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Job Description Summary
The Associate Director for Leadership and Character in the Law School is responsible for the student-facing and staff-facing work of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University School of Law. This position will work closely with the Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools, the Director of the Leadership and Character Law Network, and key leaders in the Wake Forest University School of Law.
The Associate Director’s primary responsibility will be to provide programming that supports JD students’ development as leaders of character. This programming will include one-on-one mentorship, peer cohorts, discussion groups, and other informal student support and mentoring. The Associate Director will assess the efficacy of these programs, both for purposes of ongoing improvement and in support of the Program’s larger research goals.
The ideal candidate will have experience in either/both the practice of law and/or legal education. This is a highly relational position working with students and staff but also includes a significant amount of administrative work. The ideal candidate will exhibit a passion for students, a values-driven orientation to the practice of law, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This is a three-year, grant-funded position supported by a multi-year grant from the Kern Family Foundation but will be considered for funding beyond the initial three-year term.
Please submit a resume and cover letter through the application portal by November 16, 2026, for full consideration.
Job Description
Essential Functions:
Student Support
- Provide direct mentoring, counsel, and support for law students on matters related to professional identity, purpose exploration, leadership development, and character formation.
- Provide informal career planning and coaching that integrates reflection on leadership and character as well as the meaning and value of work in the law.
- Assume primary responsibility for advising and facilitating the Leadership and Character in the Law Scholars cohort.
- Assume primary responsibility for advising and co-leading the Leadership and Character Medical-Law Cohort
- Provide mentorship and coaching to select recent law graduates while they study for the bar exam as needed.
- Liaise with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools (“Executive Director”) to select the “Wake Forest Lawyer” Award Winner
Program Design, Assessment, and Execution
- Develop and implement student-facing workshops and information sessions during orientation and throughout the student experience.
- Assess the efficacy of programming in promoting students’ leadership and character development.
- Collaborate with the Office of Student Affairs to integrate character-based programming into the Student Bar Association and Student Organizations’ activities (for example, by administering a mini-grant program that encourages students to self-organize character- and leadership-development oriented events).
- Liaise with the Director of Program Operations for The Professional Schools and affiliated Wake Forest staff to facilitate interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students.
- Assume primary responsibility for facilitating meetings and administration needs of the Integrated Professional Identity Program (IPIP) Working Group.
- Oversee administrative responsibilities related to Law 1.5, Law 2.0, and Law 3.0 (2nd semester, 2nd year, and 3rd year orientation programs).
Staff Support
- Serve as a point of contact for mini-grants and other requests for financial sponsorship from faculty, staff, and law students.
- Conduct staff-focused character development programming (summer reading group, fall social, and spring workshop).
- Develop relationships with staff and faculty that support the work of the Program for Leadership and Character in the law school.
- Provide direct support to the Executive Director and LCLN Director as needed.
- Operates as one of the key representatives in the law school for all matters related to the Program.
Other Functions:
Other Support for the Program for Leadership and Character
- Support planning efforts, along with the Executive Director and Director of the Leadership and Character Law Network, in planning, hosting, and assessing a major national convening of law schools interested in character-based leadership development with support from Program staff, and School of Law staff
- Work alongside the Executive Director, Program staff, and School of Law staff in building the School of Law’s institutional capacity to serve as the hub of a national network of law schools committed to character-based leadership development.
- Assist the Director of the LCLN in creating and disseminating resources to other law schools as needed
- Present, attend, and participate in conferences, workshops, and other events that promotes the work of the Program for Leadership and Character
- May perform additional or other work as assigned.
Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited school is required
- 2+ years of experience in either legal education or legal practice
- Ability to build strong rapport with students, staff, and faculty at the School of Law.
- Familiarity with the wide range of professional trajectories available to lawyers.
- Familiarity with the wide range of civic and pro-bono opportunities available to lawyers (service on boards, elected office, etc.).
- Ability to coach students in identifying key values and goals and in making educational and professional development decisions in alignment with those values and goals.
- Experience with educational program planning, implementation, and/or assessment (in a paid or volunteer capacity).
- Experience with, and sensitivity to, diverse populations and the ability to build inclusive and equitable communities where differences are appreciated and engaged.
- Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.
- Commitment to the mission of the Program for Leadership and Character.
- Willingness to learn more about leadership and character development.
- Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Ability to represent the Program, Law School, and University in a professional manner.
- Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours as needed.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Experience as a professional educator and/or student affairs professional
- Familiarity with various leadership theories.
- Familiarity with adult learning theories.
Accountabilities:
- Reports to the Executive Director.
- Responsible for own work.
Physical Requirements:
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing.
Environmental Conditions:
- No adverse environmental conditions expected.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.
Additional Job Description
Time Type Requirement
Full time
Note to Applicant:
This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.
In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.
Accommodations for Applicants
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.
