University Minister for Spiritual Accompaniment and Engagement

Position Summary

The University Minister for Spiritual Accompaniment and Engagement at Villanova University will be a member of the University Ministry team within the Office for Mission and Ministry. This position designs, coordinates, and facilitates student-centered spiritual formation initiatives with a primary focus on faith-sharing communities, retreat programs, and the formation of student ministerial leaders. This role is committed to offering opportunities for engaging undergraduate and graduate students with both personal and communal expressions of Augustinian spirituality. The minister collaborates closely with colleagues in University Ministry, Liturgy & Sacred Music, the Office for Mission and Ministry, and key campus partners to create inclusive spaces that foster reflection, dialogue, and communal belonging among students of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

This position calls for strong relational and facilitation skills, theological and pastoral competence rooted in the Catholic and Augustinian tradition, and the ability to guide small groups, mentor student leaders, and evaluate programs for effectiveness and alignment with the University's mission. A successful candidate will demonstrate strong active-listening, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to foster trust, openness, and meaningful dialogue within small-group and retreat settings. This role requires sound pastoral judgment; cultural and religious sensitivity; and the capacity to engage students across a wide spectrum of worldviews, identities, and spiritual practices. Working knowledge of Catholic theology, Catholic Social Teaching, and Augustinian spirituality-paired with creativity, organizational skill, and collaborative leadership-will enable the minister to design spiritually compelling programs that support students' personal, communal, and vocational growth.

This full-time, exempt position requires regular work on evenings and weekends.

The Office for Mission and Ministry (OMM) promotes and supports the Augustinian Catholic mission of the University with particular attention to the Augustinian charism and spirituality. A concern for building community and fostering an atmosphere that demonstrates care for our common home are core values integral to OMM's stewardship of the University's mission.

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

30%: Collaborate with University Ministry and Liturgy & Sacred Music teams to coordinate faith-sharing group support

• Develop faith-sharing and spiritual practice communities in collaboration with the University Ministry and Liturgy & Sacred Music teams.
• Collaborate with at least two Office for Mission & Ministry and/or campus partners each semester to explore how a faith-sharing community might support the students in their area/programs.
• Maintain relationships and offer support with partners that are beginning facilitated small groups.
• Cultivate knowledge of best practices for small group ministry and facilitation.
• Promote the Augustinian charism while highlighting the rich Cabrini and Holy Child traditions into our approach to small groups.
• Encourage faith-sharing groups following each retreat offered (as appropriate to retreat content and participants).

25%: Coordination and Development of Retreat Programs

• Coordinate and collaborate with Mission and Ministry staff on the annual Connections summer retreat.
• Develop retreat experiences as needed in the support of faith-sharing and spiritual practice communities individually and jointly.
• Maintain and develop existing or new retreat experiences in collaboration with University Ministry and Liturgy & Sacred Music teams.
• Ensure proper leadership for retreats (faculty, staff, students and possible graduate and alumni leaders) and establish a collaborative connection to ensure effective management.
• Cultivate knowledge of available sites and maintain an active listing for retreats.
• Schedule and reserve retreat places and transportation; manage advertisement, registration, and communications with participants for retreats host by the UM or LSM teams.
• Attend professional, retreat evaluation and planning meetings.

25%: Student Ministerial Leadership Formation

In collaboration with the University Minister for Peer Ministry,

• Steward and develop formation resources for student ministers facilitating faith-sharing small groups, retreats and other spiritual spaces for their peers.
• Offer spiritual formation opportunities for student leaders in University Ministry and Liturgy & Sacred Music programs, and across OMM when appropriate.
• Collaborate with OMM staff to support the formation of their student leaders.
• Provide two or three meetings per semester to strategize and develop interpersonal and group- leading skills for particular groups of student leaders preparing to lead small groups.

15%: University Ministry Collaboration

• Maintain a ministry of presence at university events and work to establish university relationships as a representative of University Ministry.
• Attend and participate in key University Ministry and Office for Mission and Ministry events.
• Regularly evaluate the various offerings with input from supervisor, University Ministry team, and students.
• Attend and actively participate in University Ministry team meetings, and Mission and Ministry staff meetings.
• Actively coordinate with the Liturgy & Sacred Music team and the Minister for Catholic faith formation; create a routine for attending some Sunday evening student liturgies and LSM team meetings.
• Active and ongoing collaboration with University Ministry in planning and facilitation of programs.
• Meet with the Director of Residential Ministry regularly.
• Participate in University Ministry committees and/or University committees.
• Maintain regular office hours.
• Manage budgets for programs.

5%: Other

• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Formal Education and Work Experience

• Master's degree in Theology/Pastoral Ministry or equivalent field.
• Master's degree in another field combined with 5 years of work experience in campus ministry or related role may be substituted for a degree in Theology/Pastoral Ministry.

Work Experience

• 3 years experience in campus ministry or related role; preference for experience in higher or secondary education settings.

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

• Excellent active-listening skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Skills in group dynamics
• Organizational skills
• Ability to work on teams
• Ability to relate and work with diverse groups within the community.
• Sensitivity in working with Catholic students, students from other Christian churches, students from other religious traditions, students who identify as "spiritual, but not religious", and students from no religious background.
• Ability to form an atmosphere of trust and openness, and a strong capacity to facilitate small-group sharing.
• Creativity in finding ways of drawing students into conversation.

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

• An understanding of Roman Catholic theology and practices and the ability to relate them to the personal and relational experience of young adults.
• Principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
• A clear ministerial vision grounded in an awareness of Augustinian spirituality and an ability to develop programs and experiences that further that vision.
• Genuine interest in the lives of students and concern for their psychological, spiritual, and intellectual well-being and growth.
• Commitment to a personal and communal prayer life and spiritual growth.
• Retreat or small group leadership and facilitation experience.

Equipment Knowledge

• Windows Operating system.
• Microsoft 365 Web and Desktop Applications (Excel, Forms, Outlook, Teams, Word).

Other

• Must possess valid drivers' license and must be an approved University driver in accordance with the University's Motor Vehicle Record Policy for Drivers of University Vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications

Formal Education

• Master of Divinity or Doctoral degree in ministry or related field (or ABD).
• Certifications in small group, retreat or dialogue facilitation.

Work Experience

• 6 or more years' full-time experience in campus ministry or related role in higher or secondary education settings.

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

• Administration and management of volunteers, undergraduate and graduate students.

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

• Experience integrating the charism of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and/or the Sisters of the Holy Child of Jesus.

Special Message to Applicants

In addition to your resume and cover letter, please submit a written Statement of Contribution to Mission. You may find more information on our website about the University's Mission and Enduring Commitments.

Closing Date (11:59pm ET)

05/20/2026

Salary Posting Information

This position falls within salaried grade 14 and the range is $57,200-71,500. 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

14

Posting Number: 20260247S

Location: Villanova, PA

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Department: 005-Office of Mission and Ministry

Category: Religious and Spiritual Life

Type: Full-Time