Assistant Director, Industry Advising

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Lower Merion Township (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 63,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Tuition assistance

Professional development

Retirement savings plan

Well-being programs

Flexible work options

Job summary

Villanova University is seeking an Assistant Director of Industry Advising to manage employer relationships and provide career coaching to students and alumni in a dynamic, campus-based setting.

The role involves coordinating on- and off-campus events, developing sponsorships, and partnering with faculty, alumni, and advancement teams to promote internships and professional opportunities. Some travel and overnights may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Human Resources, or related field preferred (if listed).
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in university career services office, higher education, human resources or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work with high-profile employers, students, faculty, and administrators.

Responsibilities

• Manage employer relationships and educate employers on recruiting at the university.
• Plan on- and off-campus events and sponsorship opportunities.
• Coach students and alumni on job search strategies and interview preparation.
• Collaborate with campus partners to promote internships and professional opportunities.

Skills

Communication

Coaching

Event coordination

Microsoft Office

Social media

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Handshake

Job description

Assistant Director, Industry Advising

Posting Details

Posting Number: 20260487S Position Title: Assistant Director, Industry Advising Position Type: Staff Location: Villanova, PA Recruitment Type: Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week Department: 323-Career Services

Position Summary: The Assistant Director, Industry Advising is responsible for managing a portfolio of employer relationships and providing career coaching to students and alumni on career decisions and job search strategies. The Assistant Director works with employers to create a customized recruiting experience to engage with students and alumni of the university, including planning on and off campus events and developing sponsorship opportunities. The Assistant Director collaborates with campus professional development teams, faculty, student organizations, alumni, and University Advancement to promote internship and professional opportunities and meet with students to help them secure these opportunities. Some travel and overnight visits will be required.

Founded in 1842 and recognized among the nation’s best colleges and universities, we are a mission-driven institution inspired by the values of truth, unity, love, and dedication to serving the common good.

At Villanova, we believe our people are our most precious asset. That’s why we offer a vibrant and collaborative campus environment and invest in our employees through competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support your professional growth, personal well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include:

• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Tuition assistance for employees and eligible family members
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement savings plan with University contributions
• Well-being programs and resources
• Flexible work options where appropriate

We invite you to join a community where your contributions are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a meaningful difference. Learn more about the benefits of working at Villanova on our website.

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:

Employer Relations & Event Management

• Create and manage relationships with employers and educate them about best practices for recruiting at the university.
• Evaluate the employers’ experience and follow through on any requests or recommendations.
• Using recruiting and student interest data, identify target employers for outreach and travel to meet them. In collaboration with university faculty, staff and alumni, work to establish recruiting relationships with these organizations.
• Create sponsorship opportunites in the Career Center for any interested employer.
• Use Handshake to accurately post multiple positions, establish unique interview schedules, identify potential student candidates and collect resumes.
• Initiate and manage university-wide, industry-specific career events on and off campus.

Industry Advising

• Counsel and coach students and alumni on job search strategies and preparation using information gathered from employer conversations.
• Conduct practice interview sessions.
• Lead in-person and virtual workshops on career development subjects like resume writing, interviewing, and managing an online presence.
• Respond to student inquiries regarding job postings and interview schedules.
• Develop industry-specific content for website, handouts, and digital & print educational materials.
• Support industry-specific immersion programs and other experiential student trips, including corporate site visits.
• Work with student groups associated with the industries supported.

University Partnerships

• Serve as the Career Center’s liaison to academic units and campus departments, including University Advancement and the Alumni Office, who are relevant to employer relationships.
• Collaborate with university professional development teams by enhancing student outreach and strengthening employer and alumni engagements to produce positive outcomes for students.
• Run reports for university professional development teams and to inform strategy of career & professional development
• Share employment trends and recruiting & outcomes data to department chairs and administration.
• Represent the university on campus program committees and off campus consortia.
• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Formal Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Specific Job Knowledge:

• Understanding of corporate hiring processes, college career centers and career development trends.

Minimum Work Experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in university career services office, higher education, human resources or related field.

Work Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in order to work with high profile employers, students, faculty, and university administrators.
• Coaching skills, event coordination and programming experience.
• Experienced in Microsoft Office and social media.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally in an office environment and to interface with various constituents of the university.
• Understanding of corporate hiring processes, college career centers and career development trends.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Other Requirements

• Occasional off-campus travel and overnight visits may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Formal Education:

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Human Resources, or related field preferred.

Specific Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of employment and career services management software preferred (the Villanova University Career Center uses Handshake). Sales orientation a plus.

This position description outlines the general nature and level of work assigned to individuals who function in this job. This description is not exhaustive; other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 11/09/2026 Closing Date (11:59pm ET):

Salary Posting Information: The approved range for this position is $63,000-66,000. 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 Job Classification: exempt