Director of Professional Skills Support

Department: Antonin Scalia Law School

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The School of Law has two fundamental missions. First, it prepares students to practice law in a broad range of public and private sector organizations with the Commonwealth and around the country. Second, it produces academic scholarship that expands society's understanding of law and legal institutions with a special focus on using economic tools and methods to do so.

About the Position:

The Director of Professional Skills Support reports to the Assistant Dean for Legal Skills and collaborates with the Associate Dean for Professional Development along with Bar Support, Student Academic Services, Career Services, and LRWA teams to develop and deliver to JD students and graduates instruction, counseling, and other services related to developing legal skills, obtaining professional certifications, and succeeding in the legal profession.

Responsibilities:

Administration and Counseling:

• Supports the Assistant Dean of Legal Skills and the Associate Dean for Professional Development in the administration of the legal skills program and professional development offerings to ensure compliance with ABA requirements;
• Works closely with the Director of Bar Support to align legal skills curriculum and counseling efforts with NextGen Bar exam requirements, including ensuring adequate program offerings in negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, and client counseling;
• Provides counseling to students and graduates regarding the bar exam in collaboration with the Director of Bar Support; and
• Collaborates with Career Services and Academic Support teams to counsel students in professional identity development, civil discourse, ethical conduct, professional skill acquisition, and to support students pursuing judicial clerkships and other government service positions.

Curriculum Design and Teaching:

• Creates and refines professional legal skills curriculum in coordination with the Associate Dean for Professional Development, the Assistant Dean for Legal Skills, the Director of Bar Support, and the Director of Student Academic Affairs;
• Teaches Legal Fundamentals or other NextGen bar-related legal skills or writing courses as needed;
• Provides support to faculty in integrating legal skills training into doctrinal courses; and
• Stays up to date on legal skills requirements from ABA and state bars, and make recommendations to faculty and senior administrators regarding law school curriculum related to legal skills.

Tracking and Data Analysis: 

• Supports the Assistant Dean for Legal Skills with tracking and analysis of legal skill development needs and student success;
• Supports the Director of Bar Support and Assistant Dean for Legal Skills in tracking and analyzing bar exam preparation and results; and
• Provides reports to senior staff, faculty, and accreditors related to legal skills and professional development.

 Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• J.D. degree required;
• Experience running organizational strategic planning efforts;
• Experience developing and executing professional legal education classes;
• Experience as a judicial clerk;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and public speaking skills;
• Ability to assess and track student legal skills and professional development; and
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a practicing lawyer litigating in state and federal courts;
• Knowledge of educational theories and effective teaching styles;
• Ability to perform research and statistical analysis; and
• Knowledge of NextGen Bar content and requirements.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Director of Professional Skills Support at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date:  July 23, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  August 5, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes