Associate Director of Legal Studies Admissions, Law School

About the role

The Associate Director of Legal Studies Admissions is an integral part of the Legal Studies team in the Law School at Vanderbilt University. This position manages admissions, outreach, and enrollment efforts for the LL.M., M.L.S., and undergraduate Legal Studies minor programs. Reporting directly to the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies, this role is based in Nashville, TN and requires working on campus four days a week.

Responsibilities

• Direct the full LL.M. application, interview, admission, scholarship, and recruitment processes, in close consultation with the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies.
• Develop and implement effective international recruitment, admission, and yield strategies through analysis of foreign application trends in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies.
• Travel and represent the Law School at domestic and international recruitment events as well as coordinate alumni and faculty representation at these events.
• Review and evaluate candidate applications, analyze and interpret foreign transcripts and degree programs, and make application decision recommendations.
• Direct and strategize the LL.M. scholarship award process and annual budget.
• Maintain statistical reports on admissions data and scholarship awards for distribution to the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies and various Law School constituencies.
• Develop and update print and online marketing publications and materials in collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies and the Law Communications & Marketing department.
• Collaborate with the Legal Studies Admissions Coordinator to manage all admissions processes.
• Review and evaluate candidate applications for the M.L.S. program in a timely manner and make application decisions in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies.
• Direct scholarship programming and coordinate with the Legal Studies Program Manager to host information and online prospective student events.
• Collaborate with the Legal Studies Admissions Coordinator to manage all admissions processes.
• Liaise with the University Office of International Student and Scholar Services, University Office of Financial Aid, the University Registrar, and the University English Language Center to administer services to incoming LL.M. students and ensure a smooth transition to the LL.M. program.
• Develop and strategize new exchange initiatives to increase international visibility, such as hosting visiting judges through visiting scholar programs and developing international student exchange agreements with foreign law schools.
• Represent the law school at international outreach events and visits to international universities; present and serve on graduate legal education panels.
• Coordinate international alumni recruiting outreach and admissions interviews for LL.M. applicants, in close cooperation with the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations.
• Act as liaison with international alumni network to enlist support in recruiting and to enhance and develop programs to improve admission yield and student diversity.
• Plan, host, and attend international receptions for alumni, admitted candidates, and prospective students.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is necessary.
• A master’s degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in admissions, the legal field, or relevant industry is necessary.
• Experience in a higher education setting or student services environment is preferred.
• Executive level interpersonal and communication skills are necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Strong organizational, project management skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and university and law school systems are necessary.
• Expert ability and experience managing multiple constituencies and building relationships is necessary.