Posting Number:

20254426S

Position Title:

Director, Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration

Position Type:

Staff

Location:

Villanova, PA

Recruitment Type:

Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule:

full-time/12-months

Avg Hours Week

Department:

100-Provost

Position Summary:

The Director of the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration (“the Institute”) is a strategic leader who is responsible for envisioning, developing, and implementing distinctive programs impacting teaching, scholarship, student engagement, advocacy and service for and about migrants and refugees. The Director’s primary charge is to establish the Institute as a national leader on migration and refugees. The Director collaborates with faculty and staff across the university and with external partners to support and offer the Institute’s programs. The Director works in partnership with the Faculty Director of the Institute to support and expand existing programs and to identify strategic opportunities to add programs.

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.

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:

Institute Operations

Effectively coordinate strategic planning with community and university stakeholders and manage the operations of the Institute including operational planning, developing and administering the budget, preparing annual reports, funding reports, and plans for additional programming, co-supervising the Associate Director, managing Institute staff, and meeting regularly with the Senior Vice Provost for Academics.
Envision, develop, implement, and assess distinctive Institute programs and initiatives. Oversee and manage a comprehensive program portfolio that fosters opportunities across and between the colleges and disciplines.
Be available to serve on university task forces and ad hoc committees

Internal Villanova-wide Collaboration

Collaborate with and marshal the resources and talents of Villanova University faculty, staff, and students to advance migration and refugee related research, teaching, community engagement, and service activities and foster university-wide partnerships as more faculty, staff and students are engaged and more programs and activities are implemented. As a university Institute, work to engage stakeholders across colleges and other units.
Develop metrics to measure and assess the Institute’s impact within Villanova University and external communities.
Develop and coordinate with University Advancement and the Faculty Director efforts to secure funding to support research, teaching and service sponsored by the Institute.
Consult with University Communication and Marketing regarding media responses/communications

External Collaboration/Events

Represent the Institute at industry and academic conferences and events.
Convene and co-sponsor events, such as hosting visiting scholars, lectures, panel discussions, student programs, and annual conferences; some international travel may be required
Build and partner with an Advisory Council. Convene annual Council meetings and keep Council apprised of Institute activities and impact.
Build and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
Develop and implement communication, marketing and media strategies to garner visibility and contribute to the growing reputation of the Institute. Design and maintain an Institute newsletter and social media presence to communicate with the Institute’s campus-wide and community partners and stakeholders.
Partner with community organizations and the private sector to support migrants and refugees in programming, service projects, scholarship and other activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Formal Education

Bachelor’s degree is required.

Minimum Work Experience

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in roles requiring managing budgets, implementing programs, and collaborating with partners.
Experience in immigration, refugee and/or human rights related research, teaching, direct services, advocacy, law, social work, policy development, consulting, non-profit leadership, and/or government contexts required.

Job-Specific Knowledge

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work with and gain the respect, and confidence of faculty, alumni, students, immigration practitioners, and administrators. Excellent organizational and collaborative management skills and ability to effectively manage multiple projects and team members in a fast-paced environment. Must be an energetic self-starter who has servant leadership abilities.
The individual must have a deep commitment to the well-being of Villanova University and the advancement of its mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s, law or other advanced degree from a reputable and accredited institution is strongly preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in roles requiring managing budgets, implementing programs, and collaborating with partners is preferred.
7+ years of experience in immigration, refugee or human rights related advocacy, policy, research, teaching, law, direct services, consulting, non-profit leadership, and/or government contexts is preferred.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:

Special Message to Applicants:

Posting Date:

07/09/2025

Closing Date (11:59pm ET):

Salary Posting Information:

This position falls within salaried grade 17 and the range for this position is $110-125k. 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:

Job Classification:

exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed

Maximum Number of References Needed

Villanova University

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Director, Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration