At first rectors always aim to get this title (8)
I believe the answer is:
reverend
'this title' is the definition.
(Reverend is an example)
'at first rectors always aim' is the wordplay.
'at first' indicates taking the first letters.
'always' becomes 'ever' ('ever' can be a synonym of 'always').
'aim' becomes 'end' (I've seen this before).
The first letter of 'rectors' is 'r'.
'r'+'ever'+'end'='REVEREND'
'to get' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for reverend that I've seen before include "Clergyman's title" , "Title of a Protestant clergyman" , "Title of respect for a member of the clergy" , "(Form of address to) clergyman" , "Title for clergyman or convent Mother" .)