Director of the LibertyLIFE Program

Liberty University•Lynchburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of the LibertyLIFE program provides leadership for the development, launch, ongoing management, and growth of a comprehensive postsecondary program serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. This role is responsible for building the program from the ground up, establishing its vision, structure, staffing, curriculum, and support systems. The Director will mobilize university-wide resources, recruit, build, and train a mission-focused team, develop integrated academic, vocational, independent living, and spiritual formation components, and cultivate employment and community partnerships. The Director ensures appropriate assisted living supports, campus integration, and compliance with applicable legal, accreditation, and risk-management requirements, while fostering a culture that reflects Liberty’s Christian mission and commitment to student flourishing. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Program Conceptualization and Implementation Lead evidence-informed design of a holistic postsecondary model for students with intellectual disabilities, drawing on best practices from successful programs with integrated functional academics, independent living, and employment preparation. Establish the LibertyLIFE program structure including pathways, credential outcomes, progression criteria, application processes, and admissions requirements. Ensure alignment with institutional mission, goals, and compliance frameworks. Develop program mission, vision, strategic plan, key performance indicators, and benchmarks informed by research and field standards. Design and implement a phased program launch strategy, including pilot cohorts, enrollment caps, staffing thresholds, and readiness benchmarks. Evaluate program capacity and institutional readiness to inform recommendations for enrollment growth, program expansion, or modification. Ensure that scaling decisions prioritize student safety, program quality, staff sustainability, and institutional risk management. Admissions, Eligibility, and Student Continuation Develop and oversee admissions standards, eligibility criteria, and application review processes to ensure appropriate student fit, safety, and program readiness. Establish clear expectations for student participation, progression, and conduct, including criteria for continuation, probation, suspension, or program exit when academic, behavioral, medical, or safety thresholds are not met. Design and implement family and student agreements outlining scope of services, levels of support, institutional responsibilities, and shared accountability for student success and safety. 2. Program Governance and Authority Provide executive leadership and decision-making authority for all aspects of the LibertyLIFE program, including: admissions recommendations, curriculum design, student progression standards, staffing, and operational policies Serve as the primary institutional authority for LibertyLIFE, empowered to establish program policies and procedures in alignment with university standards and risk management frameworks. Establish and chair an internal cross-divisional steering committee to coordinate LibertyLIFE operations across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Housing, Health Services, Campus Safety, and Risk Management. 2. Academic and Functional Curriculum Development Design curriculum that integrates functional academics (e.g., budgeting, literacy, employment skills), self-advocacy, social/leisure skills, self-care, and health/wellness learning pathways. Coordinate with academic units to offer inclusive access to regular university courses alongside specialized instruction. Integrate instructional strategies that support student engagement and measurable outcomes, leveraging faculty and qualified instructors. 3. Residential and Independent Living Infrastructure Develop policies and systems for structured residential and independent living environments through the establishment of supervision ratios, independent living assistants, community-based experiences. Ensure students learn and apply daily living skills (e.g., transportation, time management, routine planning, meal preparation). Facilitate intentional progression toward increased independence through scaffolding supports. 4. Student Support Systems and Integration Build comprehensive student support systems including counseling, peer mentoring, and coordinated case management to support holistic well-being. Implement peer mentor programs to support academic, social, and cultural integration within the broader campus community. Structure opportunities for participation in campus life, clubs, events, athletics, and student organizations. Serve as the primary institutional point of contact for families, fostering transparent, consistent, and proactive communication. Design and lead family orientation, education, and engagement initiatives that support student independence while clarifying institutional roles and boundaries. Address family concerns, appeals, and grievances in collaboration with university leadership and in accordance with institutional policies. 5. Employment and Career Pathway Development Establish robust vocational training pipelines including internships, community worksite rotations, and paid job opportunities on and off campus. Partner with employers to expand pathways for competitive employment and certificate attainment. Implement systems to support job readiness, industry certification opportunities, employment evaluations, and post-graduation transition planning. 6. Staffing and Training Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor program staff, including specialized instructors, support personnel, and independent living assistants. Establish orientation and ongoing professional development to build expertise in disability-specific instructional strategies, inclusive practices, and compliance requirements. Cultivate a mission-aligned, collaborative team committed to student success. 7. Institutional Resource Alignment Secure institutional resources to support assisted care, accessibility, accommodations, residential infrastructure, and specialized services. Serve as the lead liaison across academic affairs, student affairs, housing, dining, health services, and campus safety to integrate LibertyLIFE into core university operations. 8. Compliance, Accreditation, and Risk Management Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations; disability-related laws; and risk management protocols. Lead institutional readiness for applicable accreditation or certification standards (e.g., CTP, TPSID frameworks). Collaborate with campus health services, counseling, disability services, and campus safety to establish protocols for medical documentation, medication management coordination, behavioral supports, and emergency response. Develop and oversee behavioral intervention frameworks and crisis escalation procedures, including after-hours response protocols and coordination with university leadership and emergency services as needed. Ensure LibertyLIFE staff are appropriately trained in safety, crisis response, and mandated reporting requirements. Coordinate with legal counsel, university leadership, and external stakeholders on program standards, safety, and compliance documentation. 9. Assessment and Continuous Improvement Establish data collection systems to monitor student outcomes (e.g., employment rates, independent living progress, retention, satisfaction) and program performance. Use assessment results to drive continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making. Report outcomes to institutional leadership, external partners, and funding sources. 10. Community and External Partnership Development Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, employers, service providers, government agencies, and families to broaden opportunity ecosystems. Advocate for the value of inclusive postsecondary education and community inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 11. Mission Integration and Cultural Leadership Promote Liberty’s Christian mission through program design, community engagement, and student formation initiatives. Foster a culture of dignity, belonging, and purpose for students, employees, families, and partners. 12. Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner. 13. Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission – Training Champions for Christ.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Special Education, Education, Higher Education, Social Work, or related field.
Minimum 5-7 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Demonstrated leadership in program development, staff supervision, and student support.
Experience coordinating multi‑component educational or community programs.
Strong communication skills with students, families, faculty, and community partners.
Experience working within regulatory, accreditation, or licensure frameworks relevant to postsecondary programs serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Commitment to Christian leadership and alignment with Liberty University’s mission.
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
Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in Special Education, Higher Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
Experience with post‑secondary transition programs.
Knowledge of inclusive education practices, vocational training frameworks, and supported living models.
Understanding of developmental disabilities, behavioral supports, or applied special education methods.
Experience managing budgets, grants, or donor‑related initiatives.

Responsibilities

Program Conceptualization and Implementation
Admissions, Eligibility, and Student Continuation
Program Governance and Authority
Academic and Functional Curriculum Development
Residential and Independent Living Infrastructure
Student Support Systems and Integration
Employment and Career Pathway Development
Staffing and Training
Institutional Resource Alignment
Compliance, Accreditation, and Risk Management
Assessment and Continuous Improvement
Community and External Partnership Development
Mission Integration and Cultural Leadership
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.