<p>Posting Number: 20254364S 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: 380-Student Orientation Position Summary:</p> <p>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 while enhancing class unity. This position's primary responsibility is to coordinate the year-round efforts to plan and implement the New Student Orientation Program. These responsibilities include selection of student leadership staff and weekly meetings with the Steering Committee (15 students); planning the New Student Orientation program in all its facets during the spring and summer; oversight and organization of the student staff selection process during the Spring semester; and working intensely in August with staff training and the actual 4-day New Student Orientation program130 student staff members throughout August to execute the 4-day Orientation program immediately before fall classes begin. The Assistant Director also supports the Director in the planning of campus initiatives for first-year students, including working with other departments in Student Life to support our living-learning communities (Communitas), student leadership programming and development, personal growth opportunities, and social events.</p> <p>Due to the nature of the Orientation program, the Assistant Director should expect to work nights and weekends throughout the entire month of August, as well as occasional nights and weekends during the academic year.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Duties and Responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Coordinate New Student Orientation in its entirety, including:</p> </li><li> <p>Continue to support and develop the Orientation Program by planning and strategic decisions to further the best interests of Villanova's mission and our community through new initiatives and programmatic development that positively affect our new students including incoming transfer students and the family experience.</p> </li><li> <p>Represent the New Student Orientation Program to both on- and off- campus partners, coordinating meetings to assess needs and address any changes or concerns year to year.</p> </li><li> <p>Recruitment and Selection of the 15-student Steering Committee in the Fall Semester.</p> </li><li> <p>Weekly meetings with the Steering Committee throughout the Spring Semester (usually two hours/week in the evening).</p> </li><li> <p>Oversee the Recruitment and Selection of the 110+ Student Staff Members throughout our Spring semester, organizing a multi-level process including group interviews and individual interview teams for the three different Orientation Staff Member (OSM) roles.</p> </li><li> <p>Responsible for all communication to students and families including a weekly newsletter (VU 101) and Orientation publications, in collaboration with the Senior Director and other campus partners.</p> </li><li> <p>Focus on leadership development opportunities throughout the 8-day Orientation Staff Member Training and offer personal growth opportunities through their role as an OSM beyond training.</p> </li><li> <p>Provide evening and weekend support of staff and the program year-round and especially in August.</p> </li><li> <p>Create strong partnerships with the Office of Residence Life and the Dean of Students; serve as the office's liaison to these departments including the student and professional staff; Collaborate on programming and community-centered initiatives; enhance residential experience with value-added components; provide assistance to first-year students (and others, as appropriate) in need of community connection while navigating the transition to Villanova; support students who may be facing unique challenges while on campus.</p> </li><li> <p>Support the Senior Director in working with Communitas, Villanova's 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.</p> </li><li> <p>Support the Senior Director around new or existing initiatives for all students, including supporting theDivision's efforts around food insecurity, representing the office on various campus planning committees including Commencement, Family Weekend, and other campus-wide initiatives (would include occasional weekend responsibilities per academic calendar).</p> </li><li> <p>Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.</p> </li></ul> <p>Minimum Qualifications:</p> <p>Formal Edcuation</p> <ul> <li>Master's degree in related field. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Work Experience</p> <ul> <li>3-5 years of experience working directly with students in higher education. </li><li>Excellent communication, both oral and written, as well as within social media platforms. </li><li>Experience in planning events, running meetings and strong organizational skills. </li><li>Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. </li><li>Ability to build consensus and work as a team towards a common goal. </li><li>An understanding and appreciation of Student Development Theory; commitment to the mission of Catholic higher education and an understanding of the accompanying values. </li><li>Knowledge of general office equipment, including personal computers, word processing, Excel, Office 365 and/or other spreadsheet programs. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications: Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:</p> <p>Evening and weekend work required.</p> <p>Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 05/08/2025 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information:</p> <p>Commensurate with experience.</p> <p>Salary Band: 13 Job Classification: exempt</p> <p>References Needed</p> <p>References Needed</p> <p>Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3</p>