-to-day execution of recruiting operations, and, when called upon, acts on behalf of the Assistant Dean. The role includes oversight of student staff workflow, leadership of major programs, independent employer engagement, and representation of the law school at the local, regional, and national levels.Job DescriptionStudent Advising, Employment Strategy & Placement Outcomes (50%)
- Provides comprehensive career advising to students and alumni, including individualized counseling on job search strategy, resume and application development, interviewing, and market positioning.
- Guides students pursuing a wide range of career paths, including private sector, public interest, government, and out-of-state markets.
- Develops and delivers workshops, panels, and programs on career development topics, legal hiring trends, and professional skills.
- Leads and manages key student-facing initiatives, including the mentor program, overseeing all planning, outreach, and execution.
- Identifies students in need of additional support and develops targeted strategies to improve employment outcomes.
- Maintains deep knowledge of legal hiring markets and applies that knowledge to advising and institutional strategy.
- Exercises independent judgment in career advising, employer engagement strategies, and recruitment program management.
- Leads the planning, management, and continuous improvement of recruitment programs, including on-campus interviewing, resume collect programs, and related hiring initiatives.
- Independently develops and maintains relationships with employers, alumni, and recruiting professionals to expand employment opportunities for students.
- Serves as a primary point of contact for designated employers and manages related outreach, communication, and engagement strategies.
- Represents the Career Services Office and the law school both internally and externally through presentations, employer outreach, professional association leadership, recruiting events, and engagement with alumni, students, faculty, and legal employers.
- Represents the law school through travel, networking, and participation in local, regional, and national recruiting efforts.
- Identifies and develops new employment pipelines and market opportunities, including expansion into competitive and out-of-state regions.
- Works with Assistant Dean to implement the Lawhawks Pathways Strategic Market Expansion Initiative to increase the law school’s reputation among employers in the Dallas, Denver, and Chicago metro areas and create a large and resilient pipeline of career and internship opportunities in Dallas, Denver, and Chicago.
- Develops and executes strategies to increase student and employer engagement in priority legal markets, including identifying opportunities for new partnerships and cultivating existing relationships.
- Establishes goals, measures outcomes, and evaluates the effectiveness of market expansion initiatives to inform ongoing strategy and resource allocation.
- Coordinates cross-functional efforts to strengthen the law school’s visibility, alumni engagement, employer relationships, and student placement opportunities in targeted markets.
- Conducts independent outreach to employers to initiate and develop professional relationships resulting in tangible outcomes for student and graduate employment, thereby creating a pipeline of jobs.
- Exercises discretion in allocating resources to support recruiting initiatives, including career fairs, professional memberships, and program development.
- Conceptualizes, develops, and implements policies, procedures, and operational protocols related to recruitment programming, employer engagement, student participation, and career services initiatives in alignment with the mission and strategic goals of the law school.
- Develops reports, analyzes employment outcomes and recruiting metrics, and evaluates market trends to assess program effectiveness, identify operational efficiencies, and recommend strategic or procedural improvements.
- Identifies emerging employment trends and market opportunities and translates them into programs and initiatives that support student career outcomes.
- Presents market trends to faculty and staff to keep the school apprised of legal market trends that impact faculty hiring, scholarship, and advising.
- Provides leadership and assistance in compliance-related reporting activities, including the collection, management, analysis, and submission of employment data for ABA, NALP, and other required disclosures, ensuring accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to accreditation standards.
- Implements process improvements and operational changes based on data and market conditions.
- Serves as a subject matter resource regarding legal recruiting trends, hiring practices, and career services strategy through participation and leadership in regional and national professional organizations.
- Provides day-to-day functional supervision and workflow coordination for student employees and office operations, including assigning work, overseeing recruiting support functions, training on office systems and procedures, and ensuring continuity of services.
- Acts on behalf of the Assistant Dean, when designated, in overseeing office operations, employer engagement activities, recruitment programming, and student services to ensure continuity of operations and decision-making.
- Exercises independent decision-making authority regarding recruitment operations, advising strategies, employer engagement activities, and program implementation, with decisions directly impacting office operations and student employment outcomes.
- Willingness and ability to travel, including overnight travel, air travel, and transporting students by car and van to events.
- Valid Kansas Driver’s License
- Juris doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school, or the foreign equivalent. NOTE: The position requires advanced knowledge of legal career pathways, hiring practices, and professional norms, as well as the ability to advise students and engage credibly with attorneys, judges, and legal employers. These functions necessitate a JD.
- Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in legal recruiting, law practice, law school career services, higher education administration, or related field.
- Demonstrated effective written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
- Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills necessary to advise students in individual and group settings as demonstrated by application materials and/or recommendations.
- Three-years of post-JD legal or professional work experience.
- Two-years of law school or higher education administration, counseling, student services, or career services experience.
- Prior legal recruiting or law practice experience.
- Knowledge of legal market and legal hiring practices.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal, administrative, organizational and speaking skills.
- Previous experience working collaboratively with students, alumni, staff, faculty and legal employers and to manage deadlines.
- Counseling, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and assessment of your skills related to the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume
- List of three professional references with contact information.
Assistant Dean for Career Services
784-864-0239
Staceyblakeman@ku.eduAdvertised Salary Range$90,000/yearApplication Review BeginsMonday October 12, 2026Anticipated Start DateMonday October 26, 2026Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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