Job Description

The Assistant Dean for Non-JD Education Programs is part of Vanderbilt Law School and is an essential leader responsible for providing strategic oversight of the program operations, administrative support, and student support for three unique programs offered through the Law School – our one-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) residential program, our online Master of Legal Studies (MLS), and our Legal Studies Minor. This position will work with internal law departments and central VU departments to develop and implement a strategic plan to increase visibility, offerings, teaching faculty, recruitment, enrollment, outreach, and communications. This position may also be assigned to teach one or more courses.

About the LL.M. Program:

Our one-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) program admits a select group of attorneys who come to Vanderbilt Law from around the globe to learn the fundamentals of the American legal system and study alongside J.D. students. Our expansive curriculum allows you to choose courses each semester that advance your career goals. LL.M. students may earn a Law and Business Certificate, focus on intellectual property, international, environmental, or criminal law, or gain exposure to many other areas of legal practice.

About the MLS Program:

Our online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program provides non-lawyers with a deeper understanding of American law and legal systems. Students expand their professional skill sets and learn legal fundamentals from the same world-class faculty of scholars and educators who teach our J.D. students. Created from the ground up by our top-ranked law school faculty, the MLS curriculum emphasizes both foundational legal principles and insights into areas of law that are most relevant to working professionals. This program was designed in partnership with the Office of Learning Innovation. That said, this role will work in close partnership with the Office of Learning Innovation.

About the Minor in Legal Studies:

This program is administered by the Law School, but lives within the Office of Undergraduate Education. We expect to offer this Minor beginning Fall 2024.

While responsibilities may vary by program, this position will include program oversight, administrative leadership, student and academic oversight, admissions and enrollment leadership, course management, and event management. The candidate will report to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Law School.

This position will reside within Vanderbilt Law School. Known for offering a rigorous academic program in a collegial, supportive atmosphere, Vanderbilt Law School attracts law students and faculty seeking a first-rate academic institution that also affords an excellent quality of life. We are a collaborative and engaged community, offering a rigorous, highly personalized legal education and nationwide career placement. Vanderbilt Law combines the advantages of a stimulating university community, top-tier faculty, a small, carefully selected student body, and a vibrant, livable city.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Oversight

The online MLS program and Legal Studies Minor will require dedicated program leadership and oversight, and you will work in collaboration with the Office of Learning Innovation to support the online Master of Legal Studies program. For both programs, programmatic development and oversight will include:

• Independently assessing and communicating critical timelines, deadlines, and important notices to key stakeholders, including Law faculty and students.

• Manage data for accreditation reporting and program evaluation, in partnership with the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment & Accreditation (OAPRAA) on a yearly basis.

• Serve as the main point of contact for scheduling to independently manage courses and assigned instructors.

• Manage programmatic operations budget and annual program budget including expenses, recommendations for scholarships, operating expenses, advertising, recruiting, and programming in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Operations and Finance.

Student Oversight and Academic Support

For the online MLS program, the Legal Studies Minor, and the LL.M. program, you will:

• Serve as the first point of contact for students once enrolled in the program.

• Oversee tracking of student progress and compliance throughout their academic process using reports to monitor academic progress.

• Provide guidance on student financial accounts ensuring accounts are in good standing.

• Manage and provide oversight of student and instructor travel requests.

• Develop and oversee maintenance of an alumni database.

• Collaborate with Career Services counselors to develop and implement programs to support LL.M. students, in close cooperation the Assistant Dean for Career Services.

Recruitment

• This role will lead, oversee and scale recruitment efforts for the online MLS program and Legal Studies Minor, including:

o Develop and execute a strategic recruitment plan including outreach, and communications.

o Develop and execute a digital marketing strategy.

o Participate in some off-campus travel recruitment activities.

o Independently monitor and advise on recruitment pool diversity and timeliness of the recruitment cycle.

o Assess and advise on diversity & inclusion efforts as related to recruiting top tier candidates and ensuring diversity efforts are reached year over year.

• For the online MLS program, this role will play an integral leadership role in:

o Collaborating with the Office of Learning Innovation on current recruitment and marketing efforts as needed.

o Representing the Law School at recruitment events as well as may manage alumni and faculty representation at these events.

Enrollment Management

• For the online MLS program, this role will:

o Partner closely with the Office of Learning Innovation to manage existing enrollment efforts as needed.

o Liaison with the Director of Student Affairs on various issues, including but not limited to: visa and immigration issues, housing, health insurance, family matters, and adjustment to the law school community.

Course Management

• Provide course management oversight for all programs using university systems including Kuali, YES, PeopleSoft, and more.

• Oversee course scheduling and room assignments for the LL.M. program and Legal Studies Program.

• Manage the creation of course schedules for the online MLS program.

• Provide oversight for management of student registrations for all programs.

• Oversee course evaluation submissions and result compilation.

• Provide oversight of administrative support to course instructors.

• Manage LL.M. academic advising in close cooperation with the Director of Student Affairs and the Director of Academic Life.

Event Management

• Oversee core LL.M. events and programs to support international students academically and socially, in collaboration with the Director of Student Affairs to build community among our international students including LL.M. orientation, recruitment events, and social activities.

• Develop student programming for the online MLS program in partnership with the Office of Learning Innovation.

• Lead graduation activities for programs.

Supervisory Relationships

The Assistant Dean for Non-JD Education Programs will eventually have supervisory responsibilities but not at this time. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution is required.

• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited institution is preferred.

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in program management and oversight is required.

• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.

• Experience in student recruitment and admissions is preferred.

• Experience in student support and academic success is preferred.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are preferred.

• Experience in the following systems is preferred (Slate, PeopleSoft, YES, Oracle, Excel, and Adobe).

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to effectively relate to and promote diversity and inclusion is necessary.

• Ability to make independent and sound operational, administrative, and procedural decisions using a high level of discernment is necessary.

• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.

• Ability to provide technical advice and information to staff in area of expertise is necessary.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

#LI-ONSITE

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.