Assistant Director of First Year Experience
Villanova University
Posting Details
Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum. Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more
The Assistant Director of First Year Experience is an advocate for the Office’s mission to offer support, resources, and programming to our first-year students and transfers while enhancing class unity. The Assistant Director will also facilitate bridging students’ first year experience to their second year at Villanova specifically focusing on active engagement with the sophomore year learning communities.
This Assistant Director position includes three primary elements:1. Working with campus partners such as the Provost’s Office and Residence Life to assist with the transition of students from their first to their second year, including an introduction of Sophomore opportunities unique to the Cabrini Campus and supporting involvement with the sophomore year leadership and learning communities housed at the Cabrini campus.2. Assisting with efforts of the department and the Associate Director in the planning and implementation of all elements of the New Student Orientation program with a concentration on the Transfer Student Orientation Program and additional support through their first year at Villanova.3. Supporting the Senior Director in assisting with planning of campus initiatives for first-year students including working with other departments in Student Life to support first-year living-learning communities (Communitas), student leadership development, personal growth opportunities, and social events for the entire community.
Due to the nature of the position, the Assistant Director should expect to work occasional nights and weekends during the academic year and significantly during the month of August.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values. Duties and Responsibilities: Focus on connecting with rising sophomores, serving as a bridge for students as they navigate from their first to the second year at Villanova. This will include both (a) working with campus partners on FY transitions, including connections with the Cabrini Campus that will house half the sophomore class including our Sophomore Learning Communities, and (b) involvement with the sophomore learning communities housed at the Cabrini campus as the communities develop. Support the New Student Orientation Program by focusing on leadership development opportunities throughout training for Orientation Staff Members and offering personal growth opportunities for orientation staff and new students, which will include collaborating on programming to support Transfers/other unique populations. (With Orientation, evening and weekend time throughout August will be required.) Assist the Senior Director in working with Communitas, Villanova’s first-year learning communities. The Assistant Director will strengthen the Communitas experience utilizing the partnership with Residence Life, and contributing to the Student Facilitator training, semester touchpoints, and celebratory events. Create strong partnerships across Student Life and the academic areas to collaborate on programming and community-centered initiatives, such as enhanced residential experiences; assistance for students in need of community connection; and support for students who may be facing unique challenges while on campus. This opportunity will focus on opportunities serving first and second year students as they build their experience at Villanova. Collaborate on new or existing initiatives for all students, including supporting the Division’s efforts around food insecurity, representing the office on various campus planning committees including Commencement, Family Weekend, and other campus-wide initiatives (which may include required occasional weekend responsibilities per academic calendar). Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Formal Education Master’s degree in related field.
Work Experience1-3 years of experience working directly with students in higher education.
Work Skills Excellent communication, both oral and written, as well as within social media platforms. Experience in planning events, running meetings and strong organizational skills. Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. Ability to build consensus and work as a team towards a common goal.
Specific Job Knowledge An understanding and appreciation of Student Development Theory; commitment to the mission of Catholic higher education and an understanding of the accompanying values.
Equipment KnowledgeKnowledge of general office equipment, including personal computers, word processing, Excel, Office 365 and/or other spreadsheet programs. Preferred Qualifications: Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: Due to the nature of the position, the Assistant Director should expect to work occasional nights and weekends during the academic year and significantly during the month of August. Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 02/04/2026 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: This position falls within salaried grade 13 and the range for this position is $51,000-63,800. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity. Salary Band: 13 Job Classification: exempt References Needed References Needed Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3 Supplemental Questions
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Posting Details (Default Section) Posting Number: 20260016S Position Title: Assistant Director of First Year Experience Position Type: Staff Location: Villanova, PA Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week Department: 320-VP for Student Life Position Summary: Why work at Villanova?Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum. Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more
The Assistant Director of First Year Experience is an advocate for the Office’s mission to offer support, resources, and programming to our first-year students and transfers while enhancing class unity. The Assistant Director will also facilitate bridging students’ first year experience to their second year at Villanova specifically focusing on active engagement with the sophomore year learning communities.
This Assistant Director position includes three primary elements:1. Working with campus partners such as the Provost’s Office and Residence Life to assist with the transition of students from their first to their second year, including an introduction of Sophomore opportunities unique to the Cabrini Campus and supporting involvement with the sophomore year leadership and learning communities housed at the Cabrini campus.2. Assisting with efforts of the department and the Associate Director in the planning and implementation of all elements of the New Student Orientation program with a concentration on the Transfer Student Orientation Program and additional support through their first year at Villanova.3. Supporting the Senior Director in assisting with planning of campus initiatives for first-year students including working with other departments in Student Life to support first-year living-learning communities (Communitas), student leadership development, personal growth opportunities, and social events for the entire community.
Due to the nature of the position, the Assistant Director should expect to work occasional nights and weekends during the academic year and significantly during the month of August.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values. Duties and Responsibilities: Focus on connecting with rising sophomores, serving as a bridge for students as they navigate from their first to the second year at Villanova. This will include both (a) working with campus partners on FY transitions, including connections with the Cabrini Campus that will house half the sophomore class including our Sophomore Learning Communities, and (b) involvement with the sophomore learning communities housed at the Cabrini campus as the communities develop. Support the New Student Orientation Program by focusing on leadership development opportunities throughout training for Orientation Staff Members and offering personal growth opportunities for orientation staff and new students, which will include collaborating on programming to support Transfers/other unique populations. (With Orientation, evening and weekend time throughout August will be required.) Assist the Senior Director in working with Communitas, Villanova’s first-year learning communities. The Assistant Director will strengthen the Communitas experience utilizing the partnership with Residence Life, and contributing to the Student Facilitator training, semester touchpoints, and celebratory events. Create strong partnerships across Student Life and the academic areas to collaborate on programming and community-centered initiatives, such as enhanced residential experiences; assistance for students in need of community connection; and support for students who may be facing unique challenges while on campus. This opportunity will focus on opportunities serving first and second year students as they build their experience at Villanova. Collaborate on new or existing initiatives for all students, including supporting the Division’s efforts around food insecurity, representing the office on various campus planning committees including Commencement, Family Weekend, and other campus-wide initiatives (which may include required occasional weekend responsibilities per academic calendar). Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Formal Education Master’s degree in related field.
Work Experience1-3 years of experience working directly with students in higher education.
Work Skills Excellent communication, both oral and written, as well as within social media platforms. Experience in planning events, running meetings and strong organizational skills. Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. Ability to build consensus and work as a team towards a common goal.
Specific Job Knowledge An understanding and appreciation of Student Development Theory; commitment to the mission of Catholic higher education and an understanding of the accompanying values.
Equipment KnowledgeKnowledge of general office equipment, including personal computers, word processing, Excel, Office 365 and/or other spreadsheet programs. Preferred Qualifications: Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: Due to the nature of the position, the Assistant Director should expect to work occasional nights and weekends during the academic year and significantly during the month of August. Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 02/04/2026 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: This position falls within salaried grade 13 and the range for this position is $51,000-63,800. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity. Salary Band: 13 Job Classification: exempt References Needed References Needed Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3 Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* How did you first hear of this employment opportunity? Indeed.com Higheredjobs.com LinkedIn Glassdoor Chronicle Vitae Academic Keys PA CareerLink/JobGateway Professional Affiliation/Trade Website Diversity Association/Publication Website Advertisement in Academic or Professional Publication Referred by a current employee Referred by a friend, family member, or former employee Heard about it at a conference or career fair Browsing the Villanova website Cabrini University employee Other * If your answer to the above question is "Other", please specify the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A.(Open Ended Question)
Do you possess an advanced degree? No Response Yes Yes - in Business No Do you have 1-3 years of experience working with students in a higher education setting?(Open Ended Question)
Are you able to work 100% on campus with no remote work for this role?(Open Ended Question)
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