Assistant Director of Doctoral Programs - Helms School of Government

Liberty University•Lynchburg, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Doctoral Programs oversees the daily operations of the Helms School of Government’s doctoral programs and Doctoral Support Team, including supervising support staff. Reporting to the Associate Dean, the position works closely with Online Department Chairs to help students progress through the dissertation sequence in accordance with university and departmental policies. The role coordinates dissertation and capstone committee recruitment and assignments, student registration, progress monitoring, and responses to student or faculty concerns. It also maintains departmental records and policies, including Dissertation/Capstone Handbooks, and coordinates with university support departments on dissertation-sequence processes. The position oversees two support coordinator roles and may oversee student positions. The work is onsite in a climate-controlled, well-lighted environment with moderate noise. The position may involve occasional outdoor events and travel, and may require use of a personal or university vehicle when traveling for work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 2 years of experience in student support roles.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with faculty, especially faculty serving on capstone or dissertation committees.
Demonstrated experience managing projects and processes.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in English and represent Liberty University professionally.
Strong organizational skills.
Computer skills, including Microsoft 365, Canvas, and various Liberty University systems.
Ability to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment to solve routine and complex problems.
If driving is required for the position, a valid driver’s license, acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance are required.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily, subterm, semester, and annual operations of the Helms School of Government’s doctoral programs.
Develop, distribute, implement, and update doctoral-program policies in consultation with departmental leadership, faculty, and university support departments.
Regularly review and update Capstone/Dissertation Handbooks.
Maintain the Helms School of Government’s Doctoral Community as a repository of information for current and prospective dissertation-sequence students.
Coordinate with university support departments on processes for registering students in the dissertation sequence.
Ensure dissertation and capstone faculty are trained on departmental policies, procedures, and expectations.
Maintain departmental records concerning dissertation-sequence enrollment, committee composition and compensation, proposal and dissertation defense scheduling and completion, and other doctoral graduation requirements.
Review student progress regularly and identify students who are not meeting departmental or committee expectations.
Work with Department Chairs to implement dissertation-sequence course changes.
Respond rapidly to student questions, concerns, and complaints.
Supervise doctoral program staff, including two support coordinator positions and potentially student positions.
Recruit faculty for dissertation and capstone committees and ensure students are paired with qualified committee members.
Ensure students are registered for the appropriate course in a timely manner.
Adhere to Liberty University policies and represent the University in an exemplary manner.
Work effectively as a team member while embracing and fostering the University’s Christian model and mission.
Perform other responsibilities as required.