Associate Director of Career & Professional Development

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring an Associate Director of Career & Professional Development. This role involves advising law students and alumni to develop individualized career plans, enhancing professional identity, and fostering employment opportunities. The position requires collaboration with faculty, staff, employers, and alumni to design and execute career programs, workshops, and networking events.

Highlights

Advise students and alumni on career planning, job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing, and interview preparation.
Develop and deliver educational programming and networking opportunities including the 0L Summer program.
Support employer relations by cultivating contacts and representing the School of Law in legal and professional forums.
Lead initiatives promoting government and public interest employment opportunities and provide student guidance on recruitment strategies.
Create online career resources in collaboration with the Communications Team.
Required to have a bachelor's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or equivalent certification/training.
Preferred qualifications include a J.D. with three years practice experience or seven years in law school career services/legal recruitment.
Strong interpersonal, communication, planning, organization, and problem-solving skills essential.
Salary range is $63,557 to $85,000, commensurate with experience.
Full-time, 37.5 hours/week, Monday-Friday schedule with flexibility as needed.

Associate Director of Career & Professional Development Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by August 16, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

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

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo
Posting Number	STA00503PO26
Job Family	Academic and Career Counseling
Job Function	Career Services
USC Market Title	Career Development Administrator
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/144867
Job Level	P4 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)	Associate Director of Career & Professional Development
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	School of Law
Department	LAW School of Law
State Pay Range	G10
USC Market Range	MRH - $63,557 $79,446 $95,336
Anticipated Hiring Range	$63,557 - $85,000 commensurate with experience
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	In person, Monday through Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm with an hour for lunch each day. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Student Services

About USC

About University of South Carolina	From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement	The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	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.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications	J.D. with at least three years practice experience OR other degree with at least seven years experience in law school career services or legal recruitment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Demonstrate 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 effectively adapt to diverse personalities, backgrounds, and individual needs. Maintain relevant professional expertise, including knowledge of traditional and nontraditional legal employment opportunities, 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 effectively support student career planning. Exhibit strong planning and organizational skills by effectively navigating the school’s employer/student software platform, prioritizing responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and managing 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.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Student Advising: Provide career counseling to current students and alumni, including guidance with job search strategies, writing resumes and cover letters, and preparing for interviews. Identify Job opportunities using employer/employee matching tools.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	40

Job Duty	Educational Content Development & Delivery: Develop and implement educational programming and events such as the 0L Summer program. Plan and execute networking opportunities for students.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Job Duty	Assist in and support the execution of the office’s employer relations strategy by connecting with legal employers, cultivating employer contacts and relationships for state, regional, and national employment opportunities, and representing the School of Law at bar meetings, conferences, and professional development programs and collaborative activities with representatives from other law schools, legal employers, NALP, and appropriate industry associations. .
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Government & Public Interest Opportunities: Lead office’s efforts to promote and engage government and public interest employers. Develop programs and materials to educate and advise students regarding application strategies, recruitment programs, and career paths.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	In collaboration with the Communications Team, create online resources to assist students with developing job search skills, learning about opportunities for law school graduates, and understanding the critical competencies necessary for success in these positions.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Additional duties as assigned.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive	No
Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date	07/02/2026
Job Close Date	08/16/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by August 16, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: 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 Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/208919
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have at least a Bachelor's Degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents

List of References and Contact Information

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Original Job Description