Director of Public Interest Career Development Program, Stanford School of Law

John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law

Position: Director of Public Interest Career Development Program.
Term: Two-year fixed-term with possibility of renewal.
Commitment: Full-time, fixed-term.
Ideal start date: June 2026.
Final date to receive applications: Rolling review; apply early.

Location: Stanford Law School, hybrid schedule (minimum 3 days onsite weekly). (Subject to change per university policy.)

Requisition : 108178.
Job Code: 7503.

The Center is central to the law school’s commitment to training lawyers devoted to public service. It develops, implements, and administrates programs, events, workshops, and classes that promote and support public service, including leadership and career development for students and alumni, curriculum planning, student‑group collaboration, and external relations. The team has six members, including the Public Interest Career Development Director.

• Alumni Mentor Program
• Externship Program
• Public Interest Mentor Program
• Pro Bono Program
• Public Service Awards
• Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowships Program
• Summer Public Interest Employment Funding Program

The Director leads the design and implementation of all career‑development programs for the Center, counsels students and alumni on career planning and job search strategies, and may teach a public‑interest course. The role reports to the Executive Director and collaborates with the team on programming, training, and workshops.

• Provide direct advice to law‑school students and alumni on career options and job‑search strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public‑interest and public‑sector employers, alumni, and faculty.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate related programs, workshops, and panels.

• Manage the Public Interest Career Development Program.
• Engage in critical analysis of concerns to resolve problems, utilizing professional knowledge.
• Oversee essential processes to advance the Center’s mission and contribute to policy and program development.
• Create and manage relationships with external community and university partners.
• Develop and implement relevant career‑related programming and make strategic recommendations.
• Interpret and implement university and law‑school policies related to student support.
• Analyze student needs and design student‑facing communications; lead creation of content for the Center website, newsletter, and materials.
• Oversee key processes, including contribution and direction on policy and program content.
• Track student and alumni public‑interest/public‑service job placements for internal and external audiences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• J.D. required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience practicing as a public‑interest or public‑sector attorney.
• Advanced communication skills for internal and external audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced customer‑service skills – interpersonal, advising, and counseling.
• Relevant computer system/technology experience.
• Ability to ensure compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.

• 7+ years of legal practice experience as a public‑interest or public‑sector attorney.
• Experience with international human rights, rule of law in transitional societies, and law and international development.
• Familiarity with government job markets, employers, post‑graduate fellowship funders and programs, and government honors or new attorney hiring programs.
• Experience in an educational environment with undergraduate or graduate students.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated time‑management skills and ability to handle multiple tasks under pressure.
• Sensitivity to diversity of student body and career interests.
• Sense of humor and teamwork ability.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Stanford University will provide reasonable accommodation to employees with a disability who…