Duke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Occupational Summary
The overall goal of the position is to holistically support the overall mission of the Office of International Studies by providing strategic management of multiple programs and initiatives aimed at expanding the school’s global reputation. The Director will work closely with the Associate and Assistant Deans for International Studies and the Director of LLM Admissions. One of the core functions of the role will be to support International LLM students in their professional development and career preparation. In addition, the Director’s responsibilities will also include preparation and management of the Visiting Scholar program and the LLM Ambassador Program. The Director may assist with recruitment and evaluation of LLM applicants. The Director will collaborate closely with colleagues across the Law School and University, including the Career & Professional Development Center, Alumni & Development Office, Communications, Office of the Registrar, Duke Visa Services, and others.
Work Performed
The Director of LLM Special Programs in the International Studies Office works in the following areas:
- LLM Career and Professional Development (30%)
Under the direction of the Assistant Dean for International Studies and in close collaboration with the colleagues in the Career & Professoinal Development Center (CPDC), the Director will support the implementation and execution of the Law School’s comprehensive career and professional development training program for international LLM students, focusing on two main areas: (1) offering individualized career counseling to LLM students and graduates, and (2) supporting career and professional development programming. Work within each area will reinforce the work in the other; to provide a sense of the different responsibilities in each, however, work in each of the two areas is broken down below. The Director will attend weekly CPDC meeting and participate in various initiatives and programs of that office on as needed basis.
Student Career Counseling
The Director is one of the primary providers of career counseling and targeted advice to LLM students and graduates through one-on-one meetings. The position counsels and advises students and graduates in two broad areas – professional development and industry knowledge. Professional development ranges from self-assessment, long and short-term narrative development and career planning, to the detailed review of resumes, cover letters and other written material. Also covered are discussions of professional opportunities, guidance and advice on search strategies and techniques, interviewing, networking, general professionalism and more. Industry knowledge requires a thorough understanding of the U.S. legal market, particularly in the context of LLM recruitment, an appreciation of the unique challenges faced by international candidates, as well as knowledge of—or the desire to learn—legal markets in other regions, particularly Western Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Middle East and Africa.
Career and Professional Development Programming
The Director will initiate and organize a wide range of career-related panel discussions, presentations, receptions and workshops in order to prepare LLM students for practice in the United States, and/or in their home country or other markets. Other projects, based on the needs assessment, may include researching and developing new student resources, assisting in updating current resources, and developing new programs and initiatives.
- Administer the Visiting Scholar Program (15%)
Working closely with Director of LLM Admissions and Duke Visa Services, the Director will collect and review applications for the Duke Law School Visiting Scholar program. In consultation with Associate Dean for Internatinoal Studies, the Director will liaise with applicants, convey admission decisions, orient Visiting Scholars (VS) upon arrival, coordinate VS’s course auditing, and assist Duke Visa Services with relevant visa paperwork. The Director will also coordinate library space and services for VS with the Duke Law Library staff and arrange social events and other appropriate scholarly activities for VS.
- Manage Strategic Communications (15%)
In consultation with Associate Dean and working closely with the Law School Communications Office, the Director will oversee, plan, and implement communications with LLM applicants. The Director will work with relevant stakeholders at the Law School to host accurate and up-to-date information on the external Office of International Studies website, internal student websites, LLM Orientation website, and Admitted Students Website. The Director will be the primary liaison with the Law School social media team and suggest new and improved ways of reaching prospective LLM applicants, admitted LLM students, current students and LLM graduates.
- Implement and Administer Programs Aimed at Integrating JD and LLM students. (15%)
Under the supervision of Associate and Assistant Deans, manage and supervise LLM Ambassadors program, the JD & LLM Networking Program, and International Week programs.
- LLM Recruitment and Admissions (25%)
When necessary, undertake LLM recruitment activities, including but not limited to international travel, presenting at universities and law firms, and corresponding with prospective applicants to the International LLM Program and the Summer Institute of Law, Language & Culture. Under supervision of the Associate and Assistant Deans, review, track, and evaluate LLM applications; conduct applicant interviews, communicate admission offers, and serve on the scholarship award committee. These efforts are intended to deepen and broaden recruiting efforts to attract and enroll qualified LLM students as needed to facilitate adjustment of LLM enrollments.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training
Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
Experience
Work requires the ability to plan and administer programs and direct program activities within a specific functional area, generally acquired through four years of related experience.
OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Law degree - either JD or LLM degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school
- Taking and passing a U.S. bar exam is a plus.
- Experience in career development at a law school, legal personnel/professional development role at a law firm, or consulting firm to the legal industry.
- Direct experience working with International LLM students in a career counseling or related capacity is highly preferable.
- A minimum of 3 years of legal work experience is preferred, including some experience in a large law firm setting.
- Supervisory or management experience.
- Experience working and living in a foreign country is strongly preferred.
- Fluency in one or more foreign languages is a plus.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and an open, supportive and empathetic approach to
student interactions.
- Ability to set goals, make decisions, prioritize and initiate new projects.
- Demonstrated judgment and creative problem solving.
- Commitment to learning and applying laws and university policies.
- Ability to collaborate successfully with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
and positions.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
Experience
Work requires the ability to plan and administer programs and direct program activities within a specific functional area, generally acquired through four years of related experience OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE..
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
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Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.