Senior Director, International Legal Studies

Job Description

The Senior Director of International Legal Studies is a key member of the leadership team for the Graduate Program and International Legal Studies with primary responsibility for conceptualizing, developing, promoting, and overseeing internationally-focused activities and programs for Harvard Law School.

As Senior Director of International Legal Studies, you will:

• Oversee all aspects of the department’s international programs and activities, including official student and faculty exchange programs with designated foreign law schools, semester abroad, the Cambridge JD/LLM program, and key grant programs.
• Monitor international program trends and outcomes, and manage grant parameters, application and selection processes, funding, and reporting; set or advise on policy where appropriate.
• Chair HLS International Travel Committee; develop and manage international travel safety protocols for students, staff, and other members of the HLS community traveling abroad.
• Represent HLS in implementation of the University’s travel policies in consultation with the University’s Senior Assistant Provost for International Affairs and with Harvard University Global Support Services; serve as HLS delegate to University-wide International Emergency Management Team and participate on committees regarding international services.
• In partnership with Assistant Dean, establish strategic goals, promote and support student and alumni work in international topics and settings and develop and oversee international outreach, communication strategy, and development activities.
• Coordinate with senior department leadership on key Graduate Program initiatives, including annual Orientation programs, LLM admissions, and other key events.
• Review, evaluate, and make recommendations on a high volume of LLM applications, including assessing substantive legal essays for cogency.
• Plan and oversee annual ILS budget; coordinate with Assistant Dean on departmental budget matters.
• Work with Assistant Dean and Vice Dean to execute campus visits by distinguished foreign scholars and jurists.
• Perform other duties and tasks as needed.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 8 or more years of related experience (law practice or experience in higher education/academia). Candidates holding a JD or equivalent law degree will be considered with 5 or more years’ related experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people with:

• Understanding of international legal systems.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and diplomacy. Must be self-directed and able to manage workflow in deadline-driven environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Demonstrated background and achievement in an internationally-focused professional and/or educational setting.
• The ability to respond with flexibility and imagination to unanticipated situations.
• Dedication to ensuring an excellent student experience and to promoting the international aspects of a high-quality legal education.
• Deep appreciation for working with international students and stakeholders and a wide variety of constituent groups.
• The desire to build and foster an internal culture of positive collegiality