The (heavily revised) listing to fill my old job was just posted this week . . . .
Primary responsibilities. The person in this position will work independently to manage the programs and projects that fulfill the goals of the Shidler Center.
1. Manage finances and seek new funding sources
2. Oversee administration
3. Direct Shidler Center outreach programs to members of the legal and business communities and academic communities
4. Work with student editors of electronic journal
5. Manage Relations with Shidler Center Advisory Board; annual Gala
6. Manage relations with students and faculty
7. Oversee Shidler Center marketing and public relations
I’m omitted the detail for each numbered item, but I’m struck by how much “managing”, “overseeing” and “directing” there is. I wonder who will actually do all the *work* that needs to be managed, overseen, and directed? Who is going to do the rewriting of letters that no one could be bothered to run through spell-check or even read for clarity? Who is going to read through all the email and write up meeting agendas for weekly staff meetings that no one will adhere to anyway? Who is going to try repeatedly and unsuccessfully to get the administration of this center off of yellow legal pads to something that pays lip service to “law, commerce and technology?” And the description of the position as one where someone will “work independently” is laughable: the successful candidate will be interrupted and harried at every turn by two academics who are unsuited for anything else.
It’s interesting that the very idea of reclassifying/re-defining the position as professional staff or improving the compensation was well nigh impossible not too long ago . . . .
Bah, good luck and good riddance.
Reference: PC24471
Department: School of Law, Shidler Center for Law, Commerce & Technology
Date Available: 12/1/2003
Open until filled.
Location: UW Seattle Campus
General Duties/Description:
The Shidler Center for Law, Commerce & Technology focuses on the intersection of law and business innovation by examining the impact on domestic and global markets of changes in law and technology.
The Shidler Center currently consists of faculty and students from the Law School as well as an active external advisory board and external committees helping with specific projects. The Center offers various types of educational and outreach programs to members of the legal and business communities in Washington State and nationally; edits and produces a quarterly journal for legal practitioners; and is developing longer-term research programs for which it will seek external funding.
Position Purpose: The person in this position manages the finances of the Center; markets and produces programs provided to academics, attorneys and the public; manages the quarterly journal and other publications; manages student programs such as externships; manages relationships with external constituencies such as board members, committee members, and donors; manages relationships with internal constituencies such as Law School and University administration; develops academic grant proposals; hires, trains, and supervises temporary and student workers; and manages marketing and communications including Web content and other media. Because many of these activities will be performed by other law school or university staff, the Shidler Center program manager will often be exercising supervisory authority. The person in this position will be in regular communication with Law School faculty; Law School staff; student journal staff and other students; University staff; and external constituents (such as donors, advisory board members, and members of the legal and business communities). In addition, the person in this position often will serve as the Center’s primary representative in the management of these relationships.
The program manager will have authority to set policy regarding administration of programs and administration, subject to the approval of the faculty directors. This will include authority to allocate more than half of the annual budget of the Shidler Center, which in 2003-2004 is expected to be around $300,000.
Primary responsibilities. The person in this position will work independently to manage the programs and projects that fulfill the goals of the Shidler Center.
1. Manage finances and seek new funding sources
* Oversee the annual budget, including preparation of annual financial statements and tracking of income and expenses on ongoing basis;
* Identify new funding sources, including grants; and
* Help write funding proposals
2. Oversee administration
* Track ongoing projects to ensure deadlines are met and achievement of project milestones are recorded;
* Coordinate with faculty secretaries to insure filing, correspondence and other administrative matters are handled; and
* Hire, train and supervise temporary and student workers as needed.
3. Direct Shidler Center outreach programs to members of the legal and business communities and academic communities
* Consult with faculty directors and with external planning committees to develop program contents and organize an annual calendar for Shidler outreach events;
* Develop and execute marketing for outreach programs, including oversight of design and distribution of promotional materials; and
* Manage outreach events, including Web-based registration; processing of finances; and coordination with UW staff and presenters.
4. Work with student editors of electronic journal
* Oversee work of student editors who supervise other students working on journal to insure that production schedules are maintained;
* Oversee electronic publication and distribution of completed issues;
* Coordinate work of editorial board in providing students with feedback;
* Oversee organization by existing student editors of annual orientation for new staff members; and
* Oversee budgeting process for journal.
5. Manage Relations with Shidler Center Advisory Board; annual Gala
* Schedule and organize two meetings (fall and spring) with Shidler Advisory Board; including selection of venue; taking minutes; preparing the agenda and other materials for board review; maintaining the advisory board contact list and correspondence; and
* Organize annual awards program and gala dinner, including producing and distributing invitations; monitoring RSVPs; procuring awards; and notifying honorees.
6. Manage relations with students and faculty
* Liaise with affiliate professors teaching Shidler academic courses and maintain records of Shidler academic courses offered;
* Administer annual Shidler Faculty Development Grant and Public Interest Law Association Grant programs;
* Administer student programs including student externships; moot court and PILA grant programs; and
* Coordinate with LLM director on joint projects.
7. Oversee Shidler Center marketing and public relations
* Prepare annual report and marketing brochure for distribution to donors and other external constituents;
* Work with Law School IT staff to manage Web site contents; and
* Work with Law School Development Staff and UW Publications to develop and distribute marketing materials.
Requirements:
A Bachelors degree plus a minimum of four years’ work experience. Ability to manage projects independently with minimal supervision and to develop effective procedures for program development, management and maintenance. Strong communication and writing skills. Proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
Equivalent education/experience may substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.