Assistant Director of Doctoral Programs - Helms School of Government

Liberty University, Inc.; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, seeks an Assistant Director of Doctoral Programs to lead the Helms School of Government Doctoral Support Team. You will manage staff, coordinate with Online Department Chairs, and ensure timely progression through the dissertation sequence in line with university policies.

You will recruit faculty for dissertation/capstone committees, monitor student progress, address concerns, maintain policy handbooks, and supervise two support coordinators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2 years of experience in student support roles.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with faculty, especially those serving in capstone/dissertation committee roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects and processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of the doctoral programs on a daily, subterm, semester, and annual basis.
• Develop and update policies related to doctoral programs in consultation with leadership and faculty.
• Maintain Capstone/Dissertation Handbooks and doctoral records.
• Coordinate student registration and progress in the dissertation sequence.
• Supervise doctoral program staff and address student or faculty concerns.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Project management

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Experience in student support roles

Tools

Microsoft 365

Canvas

LU systems

Job description

The Assistant Director of Doctoral Programs is responsible for the daily operations of the Helms School of Government’s Doctoral Support Team, including managing support staff. This position reports to the Associate Dean and works closely with the Online Department Chairs to ensure that students in the department’s doctoral programs progress into and through the dissertation sequence in accordance with university and departmental policies. This position is responsible for recruiting faculty to serve on dissertation/capstone committees, ensuring that students are paired with qualified committee members, registering students for the proper course in a timely way, monitoring student progress, addressing complaints or other issues raised by students or dissertation/capstone faculty, and maintaining (and updating) departmental policies including Dissertation/Capstone Handbooks in conjunction with departmental leadership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee operations of the Helms School of Government’s doctoral programs on a daily, subterm, semester, and annual basis. Develop, disseminate, implement, and update policies related to doctoral programs in consultation with departmental leadership, faculty, and university support departments. Regularly review and update Capstone/Dissertation Handbooks. Maintain Helms School of Government’s Doctoral Community as a repository of all necessary information for students in or preparing for the dissertations sequence. Maintain and coordinate with university support departments on processes related to student registration in the dissertation sequence. Ensure that dissertation/capstone faculty are trained regarding departmental doctoral policies, procedures, and expectations. Maintain all departmental records relating to student enrollment within the dissertation sequence, including committee composition and compensation, scheduling and completion of proposal and dissertation defenses, and satisfaction of all other doctoral graduation requirements. Review student progress on a regular basis and identify students who are not meeting departmental or committee expectations for progress. In conjunction with Department Chairs, ensure implementation of course changes in the dissertation sequence. Ensure a rapid response to student questions and concerns, including complaints. Supervise doctoral program staff. Other responsibilities as required. Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner. Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission – Training Champions for Christ.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position would oversee two support coordinator positions and potentially several student positions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 2 years of experience in student support roles
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with faculty, especially those serving in capstone/dissertation committee roles
• Demonstrated experience managing projects and processes

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well articulated information. Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner. Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University. Strong organizational skills. Computer skills such as Microsoft 365, Canvas, and various LU systems.

Problem Solving

Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

May be required to travel. May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard. Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally. Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus. Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business. Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate. Working environment may include facilitation of events outdoors occasionally.

Driving Requirements

If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel. Proof of a valid driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee’s position.

Time Type

Full time

Location

Onsite

Pay Range Compensation

Compensation is determined based on factors such as qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, along with University needs and external market conditions. Market benchmarks may be used, as appropriate, in combination with internal equity to ensure pay is fair and aligned with the broader compensation structure. The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. $50,000.00 - $60,000.00

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

Background

Before you begin an application, please review our application process. Whatever capacity you work in at Liberty University, you’ll be playing a supportive role in our mission of Training Champions for Christ. Liberty has a wide variety of engaging and challenging positions available that are waiting for committed men and women of integrity just like you. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since 1971. As one of the nation’s largest Christian universities, Liberty employs a diverse community of faculty, staff, and student professionals who are united by a shared mission and commitment to excellence. Through their dedication and service, Liberty employees help create a collaborative, faith-driven environment that supports meaningful work and lasting impact.