Assistant Director of Career Advising

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $87,000 - $95,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean, Office of Private Sector Careers, the Assistant Director provides career counseling and professional development services to students of the Law School.  The incumbent is responsible for assisting with all aspects of administering, planning and implementing the mandate of the office for J.D. and domestic and international LL.M. students.

Responsibilities

1. Counsel law students (J.D. and LL.M.) in all aspects of their professional formation and job search activities including: administering and reviewing self-assessments; creating career roadmaps; narrative development; drafting career documentation; preparing for successful interviews; identification of potential legal employers, career paths and work environments most consistent with their personal and professional needs, etc. 
2. Conduct professional development workshops related to the OPSC Professional Development Curriculum and Professional Formation program for each class of J.D. students and for LL.M. students. Topics may include: (a) navigating the professional workplace, (b) resume writing, (c) narrative development (d) personal leadership, (e) practice area exploration, (f) the strategic job search, etc. Assist the Dean of Private Sector Careers and Director of J.D. Advising in the development of innovative programming, coursework and events for J.D. students. 
3. Develop specialty resources for JD/MBA students. Serve as a liaison to the Office of Admissions, Student Services and the Columbia Business School to recruit potential JD/MBA candidates, develop programming for the cohort and assist in their professional development. Serve as the principal counselor of JD/MBA students in all class years. Organize and attend events for JD/MBA alumni and students to foster a well-developed alumni network. Serve as a point of contact for private sector non-law firm employers seeking to employ JD/MBA, and JDs. 
4. Stay abreast of legal recruiting industry trends by periodically reviewing relevant publications and other resources, attending conferences and symposia, participating in NALP, NYCRA and similar conferences/committees.  
5. Assist in developing resources for students and in refining/editing office publications and communications sent to students. 
6. Assist with special projects and events as requested. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent. JD or LLM degree preferred.  Must have 3-5 years’ experience in the legal field, counseling field or in another professional field.  Experience should include law practice, career counseling, program planning and/or professional development experience; prior employment in a law firm, academic or other professional environment preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Required Competencies:

• Superior oral and written communication skills, including public speaking experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with staff and students in an institution committed to reducing structural barriers to inequality across races, religions, orientations, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and other dimensions of identity.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in the handling of sensitive and highly confidential information.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the demonstrated capacity to advise and meaningfully and respectfully interact with diverse, multi-generational constituents.  
• Affinity for collaboration and ability to work well across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to leverage work experience and professional network to develop meaningful relationships. 
• Ability to multitask and be part of a collegial team, while working under pressure and balancing competing tasks.
• Organizational and analytical skills and the ability to synthesize and meaningfully evaluate data.
• Technological and computer literacy, including familiarity with or strong interest in developing knowledge of Symplicity, Campus Groups, Courseworks, and digital learning technology.
• A passion for, and commitment to, delivering exceptional customer service.
• Ability to travel occasionally and work some evenings.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.