About the Opportunity

The Center for Co-op and Career Development oversees all aspects of career planning for the law school’s 645+ JD students, 35+ LL.M students, and 60+ FlexJD students. This includes responsibility for year-round co-op placements, continuous employer outreach and engagement, on-campus interviewing programs (OCI), professional development programming, and postgraduate placement.

Northeastern University School of Law’s year-round Cooperative Legal Education Program (“Co-op”) is the law school’s signature experiential program and a core component of our students’ professional training. The law school is regularly ranked #1 for Practical Training due to the strength and sophistication of its co-op program. There are currently approximately 1200+ co-op employers, around the nation and the world.

The Center for Co-op and Career Development is also responsible for metric/outcome reporting requirements to the American Bar Association and to the National Association for Law Placement, and those outcomes feed directly into the law school’s national ranking and reputation.

The Center for Co-op and Career Development’s Private Sector Team is responsible for preparation and student advising around Summer Associate recruitment, connecting students with law firms in major cities for placement in their Summer Associate Programs. This includes: 1) group presentations to orient students to the recruitment process, 2) individual strategy meetings, 3) extensive review and revision of student application materials, and 4) preparing students for initial screening interviews through strategy discussions and mock interviews. This also includes administering and executing NUSL’s robust Law Firm On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) program, the single largest hiring program at NUSL.

Under the supervision of the Director, Private Sector, the Assistant Director, Private Sector is responsible for advising our students throughout their co-op experience; supporting student success in the Summer Associate recruitment/OCI process; helping the Private Sector Team to run a successful OCI program; engaging with existing private sector employers in our co-op and OCI programs; conducting employer outreach to develop new relationships; creating and delivering our professional development training, materials, and programs; and running the Private Sector Team’s “Guest Advising Program,” which seeks to connect students to attorneys. The Assistant Director, Private Sector is also responsible for advising 3Ls and recent graduates in their post-graduate job search which involves consistent outreach, advising, and tracking and reporting of employment data.

The Assistant Director, Private sector interacts regularly with the greater law school community as well as greater legal community through attending networking events and participation in professional associations. This position assists in co-op/OCI operations (administrative) tasks as needed. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to attend networking events and support employer engagement activities

Responsibilities:

1.Student Co-op and Career Advising (50%):

• Provide comprehensive co-op and entry-level job advising services to students. This includes advising students on co-op selection and post-graduate job search strategy, reviewing resumes and cover letters, conducting mock interviews, providing guidance to students on co-op, and advising students on short and long-term long co-op and career planning.
• Maintain updated information about hiring trends in the legal private sector.

2. Employer outreach and support (20%):

• Engage with existing private sector employers involved in co-op and OCI programs, fostering relationships and providing support as needed.
• Conduct outreach to develop new employer relationships, expanding opportunities for student placements in Summer Associate Programs and other co-op positions.
• Assist employers with the student placement process and handle issues that may arise during co-op placements.
• Administer and execute the robust OCI program, the single largest hiring program at NUSL.
  

3. Professional Development Programming (20%):

• Create and deliver professional development training, materials, and programs to prepare students for the recruitment process, including assisting in organizing NUSL’s Law Firm On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) program.
• Execute and manage the Private Sector Team’s “Guest Advising Program,” connecting students with attorneys to provide insight into the legal profession.
• Develop and present group presentations to orient students to the recruitment process, helping them prepare for initial screening interviews and career planning.

4. Administrative Support (10%):

• Assist with administrative tasks as needed to support co-op/OCI operations, ensuring smooth and efficient processes.
• Participate in miscellaneous special projects to support the Private Sector Team and the overall operations of the Center for Co-op and Career Development.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge and skills are typically acquired through the completion of a J.D. and at least 3 years of legal experience in the private sector.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong attention to detail, problem solving skills, exceptional organizational skills with the ability to organize time and priorities, including multiple tasks and deadline pressures.
• Ability to attend and participate in occasional night and weekend events to support student and employer engagement activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and a proven ability to work with a diverse group of students, staff, and faculty.
• Must be self-directed, able to make independent decisions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in career counseling, legal recruitment, or professional development.

Documents to submit:

Please submit your CV/Resume, Cover Letter, and list of references in one PDF submission.

Additional Information:

Questions? Contact Cynthia Tow McPherson at c.mcpherson@northeastern.edu

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.