Director of Public Interest Career Development Program, Stanford Law School

Stanford Law School

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

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INTEREST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Application Deadline: November 2, 2026

NOTE: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible.

Stanford Law School Budgeted Salary Range Upon Hire: $115,000 - $130,000

Commitment – Full-time, permanent. Ideal start date: January 2027

Stanford Law School is encouraging flexible work arrangements. This position has the option to work a hybrid work schedule of up to 1 day of telecommuting per week.

Overview

The John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law is central to achieving Stanford Law School’s commitment to educating and training new lawyers who are committed to public service regardless of their career path. The Levin Center is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of programs, events, workshops and classes that promote and support public service in the legal profession. Its activities include leadership and career development for students and alumni, curricular and program planning, work with student groups, as well as external, alumni, and employer relations.

Programs administered by the Levin Center include Alumni Mentor Program, Externship Program, Public Interest Mentor Program, Pro Bono Program, Public Service Awards, Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowships Program, and Summer Public Interest Employment Funding Program.

The Levin Center is a thought leader within the law school about how to advance the public interest and a partner with our students to provide them support, help them build community, and to develop the skills, vision, and resilience needed to succeed as public interest and public service attorneys.

The Levin Center is seeking a full-time Director of Public Interest Career Development Program who will work with students and alumni to explore public interest nonprofit (domestic, foreign and/or international), private public interest firms, and public sector opportunities. This staff member will take the lead in designing and implementing all career development programs for the Levin Center. They will also work with other members of the team to counsel law students and alumni on career planning, job search strategies, and legal markets. This position will report to the Executive Director and will work within the Levin Center team to assist with additional programming, training, and/or workshops. There is also the possibility of this staff member teaching a public interest course, depending on capacity and interest.

Position Description

This position is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position. We hope to fill this position no later than January 2027. Stanford Law School offers a competitive salary and benefits as well as a hybrid work option. This position may require occasional work on evenings and weekends as well as some travel.

To be successful in this role you will have a high level of emotional intelligence and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. If you have experience working with the public interest and/or public sector legal communities, and have previously enjoyed supervising, mentoring, hiring, etc., law students and/or young lawyers, this position is for you.

Public Interest & Public Sector/Governmental Opportunities - Advising & Programming

• Provide direct advice to law school students and alumni on career options as well as job search skills and strategies related to summer or permanent employment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public interest and public sector legal employers, alumni, and faculty.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate related programs, workshops, and panels.

General Responsibilities

• Engage in critical analysis of students’ or others’ concerns to resolve problems, utilizing professional knowledge and expertise.
• Oversee critical processes to ensure the Levin Center mission is being advanced and contribute to development of policy and program content.
• Create and manage relationships with external community and university partners.
• Develop and implement relevant career-related programming and make strategic recommendations for future programs.
• Interpret and implement university and law school policies related to working with and support law students.
• Analyze student needs and design student facing communications.
• Provide leadership related to responsible substantive areas to create content for Levin Center website, newsletter, and other materials.
• Track student and alumni PI/PS job placements.
• Other duties may also be assigned, as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications (See below for further requirements)

• Law Degree
• At least 7 years of experience practicing as a public interest or public sector attorney.
• Experience and familiarity with job opportunities in the fields of international human rights, rule of law in transitional societies, and law and international development.
• Familiarity with government job markets, employers, organizations, post-graduate fellowship funders and programs, and government honors or new attorney hiring programs.
• Experience working in an educational environment with undergraduate or graduate students.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks under pressure, with frequent interruptions.
• Sensitivity to diversity of student body and career interests.
• Sense of humor and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume, a list of three professional references, and a cover letter that includes responses to the following questions:

• Why are you interested in stepping into this kind of position?
• If you could go back in time, what kind of programs or support would you have wanted as a public interest law student?
• Describe your experience working with individuals with identities different from yours and your approach to bridging those differences, including class, race, ethnicity, political opinion, physical or mental ability, gender identity, and religion.
• What has been your best professional experience working as part of a team and why?

Core Duties:

• Manage an area or program in student services, analyze effectiveness, and make final decisions on program eligibility.
• Engage in critical analysis and evaluation of student and program concerns to resolve substantial issues which may span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge.
• Develop and implement programming (virtual, in-person), make strategic recommendations for future programs.
• Interpret and implement university policy related to academic policies; oversee the implementation of policies and practices for a student population or school.
• Analyze and develop report requirements, portals, and student facing communications.
• Evaluate and determine recommendations on technology resources, negotiate with resources options and vendors.
• Manage outreach programs, relationships with external community and university liaisons.
• Provide direct advice to students on a broad range of complex issues including, but not limited to, academic progress, academic program policies, career plans, accessibility, community standards, etc., in order to assist them in making appropriate choices and decisions.
• Apprise students of research, fellowship and scholarship opportunities, make recommendations and may award grants.
• May contribute to preparing and submitting training grants.
• May assist in development efforts to support donor relations, stewardship annual reporting.
• Provide consulting advice to internal and external organizations; act as subject matter expert in a specialized field.
• Oversee key processes, including contribution and direction on policy and program content.
• Manage financial processes and development of budgets.
• May lead teams and projects that impact a significant unit of the university.
• May direct the work of other staff; contribute to development of staff training programs.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills to review and analyze complex information.
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced customer service skills.
• Relevant computer systems/technology experience.
• Understanding of financial transactions.
• Ability to ensure and apply compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.