"Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement"

Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement

Company: Villanova University

Job Location: Villanova, 19085

Category: Administrative Vice Presidents

Type: Full-Time

Posting Number: 20254561S

Location: Villanova, PA

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Department: 709 - UNITAS: The Office of Community Enrichment

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 Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement is a senior level position that reports to the Vice President for UNITAS: Office of Community Enrichment and has the primary responsibility of coordinating all major divisions of the office: Education and Training, Center for Dialogue and Climate Concerns. The position will work collaboratively across the University with departments and divisions addressing strategic concerns related to advancing access and retention, university infrastructure, assessment and educational and community development goals identified in the Strategic Plan and by the Aequitas Task Force. The position will direct data collection and its analysis and recommendations for strategic planning of UNITAS and impacted university units. The Assistant Vice President will act as a liaison to campus partners to ensure alignment with UNITAS initiatives. Finally, the Assistant Vice President will work closely with the Vice President on projects both planned and emergent that will advance the University's standing as a transformative leader in inclusion and belonging at Villanova and beyond.

UNITAS - Derived from the Latin word for unity and core to the Augustinian tradition, unitas represents the fundamental importance of community, friendship and shared identity, rooted in dignity and respect for each person. Unitas calls us to foster a deep sense of belonging and mutual respect, encouraging connection across differences in pursuit of the common good.

Titles of Positions Supervised: The Director of Inclusive Community Learning and Practice, the Senior Director of the Dr. Terry Nance Center for Dialogue, the Director of Academic Collaboration and Research, and Program Coordinator.

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

25% Education and Training

• Supervise the Education and Training pillar of UNITAS. This includes assessing the University's education needs, providing on-going guidance to current education and development programs such as Advancing Equity and justice Curriculum and programs shared with Human Resources such as Hiring for Villanova's Future, and Community is a Verb. In addition, initiate assessment projects on these various education projects.

25% Center for Dialogue

• Provide direct supervision of the Center for Dialogue. Assess the institutional positioning of the Center and courses offered. Provide feedback on growth and sustaining efforts of Center initiatives. Support the alignment of the Center and the Race Justice Dialogue Course.

15% Strategic Initiatives

• Serve as consulting resource to departments and divisions providing strategic direction and guidance in addressing issues related to alignment with the university commitment to an equitable and just community including but not limited to climate issues, existing policies, office practices, onboarding, retention, and mentoring programs, as well as aiding in addressing Rooted and Restless: Strategic Plan diversity goals.

10% Engagement

• Support the stabilization and growth of the Campus Climate Program and Employee Resource Groups.

10% Liaison

• Serve as the liaison between UNITAS and Villanova Initiative to Support Inclusiveness and Build Leaders (VISIBLE), Human Resources, and Mission and Ministry.

10% Research and Evaluation

• Conduct and support institutional research projects for UNITAS such as evaluations of programs presented by our office.

5% Other

• Perform other duties and assist with special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Formal Education

• Doctoral or Masters degree in areas related to inclusive pedagogy and practices (e.g. Educational Leadership, Communication, Political Science, Sociology).

Work Experience

• 5 or more years of experience in higher education or related area.
• At least 3 years of administrative leadership experience.
• 1-2 years of supervisory experience.

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

• Demonstrated understanding, application, and teaching of current best thinking and practices in higher education inclusion, belonging and social justice.
• Supervision and development of professional staff.
• Demonstration of effective project management skills.
• Application of change management within education or similar organizational contexts.
• Second Language competence a plus.

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

• Must be comfortable working in a dynamic, intercultural environment.
• Must be self-motivated and results oriented.
• Must take initiative where appropriate.
• Must be competent in managing intercultural conversations.
• Must demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate excellent writing and verbal skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with excellent attention to detail.
• Must be able to protect confidential information.
• Excellent computer skill, command of Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn new computer programs.
• The individual must have a deep commitment to the well-being of the Villanova University, a commitment to the University's Catholic/Augustinian heritage, and the advancement of its mission, and to serving the needs of a diverse community.

Equipment Knowledge

• High comfort level with computer and web-based systems, ability and willingness to learn new software applications.

Salary Posting Information

This position falls within salaried grade 18 and the range for this position is $115,200-121,600. 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.