Director of Professional Development and Leadership

Director of Professional Development and Leadership
Posting Details

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Professional Development and Leadership, the Director of Professional Development and Leadership plays a central role in preparing law students for successful, fulfilling careers. As a highly visible member of the Law School’s Professional Development team, this position combines classroom teaching and innovative program development to help students build the professional competencies and leadership skills essential to thrive in the legal profession.

Working collaboratively with the Associate Dean and Faculty Director, the Director designs, teaches, and continuously enhances the Law School’s comprehensive Professional Development curriculum and related programming. Through frequent and meaningful engagement with students, the Director delivers workshops, facilitates learning opportunities, and supports students in developing a strong professional identity grounded in the values, ethics, judgment, and responsibilities of the legal profession.

The Director plays a key role in fostering students’ professional identity formation, helping them connect their personal values and strengths with the competencies and expectations of the legal profession while preparing them to navigate an evolving legal landscape with confidence and integrity. This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students’ academic experience, professional identity formation, and long-term success as lawyers and leaders.

• 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
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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.

• Plan, implement, and facilitate the Professional Development curriculum and related programming, including leadership programming, under the strategic guidance of the Associate Dean for Professional Development and Leadership and the Faculty Director. Collaborate with faculty to infuse professional development concepts into academic curriculum. Cultivate student leadership of and involvement in professional development programming. Coordinate with the Office of Career Strategy and Advancement, the Director of Experiential Learning, faculty advisors, alumni, and employers with respect to the Professional Development and leadership curriculum.
  
  Identify and implement additional opportunities to integrate professional development and leadership programming throughout the Law School experience. Review and evaluate student work.
• Prepare and enhance student tools for self‑assessment and professional development, including integration of assessment tools into the curriculum. Create and implement opportunities for customization and individualization within the Professional Development curriculum, including programming for students who are planning a career outside of the traditional practice of law.
• Provide advising and programming on professional development matters, which may include the following: counseling students on career and professional development concerns and planning, implementing, and facilitating programming and communication strategies for first generation, underrepresented, and diverse students.
• Assist in seeking ways to enhance professional development and employment outcomes for all students.…