Associate Director of Career & Professional Development

Associate Director of Career & Professional Development

The Associate Director of Career & Professional Development (C&PD) advises students and alumni in developing an individualized career development plan, forming a sense of their professional identity, and maximizing employment prospects based on individual interests, abilities, and opportunities. The Associate Director utilizes strong communication skills to interact extensively with students, student organizations, alumni, and employers. The Associate Director collaborates with law school faculty, staff, employers, and alumni to plan, direct, and implement a comprehensive series of career programs, workshops, and networking events.

• Advise students and alumni on career development plans and professional identity.
• Build and maintain relationships with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver career development programs, workshops, and networking events.
• Manage and navigate the school’s employer/student software platform.
• Prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Evaluate options, solve complex problems, and develop strategies to achieve employment goals in response to changing legal markets and economic conditions.

• J.D. with at least three years practice experience OR another degree with at least seven years experience in law school career services or legal recruitment.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trusted relationships and work professionally with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff. Foster a welcoming, supportive environment and adapt to diverse personalities, backgrounds, and individual needs.
• Maintain relevant professional expertise, including knowledge of traditional and nontraditional legal employment opportunities, the NALP principles and standards, and the hiring criteria and practices of various legal employment settings. Continuously expand knowledge across a broad range of legal practice areas to support student career planning.
• Strong planning and organizational skills: effectively navigate the employer/student software platform, prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exercise sound judgment by evaluating options, solving complex problems, and developing strategies to achieve employment goals in response to changing legal markets and economic conditions.
• Demonstrate creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm in identifying new approaches to career development, enhancing student services, and optimizing legal employment outcomes.
• Maintain a student-centered approach by responding effectively to evolving needs, providing high-quality career guidance, and supporting positive employment outcomes through collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

08/16/2026

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.