Assistant Director, Career Development & Pre-Law Advising

Villanova University, founded in 1842, is a mission-driven community inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, dedicated to service to others. Ranked among the nation’s best colleges, Villanova offers a holistic benefits package including generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

About the role

The Assistant Director, Career Development & Pre-Law Advising counsels and coaches Villanova students and recent alumni on career decisions, job search strategies, and graduate/law school preparation. This role leads the Career Center’s services, programs, and events supporting students pursuing law school and other graduate study, serving as the University’s pre-law advisor. The Assistant Director collaborates with campus partners to develop community-focused career initiatives and enhances career education and pre-law opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and coach students and recent alumni in career and professional development, including major exploration, job/internship search strategies, application materials (resumes/CVs, cover letters), and practice interviews.
• Advise students interested in law school and other graduate programs, including guidance on personal statements, resumes, cover letters, and other application materials.
• Educate and coach students through individual appointments, drop-in hours, group presentations, and virtual resources/training.
• Develop and support university career events (networking, panels, career fairs, classroom presentations).
• Create and deliver programs, events, and workshops for students and alumni pursuing law school and other graduate study (e.g., Law School Fair, Pre-Law Workshop Series, Grad School 101).
• Coordinate programs and services with student organizations such as the Pre-Law Society, Pre-Law Black Students Association, and Mock Trial.
• Build relationships and manage engagement/outreach for specific career communities by serving as liaison to assigned student populations and campus partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships with law school admissions and pre-law professionals to provide relevant advice to students and alumni, including development of print and web resources.
• Maintain engagement with faculty and staff to promote services and support programming needs.
• Represent the Career Center on campus committees and with off-campus consortia, including Northeast Regional Pre-Law Advisors (NAPLA) and LSAC.
• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree required. A combination of a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a graduate degree.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in education, human resources, communication, non-profit, or related field (graduate assistantships and internships may count).
• Event coordination and programming experience.
• Strong counseling/coaching, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Collaboration and relationship management skills.
• Digital fluency with collaboration tools (Outlook, Teams, Zoom) and ability to adapt to new technologies, including AI tools.
• Knowledge of employment and career services management software (e.g., Handshake) preferred.
• Understanding of student career development process, current job market trends, and hiring/graduate admissions processes.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, or Human Resources.
• Understanding of the law school admissions process.

Pay

This position falls within salaried grade 14, with a salary range of $57,200–$71,500. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, department budget, market data, and internal equity.