Assistant Director of Patent Law Programs

Assistant Director of Patent Law Programs

This position provides program support for the Law School's patent law programs, including the in-person and online Master of Science in Patent Law degree and an LLM in Patent Law degree programs.

The Assistant Director of Patent Law Programs provides overall administrative support for all patent law programs in line with priorities and goals set by the Director of Patent Law Programs. The Assistant Director will most critically provide project management and operational support as the programs expand their modalities to add asynchronous enrollment. They will also serve as a resource to the director, adjunct faculty members, prospective and enrolled students on matters related to scheduling, budgets, records, purchasing, procedures, and course content. The role supports all phases of the program lifecycle, including recruitment, admissions, enrollment management, orientation and onboarding, student services, career development, alumni engagement, and data and records administration.

This position requires a high degree of interaction with faculty and students as well a collaboration with departments across the University. This role reports directly to the Director of Patent Law Programs.

The salary range for this position is between $62,000-$70,000 annually.

Job Description:
Program Development (15%)
Lead project-management activities to support the asynchronous online format for the MSPL and LLM programs, ensuring timelines, communications, and workflow documentation remain aligned with agreements and expectations set by the Director and University partners. Examples may include:

• Develop pieces of the online program format by coordinating meetings, gathering materials, preparing timelines, and maintaining documentation.
• Monitor deliverables associated with the MOU between the Law School and partner units (e.g., ODL, CEI, ATSS) and ensure contributors have the information and resources needed to stay on schedule.
• Create and map out procedural steps and administrative processes necessary for course content alignment across online and in-person modalities in partnership with the Director.
• Manage partnerships with adjunct faculty and instructional design units to support Canvas course production, including organizing materials, tracking revisions, and communicating updates.
• Manage content development activities by circulating templates, gathering draft materials, logging progress, and preparing summaries for the Director.

Program Administration and Operations (30%)
Manage day-to-day operations for the Patent Law Programs, serving as a primary
administrative liaison for faculty, students, and University partners to ensure smooth processes, clear communication, and consistent program support. Examples may include:

• Serve as the primary liaison for adjunct faculty, including responding to questions about curriculum requirements, resources, scheduling, and routine operational matters.
• Create program schedules, classroom assignments, and rosters; execute implementation with the Curriculum Department.
• Manage logistical needs for adjunct faculty, student instructors, and program events, including rooms technology, or any other needs.
• Manage book orders and facilitate copyright permissions for course materials.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with Curriculum, Registrar, IT, HR, and other University units to support ongoing operational needs and resolve issues.
• Initiate and troubleshoot enrollment actions and Registrar-related workflows.
• Manage orientation sessions for adjunct professors and student instructors.
• Maintain and improve, as needed, program documents, orientation materials, handbooks, and course evaluations.
• Manage Canvas site setup and updates in coordination with instructional support units.

Recruitment, Outreach, Marketing and Enrollment (25%)
Execute recruitment, outreach, marketing, and enrollment operations across in-person and online pathways, ensuring prospective students experience clear communication, timely
processing, and coordinated engagement with University resources. Examples may include:

• Represent the program at recruitment fairs, career events, and expos; engaging prospective students and external partners.
• Manage recruitment and inquiry pipelines; managing timely communications with prospective applicants.
• Direct admissions workflows in Slate and Salesforce, including preparing application files, scheduling interviews, and supporting review processes.
• Collaborate with student-facing University departments-including ISSS, the Disability Resource Center, and Graduate Programs-to support compliance and appropriate
  applicant guidance.
• Update digital recruitment assets in coordination with Law School Communications and University marketing teams.
• Develop communication strategies and manage program social media activity (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram) and scheduling content through tools such as Hootsuite.
• Liaise with Student Affairs, Advancement, and students on scholarship-related communications and administrative processing.
• Manage outreach efforts to employers, alumni, and pipeline partners as directed by the Director.

Student and Alumni (10%)
Evaluate and develop administrative processes that enhance the student experience and sustain alumni engagement across in-person and online program pathways. Examples may
include:

• Develop and execute orientation and onboarding logistics for in-person and online cohorts, including communications and scheduling.
• Respond to student inquiries, providing procedural guidance, and routing students to University resources such as ISSS, Graduate Programs, and the Disability Resource
  Center.
• Develop communication strategies and manage their execution for student success initiatives n with relevant offices.
• Manage alumni communication, event planning, outreach activities, and early-career engagement efforts.
• Establish and maintain materials, templates, and communication assets for students and alumni.

Data, Systems, and Records (10%)
Maintain accurate program data and records across University systems to support routine operations, enrollment processes, and reporting requirements. Examples may include:

• Manage data needs such as enrollment rosters, GPAS updates, and student file maintenance.
• Update academic progress records and ensure accuracy in official systems of record.
• Create reports and maintain dashboards in Slate, Salesforce, PeopleSoft, Destiny One, and Canvas.
• Develop data summaries for internal review, compliance checks, and operational decision-making.
• Maintain organized digital files and ensure appropriate stewardship of confidential student information.

Financial Management (10%)
Manage financial tasks and operational processes for the programs' ongoing activities and required University procedures. Examples may include:

• Track expenditures and maintain logs of commitments and operational spending.
• Reconcile expenses and prepare summaries for the Director's review.
• Create processes and execute payments, contracts, and invoices for adjunct faculty, student instructors, SMEs, and external vendors.
• Enter scholarship awards and tuition adjustments in PeopleSoft and liaise with Finance, as needed.
• Establish programming budgets with the Program Director; monitor and approve expenditures.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years.
• Experience in managing multiple projects at the same time.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications; ability to quickly learn new technology and systems.
• Proven ability to provide outstanding customer service in a high-traffic, public-facing position.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Proven ability to take the initiative to solve problems independently and proactively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and anticipate needs.

Recognized as one of the country's preeminent public law schools, the University of Minnesota Law School is a leader in preparing students to solve our time's complex social, economic, and business issues. Our exceptional faculty, innovative curriculum, and unmatched clinical and experiential learning opportunities equip students for the demands of the 21st century. We are distinguished by a rare collegial culture emphasizing teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and persuasion. The Law School draws a talented, diverse student body from every part of the United States and numerous countries.

About Patent Law Programs
Since 2014, the Law School has offered both a Master of Science in Patent Law degree and an LLM in Patent Law degree. These one-year programs, led by the Director of Patent Law
Programs, are aimed at students with scientific and technical backgrounds and advanced career opportunities in the booming area of patent law. Beginning in Fall 2027, both programs will expand to include online-only degree programs, offering an asynchronous learning experience to enrolled students.

Pay Range: $62,000 - $70,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).