Legal Studies Program Manager, Law School

The Legal Studies Program Manager is part of the Legal Studies team in the Law School at Vanderbilt University. This position is responsible for general legal studies administration including course and degree tracking, special events, and purchasing and expense management; Undergraduate Legal Studies Minor (ULAW) program management, information session hosting, liaising with the Career Advancement and Engagement (CAE) Pre-Law Advisor as well as teaching faculty and Student Access Office for exam accommodation management; Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program administration including registration, academic advising, degree audits, liaising with students/CAE/VU Athletics, and managing program content updates for the MLS website; and, Master of Law (LL.M.) advising on academics, limited career guidance, and liaising with the Law School’s Career Services office.

The Legal Studies team consists of three professionals and one support staff responsible for administration of the non-J.D. degree programs at Vanderbilt Law School including the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, the Undergraduate Legal Studies Minor (ULAW), and Master of Law (LL.M.). The online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program from Vanderbilt Law School provides non-lawyers with a deeper understanding of American law and legal systems. Created from the ground up by Vanderbilt’s 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. The Undergraduate Minor in Legal Studies, designed and taught by Vanderbilt Law faculty, offers a comprehensive introduction to law for Vanderbilt undergraduate students. Created for international students and lawyers, the one-year LL.M. program deepens students’ knowledge of the U.S. legal system.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
General Legal Studies responsibilities
• Work with the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies to ensure course and degree requirements are up to date and accurate within the University Registrar’s records.
• Manage coordination of Legal Studies special events, including commencement portions for the MLS and LL.M. programs, guest speakers coordination, event logistics, and communications and event promotion.
• Serve as a One Card holder responsible for purchasing and expenses. Manage reimbursements for guest speakers or the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies as needed.

Undergraduate Legal Studies Minor (ULAW)
• Serve as a liaison between the Legal Studies minor and the CAE’s Pre-Law Advisor, partnering on programming serving students in the minor and students interested in applying to law school.
• Manage hosting of Legal Studies information sessions throughout the academic year, generating engagement among students interested in the minor.
• Manage student questions and provide academic advising to students in the minor.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty teaching in the minor and the Student Access office for exam accommodations.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
• Provide 1:1 registration and academic advising for students in the program, including assisting with understanding degree requirements and degree audits.
• Serve as a liaison between students and the Career Advancement and Engagement (CAE) office.
• Serve as a liaison between Legal Studies and Vanderbilt Athletics to ensure enrollment and course availability to student-athletes.
• Provide academic program updates and manage content updates for the Law Communications team to keep the MLS website accurate.

Master of Law (LL.M.)
• Provide group academic advising and general registration advice for entering LL.M. students, in partnership with the Office of Academic Life.
• Provide limited career advising and guidance, in partnership with the VLS Career Services Office. The Program Manager will provide 1:1 career counseling appointment for students and liaise with the Career Services Office to ensure LL.M. invitation and inclusion in VLS-wide career programming events.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies.

Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree is necessary. A master’s degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience is necessary.
• Experience in a higher education setting and/or managing academic programs is preferred.
• Experience managing budget and financial reporting is necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple programs and project deadlines and details are necessary.
• The ability to independently solve problems and use analytical skills is necessary.
• The ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, and staff is necessary.
• The ability to adapt to changing priorities is necessary.