Posting Number:

20260354S

Position Title:

Program Manager, 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:

983-Mother Cabrini Institute for Immigration

Position Summary:

The Program Manager, Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration provides project management, operational, and program coordination support for the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration at Villanova University. The position oversees planning, tracking, and execution of the Institute’s initiatives, events, and partnerships, ensuring alignment with timelines, deliverables, and institutional priorities. The role supports the Institute’s work across teaching, research, field-building, advocacy, and service with migrants and refugees, including the global initiative Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home.

Reporting to the Director, the Program Manager maintains project management systems, coordinates internal and external stakeholders, supports data collection and impact reporting, and assists with grant proposal preparation and reporting. This position contributes to relationship management with internal and external community, academic, and funding partners.

This is a one-year limited term grant-funded position, subject to the ongoing availability of program funding

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:

Project Management, Reporting and Grant Support

Lead project management for all Institute initiatives, tracking timelines, deliverables, and responsibilities across team members and partners.
Maintain project management systems and tools to ensure full team visibility into project status, priorities, and deadlines.
Coordinate work across internal stakeholders (faculty, staff, student groups, alumni) and external partners (community organizations, academic institutions, funders, and international collaborators).
Draft, organize, and distribute meeting agendas, notes, and action items and track follow-through on commitments.
Track outcomes and impact of the Institute’s initiatives. · Prepare reports, summaries, and briefing documents to support Institute leadership. · Collect and manage data sets. Organize impact information and create outcomes reports.
In collaboration with the advancement office, coordinate preparation of grant proposals, budgets, and progress reports.

Event Planning and Program Execution

In partnership with the Institute team and Villanova colleagues, plan, manage, and execute the Institute’s full calendar of events.
Work with Villanova communications and marketing staff to promote events to appropriate audiences.
Evaluate events and apply lessons learned to improve future programming.

Administrative and Operational Support

Provide organizational support to the Institute team, including scheduling, document management, and internal communications.
In partnership with Institute staff, maintain and organize shared files, records, and institutional memory across projects and initiatives’ project files.
Serve as a reliable note-taker and follow-up coordinator for team and partner meetings.
Support onboarding of student workers, volunteers, and project contributors as needed.

Partnership Development and External Engagement

Support the Institute team in maintaining relationships with community partners, co-sponsoring institutions, advisory board members, and funders.
Assist in outreach to academic, faith-based, and non-profit partners, particularly in connection with international initiatives.
Represent the Institute at relevant convenings and coalition meetings as appropriate.
Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Formal Education

Bachelor’s degree required

Work Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, program administration, or a closely related field.

Work Skills (e.g., written and verbal communication skills)

Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Excellent organizational and project management skills;
Strong written and verbal communication;
Superior note-taking and documentation skills;
Demonstrated attention to detail.
Strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross‑functional teams.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse partners and stakeholders.

Specific Job Knowledge (e.g., knowledge of principles and procedures related to field and area)

Expertise in project management methodologies;
Experience coordinating events from workshops to large conferences;
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Equipment Knowledge

Microsoft Office Suite;
Project management platforms;
Video conferencing tools;
Email and calendar management systems.

Other:

Demonstrated commitment to social justice, immigrant rights, and the mission of the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration.

Preferred Qualifications:

Formal Education

Master’s degree preferred.
Some graduate work.
Project management experience or certification (PMP or CAPM through PMI, or equivalent)

Work Experience

Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or migrant communities. Enrollment in or willingness to enroll in the VIISTA certificate program is a plus.
Minimum 5 years of experience in a higher education, advocacy, non-profit or legal services environment preferred.

Work Skills (e.g., written and verbal communication skills)

Proficiency with project management tools, including Gantt charts, dashboards, and collaboration platforms.
Ability to use and leverage AI‑enabled tools to streamline workflows.
Experience with diverse populations.
Foreign language proficiency a plus.

Specific Job Knowledge (e.g., knowledge of principles and procedures related to field and area)

Familiarity with immigration law, refugee policy, or the DOJ Recognition and Accreditation program.
Understanding of project management methodologies (charters, plans, schedules, reporting).
Experience (or proficiency) using MS Office and scheduling tools.
Experience with international academic partnerships or global initiatives, a plus.
Experience representing an organization at conferences, in coalitions, or with government or foundation partners.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, immigrant rights, and the mission of the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration.

Equipment Knowledge

Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communications tools.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:

Special Message to Applicants:

Posting Date:

07/20/2026

Closing Date (11:59pm ET):

Salary Posting Information:

This position falls within salaried grade 13 and the range 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 Grade:

Job Classification:

exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed

Maximum Number of References Needed

Villanova University

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Program Manager, Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration