Website Stanford Law School
Private Sector Career Advisor, Office of Career Services
Stanford Law School
The Office of Career Services (OCS) serves as a bridge between students, alumni and private sector employers. The staff helps students and alumni to shape and realize their career goals and provides career-related counseling, workshops, and resources. We also work closely with private sector legal employers to provide them with access to some of the best legal talent in the country.
The Private Sector Career Advisor (Advisor) counsels law students and alumni on career planning, job-search strategies, and legal markets, in particular those interested in pursuing private sector legal careers (private law firm and in-house opportunities). The Advisor reports to the Associate Dean of Career Services and will work with OCS staff on counseling and career-related programming for students and alumni seeking private sector employment.
CORE DUTIES:
- Advise JD students and alumni on a range of issues including, but not limited to, career options, job search skills, and individually tailored strategies related to private sector employment in order to assist them in making appropriate choices and decisions.
- Plan, design, and implement career-related programs (virtual & in-person). Analyze effectiveness and make strategic recommendations for future programs.
- Engage in critical analysis of student and program concerns to resolve substantial issues which may span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge. Develop policies, procedures and program content to address these issues.
- Analyze and develop student resources, including surveys, reports, and databases. Author and co-author a broad range of job search materials for students and alumni, including resources for resumes and cover letters, interviewing, networking, and non-law opportunities. Update materials and OCS website resources on an ongoing basis.
- Research and analyze the current state of the private sector legal markets to forecast emerging trends in those markets.
- Promote best practices in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging when working with students and alumni to create professional opportunities for career growth.
- Manage relationships with external communities and other university departments. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Creating promotional and informational materials to educate employers about the Law School and its students and alumni;
- Developing and maintaining relationships with Law School alumni and private sector employers to leverage on behalf of students;
- Developing and liaising with other Law School departments, staff, and faculty to understand their needs and goals and explore and develop mutually beneficial programs, resources, and services.
- Tracking alumni to advise students on alumni networking possibilities;
- Providing advice to internal and external organizations as a subject matter expert on the legal industry and legal recruiting
- Identify and develop private sector legal job opportunities for law students and alumni.
- May direct the work of other staff and contribute to the development of staff training programs.
- Interpret and implement university policy and practices for JDs as they relate to career development and job searches.
- Other duties may also be assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
- Knowledge of legal hiring markets. Previous experience in law as an attorney, law school advisor, law firm recruiting manager, legal recruiter, or career or executive coach required. JD or Masters Degree in Education or Counseling strongly preferred.
- Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills to review and analyze complex information.
- Ability to make independent decisions and exercise mature judgment and discretion.
- Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google docs/sheets.
- Advanced interpersonal skills to facilitate advising students and alumni and to provide excellent client service.
- Ability to ensure and apply compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.
- Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds represented in the Law School community.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practices and workshop and program design and implementation helpful.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple assignments under pressure with frequent interruptions.
- Confident, experienced and engaging public speaker.
- Creative researcher, able to effectively use databases and internet resources to identify relevant information and resources.
- Skilled at and comfortable with cultivating a collaborative and team-oriented environment.
- Extensive professional network of private sector attorneys and law firm recruiters very helpful.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your cover letter and resume via the Stanford Careers webpage referencing job number [ 96588].
Stanford Law School is an equal employment opportunity employer with a strong commitment to pursuing diversity in its hiring. 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.
Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.
