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The University of Wisconsin approach to legal education has been characterized by what we call “law in action.” This means different things to different members of our community. To some, it means scholarship that focuses on how law affects individuals in the real world. To others, it means experiential learning opportunities that provide for hands-on representation of live clients in real-life disputes. Still others might use the concept to encourage students in a large class to think together about how they would counsel a client with a particular problem in light of the applicable legal rule. What all of these approaches have in common is their focus on the way that law affects people and their communities. Our focus on law in action helps our students think about these issues and learn to be more effective and proactive advocates, counselors and advisers.

Our rich "Law in Action" tradition is an important part of who we are and it will remain an important part of who we become. It is still developing after all these years, empowering our graduates to navigate an increasingly complex, competitive, and challenging world. If you'd like to learn more about our legal tradition, the articles listed below will give you a place to start.

The University of Wisconsin Law School is recruiting an Associate Dean for External Relations.

The Associate Dean for External Relations will lead the Law School's External Relations enterprise which includes, but is not limited to Alumni Affairs, Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations. This is a new position that will be responsible for creating the umbrella structure under which all these activities will be synthesized and articulated with a consistent message. The Associate Dean is a member of the Dean's Leadership Team and will be chiefly responsibile for maximizing the school's visibility.

The Associate Dean will provide leadership for planning, coordination, and implementation of an effective marketing and communications outreach strategy designed to support the Law School's strategic priorities, enhance the public image of the Law School, enhance the school's relationship with the state bar, promote Law School programs and services, support and strengthen alumni relations and development efforts and aid in the recruitment of high quality faculty, staff and students. Direct reports include the Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs, the Director of Event Planning, and the Director of Web and New Media.

The Associate Dean will work closely with the UW Foundation, the WAA (Wisconsin Alumni Association), the Law School Board of Visitors, the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid and the Assistant Dean for Career Services.

25% - Public Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing and Branding -

• Responsible for the outside face of the Law School.
• Develop and implement a marketing plan for the school, develop a recognizable brand, conduct market research and analysis and generate ideas and recommendations for the Dean.
• Develop metrics for measuring performance.

25% - External Communications, including Law School Website and New Media -

• Responsible for oversight of all external communications, print, electronic and web optimization.
• Responsible for ensuring consistent messaging and format, and ensuring content consistent with the messaging and branding effort.

20% - Alumni Affairs and Development -

• Responsible for seamless coordination and communications and partnering between Alumni Affairs, Development, Foundation and Wisconsin Alumni Association.
• Requires close working relationships with UWF Development Officer and Assistant Dean of Alumni Affairs.

10% - Create and implement processes, best practices and guidelines for External Relations department, starting with an institutional strategy for print and electronic media inventory.

10% - Media Relations -

• Serve as point person for all media relations.
• Work with faculty, staff and students to identify and publicize high impact newsworthy activities.
• Develop and expand media contacts.
• Coordinate all television, radio, newpaper, magazine and electronic releases, stories and appearances.
• Provide and/or facilitate training about best practices for interacting with the media.
• Liaison between Law School and University Communications.
• Write communication pieces for Dean.

10% - Internal Communications -

• Responsible for developing and implementing an internal communications strategy for the Law School.

Complete details regarding the position may be accessed at http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/pvl/pv_072285.html.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or other graduate work in related area such as marketing, communications or public relations strongly preferred; J.D degree also preferred.
• At least seven years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, alumni relations, development, or similar capacity dealing with a variety of external constituencies with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Candidate must have superior interpersonal, organizational, management, writing, editing, supervisory, strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Experience in managing and coordinating staff, projects, boards, groups and volunteers is desirable.
• Knowledge of web-based and other social media highly desirable.

Minimum: $72,000 ANNUAL (12 months). Depending on qualifications.

Please send a cover letter serving as a letter of interest and describing your skill match for the position, a resume, and writing/publication sample to:

Mail: Theresa Evans, Executive Assistant to the Dean, UW Law School, 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53704.

Unless another application procedure has been specified above, please send resume and cover letter referring to Position Vacancy Listing #72285 to:

Mail: Theresa Evans, 975 Bascom Mall, Room 5211, Madison, WI 53706-1399

Email: tmevans2@wisc.edu with "Associate Dean for External Relations - BSN" in the subject line.

Phone: 608-890-1091