Position Information Posting Detail Information Working Position Title Assistant Dean Director of Career OpportunitiesProfessional Development 4224 Classification Dean Assistant Position Number 00004224 Open Date 02052026 Close Date Priority Review Date 04012026 Employee Class Staff Full-TimePart Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Exempt Job code 1300 Union Representation Non-Union Union Code NA UnitDepartment College of Law CollegeUnit College of Law Dean Division Academic Division Location SP 270 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page College of Law Position Summary Requirements and Qualifications Position Summary Requirements and Qualifications Overview 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 15000 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 Chicagos Loop" and 40 miles southeast of Rockford with education centers in Rockford and Naperville. DeKalbSycamore with a population of about 60000 is a modern paradox a ruralurban community. It is simultaneously recognized for its manufacturing and rich farmlands. The site of the first manufacturing of barbed wire and the development of hybrid seed corn are evidence of its diversified history. 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. Position Summary The Assistant Dean Director of Career Opportunities & Professional Development COPD ensures the College of Laws 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 LeadershipPlanning Develops and implements a strategic vision for career services in alignment with the College of Laws 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 schools 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 Laws Office of Alumni Events and Public Relations to cultivate and enhance employer and alumni relationships External Representation Represents 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 NIU COL in the Chicago Area Law School Consortium and publicizes CALSC events and job fairs to students Outcomes Data Internal Assessment Manage 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 and Support and contribute to the law schools 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 colleges students and alumni Oversees the 1L Mentor program Match participating first-year students with practitionermentors Hosts the event wherein mentors are introduced to their mentees Processes the mentoring plan submitted by the menteementor Communicates with mentors Oversees the Lawyer-to-Lawyer mentoring program Serves as liaison to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Matches participating mentees with mentors Hosts the initial meeting where mentors are introduced to mentees Oversees the fulfillment of the mentoring plan and submission of quarterly reports Serves as faculty for LAW 515 and LAW 516 - Intro to Legal Professionalism Serves as faculty advisor for all College of Law externships and teaches course component for all externships and Works with bar associations and outside organizations on professionalism events for students Other - 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 COLs 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 Laws 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 and Upholds University mission through work performed. Proposed Part-Time J.D. Program - Naperville Campus ResponsibilitiesIn connection with the College of Laws 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 NapervilleChicago-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 and Uphold the University mission through work performed. Minimum Required Qualifications Civil Service NA Knowledge Skills and Abilities KSAs Civil Service NA Specialty Factors Civil Service NA Preferred Qualifications Civil Service NA 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 MembershipsISBA 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 IllinoisChicago legal market. Technical & Influence Skills Proficiency with Law School CSM platforms and the ability to act as a brand ambassador" for student success. Physical demandsrequirements 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 Appointment and Compensation Details Anticipated Appointment Start Date 05012026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours Mon-Fri 8 am-430 p.m. Weekends and evenings including periods of travel required Salary Commensurate with experience and qualifications starting at 110000.00 NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay RateRange Commensurate with experience and qualifications starting at 110000.00 NIU offers a robust benefits package. Earn Type Salary Application Procedure Application Procedure Application Procedure For full consideration prospective applicants should visit Assistant Dean Director of Career OpportunitiesProfessional Development to create an application profile and submit the following materials by April 1 2026 Cover letter Curriculum vita or resume Names and contact information of three professional or academic references Transcripts 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 be accepted until the position is filled. Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant httpsemployment.niu.edupostings90152 Is Background Check Required Yes EEO Statement Summary In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race ethnicity color national origin ancestry sex religion age disability physical and mental marital status veteran status sexual orientation gender identity and expression political affiliation or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination equal opportunity and affirmative action.The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policiesEthics and Compliance Officer Title IX CoordinatorHealth Services Building Room 230TitleIXCoordinatorniu.edu815-753-5560 Visa Policy In compliance with federal law all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. ADA Accommodation NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a persons disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity AAEO at adaniu.edu. Safety Information NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy. Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter ResumeCurriculum Vitae List of at least 3 Professional References Transcripts unofficial with official required at hire Optional Documents Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk .