Assistant Dean, Director of Career Opportunities/Professional Development (4224)

Assistant Dean, Director of Career Opportunities/Professional Development

Northern Illinois University College of Law invites applications for the position of Assistant Dean, Director of Career Opportunities & Professional Development, with a preferred start date of May 1 (flexible, but no later than July 1). Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a comprehensive research university offering programs from the Baccalaureate through the Doctorate. Colleges include Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. On-campus enrollment is approximately 15,000 students. The university also offers more than 200 off-campus courses each semester to students in communities throughout northern Illinois. The main campus is located in DeKalb, 65 miles west of Chicago's "Loop" and 40 miles southeast of Rockford with education centers in Rockford and Naperville. DeKalb/Sycamore, with a population of about 60,000, is a modern paradox, a rural/urban community. It is simultaneously recognized for its manufacturing and rich farmlands. The blend of industry and agriculture, coupled with the cultural and recreational facilities of the university and supplemented by easy access to Chicago and Rockford, provide an enjoyable environment in which to live.

The Assistant Dean, Director of Career Opportunities & Professional Development (COPD) ensures the College of Law's compliance with ABA accreditation standards, including ABA Standard 508, by overseeing the availability, quality, and effectiveness of career counseling and placement services provided to law students and alumni. The Assistant Dean & Director of COPD serves in a senior leadership role within the law school and reports to the Dean of the College of Law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Career Opportunities 50%The Director envisions, creates, and implements supportive and innovative strategies for career enhancement for College of Law students and alumni. Strategic Leadership/PlanningDevelops and implements a strategic vision for career services in alignment with the College of Law's mission, priorities, and student outcomes, and regularly assesses programs for effectiveness and continuous improvement. Counsel students and alumni in career planning, job searches, resume preparation, interviewing skills, and networking in the diverse legal market;Coordinates training skills workshops, career forums, and alumni speaker programs;Manages the on-campus interview (OCI) and student recruiting programs;Develop direct relationships and contacts, and foster effective outreach programs and working relationships, with employers, alumni, faculty, staff, and other placement professionals;Continuously grow alumni and employer outreach programs and current job listings;Directly introduce students and alumni to employers, driving excellence in law school's student and graduate employment outcomes relative to peer and aspirational schools;Encourage ongoing positive communications and relationships between students, alumni, and the COPD;Plan and implement innovative marketing strategies to identify and solicit a diverse group of potential employers;Work closely with the College of Law's Office of Alumni Events and Public Relations to cultivate and enhance employer and alumni relationships;External RepresentationRepresents the College of Law at regional and national legal, employer, and professional development conferences and recruiting events.Regularly attend and help organize and facilitate alumni and employer networking functions;Represents NIUCOL in the Chicago Area Law School Consortium and publicizes CALSC events and job fairs to students;Outcomes Data / Internal AssessmentManage employment data collection and reporting to the ABA, NALP, and other oversight entities;Manage employment data collection and reporting to USNEWS;Analyzes employment and career outcomes data to inform strategic planning, programming decisions, and reporting to internal stakeholders.Maintain and improve CDO databases and resource materials;Regularly meet with, report to the Dean of the College of Law and strategize with Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and the Director of the Academic Success Program and other law school administrators regarding above duties; andSupport and contribute to the law school's mission, student and community service ideals, and overall goals and objectives.Professional Development 35%The Director of COPD implements and oversees programming designed to develop and further the professionalism of the college's students and alumni:Oversees the 1L Mentor program:Match participating first-year students with practitioner/mentorsHosts the event wherein mentors are introduced to their menteesProcesses the mentoring plan submitted by the mentee/mentorCommunicates with mentorsOversees the Lawyer-to-Lawyer mentoring program:Serves as liaison to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on ProfessionalismMatches participating mentees with mentorsHosts the initial meeting where mentors are introduced to menteesOversees the fulfillment of the mentoring plan and submission of quarterly reportsServes as faculty for LAW515 and LAW516 Intro to Legal ProfessionalismServes as faculty advisor for all College of Law externships and teaches course component for all externships: andWorks with bar associations and outside organizations on professionalism events for studentsOther 15%The Director of COPD performs various administrative functions and assists the Dean and faculty:Maintain and submit data for the ABA Annual Questionnaire;Maintain and submit data for the ABA Bar Passage Questionnaire;Supervise the COPD, including managing the office budget and supervising the Office Manager and any Graduate Assistants;Assists with planning and participates in COL's graduation ceremony;Assists with selection of graduation award recipients;Assists with selection of Bar Prep Grant award winners;Assists with selection of various scholarship winners involving organizations outside of the College of Law;Supports the College of Law's fundraising efforts by leveraging relationships with alumni, employers, and external partners; attending alumni and employer events; and regularly communicating alumni accomplishments, career milestones, and professional developments to the Office of Alumni Engagement;Assists the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in recruiting, marketing, and meeting with applicants;Reports employment data to the COL Board of Trustees and COL Alumni Council;Serves as member of COL Bench and Bar Committee;Serves as member of COL Ad Hoc Committee on Public Interest;Performs other duties as assigned; andUpholds University mission through work performed.Proposed Part-Time J.D. Program Naperville Campus Responsibilities:In connection with the College of Law's proposed Part-Time J.D. Program at the Naperville campus the Assistant Dean & Director will:Provide career counseling and professional development support tailored to part-time J.D. students enrolled at the Naperville campus;Maintain a regular on-site presence at the Naperville location, including holding designated office hours each week;Coordinate and deliver career and professional development programming specific to the needs of part-time J.D. students, including evening and weekend offerings as appropriate;Develop and maintain employer, alumni, and practitioner relationships in the Naperville/Chicago-area market to support part-time student placement and advancement;Collaborate with Naperville-based faculty, administrators, and staff to ensure alignment of career services with the goals and structure of the Part-Time J.D. program;Ensures that part-time J.D. students receive career services and professional development support comparable in quality and scope to those provided at the DeKalb campus.Perform other duties as assigned; andUphold the University mission through work performed.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS) - Education:A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.Experience:At least 5+ years in legal practice, legal recruiting, or high-level law school administration.

Additional Requirements (SPS) - Memberships:ISBA, other State Bar Organizations, and NALP

Preferred Qualifications (SPS) - Leadership:Demonstrated ability to manage collaborative teams and departmental budgets.Strategic Networking:A proven track record of building high-value professional relationships and deep knowledge of the Illinois/Chicago legal market.Technical & Influence Skills:Proficiency with Law School CSM platforms and the ability to act as a "brand ambassador" for student success.

Physical demands/requirements - Must able to travel to various locations by car, bus, or air.The person in this position must be able to speak clearly and concisely.This position must be able to sit or stand comfortably.This position occasionally lifts up to 40 pounds.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date - 05/01/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year - 1.00

Standard Hours Per Week - 37.50

Working Hours - Mon-Fri, 8 am-4:30 p.m. Weekends and evenings, including periods of travel, required

Salary - Commensurate with experience and qualifications, starting at $110,000.00; NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Application Procedure

Application Procedure - For full consideration, prospective applicants should visit Assistant Dean, Director of Career Opportunities/Professional Development to create an application profile and submit the following materials by April 1, 2026:Cover letterCurriculum vita or resumeNames and contact information of three professional or academic referencesTranscripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application; official copies required to confirm appointment)Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the committee will begin reviewing materials immediately and establishing invitations for interviews before the preferred application date.Preference will be given to applications received by April 1, 2026, though applications will