The Online Chair is a full time, 12-month contracted administrative faculty position. The Online Chair’s primary role is to maintain the integrity of online programs and to ensure that their delivery is in alignment with the University mission and vision. The Online Chair also ensures operational excellence in relation to the administration of online programs, including faculty recruitment and retention, program administration, and student success. Essential functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the items outlined below.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Faculty and Curriculum

• Provide academic leadership for online courses, ensuring curriculum quality, consistency, and alignment with Liberty University standards and academic process management practices.

• Lead curriculum development and innovation initiatives, collaborating with publishers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and instructional designers to continuously improve course content and delivery.

• Monitor End-of-Course Evaluations (EOCs), grade distributions, and student outcomes to inform instructional improvements.

• Oversee hiring, credentialing, onboarding, and training of online faculty in coordination with Associate Deans, Instructional Mentors (IMs), and Faculty Support Coordinators (FSCs).

• Mentor and supervise online faculty, IMs, and SMEs, supporting professional development, performance management, and remediation when necessary.

• Manage faculty assignments, course scheduling, and contract fulfillments using Liberty University systems and Registrar timelines.

• Analyze faculty and course performance reports to ensure compliance with standards and a high-quality student experience.

• Conduct faculty evaluations, address student complaints, grade appeals, academic integrity issues, and review course substitutions and transfers.

• Other duties as assigned.

Administrative and Financial Affairs

• Coordinate closely with the Flight Training Affiliate (FTA) Office to support aligned academic, operational, and registration processes for online aviation programs.

• Collaborate with Registration and Registrar functions to ensure accurate scheduling, enrollment, course staffing, and compliance with institutional deadlines.

• Ensure the maintenance of important documents, handbooks, student and faculty resources, and instruments used to communicate curriculum revisions and changes.

• Participate in promotional events, departmental meetings, vendor and publisher engagements, and support annual budget planning for the assigned areas of oversight.

• Apply knowledge and experience working with regulatory and oversight agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Education, to support compliance, reporting, and accreditation-related processes.

University Service

• Serve on University or departmental committees as assigned, including curriculum and academic councils.

• Participate in University events, including faculty orientation, commencement exercises, and special initiatives.

• Contribute to the efforts on special projects that advance the strategic goals of the School of Aeronautics and Liberty University.

Spiritual Leadership

• Encourage a commitment to the Christian life, one of personal integrity, sensitivity to the needs of others, social responsibility, and active communication of the Christian faith, and, as it is lived out, a life that leads people to Jesus Christ as the Lord of the universe and their own personal Savior.

• Support and foster Liberty University’s doctrinal beliefs.

• Support and foster the spiritual development of faculty, staff, and students, ensuring that Christian values remain the focus of our mission and purpose at Liberty University.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Does the position directly or indirectly supervise other employees?                 ☒ YES    ☐ NO

Does the position supervise subordinate supervisors?                                             ☒ YES    ☐ NO

If yes, please list the subordinate supervisors (names and titles) reporting to this position:

• Instructional Mentors (5)

How many employees are indirectly overseen by this position through subordinate supervisors?

• Online Adjunct Faculty (100)

Does this position directly oversee non-supervisory personnel?                  ☒ YES    ☐ NO

If yes, how many non-supervisory personnel are directly overseen by this position?

• Faculty Support Coordinator (1)

Does position interact with individuals/entities outside the company?     ☒ YES   ☐ NO

If yes, please describe:

• Educational Technology and Curriculum Vendors, Accreditation Bodies, Industry Organizations, and Industry Advisors.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Teaching experience in higher education, with experience in both residential and online modalities, a plus.

• Understanding of technologies associated with higher education delivery.

• Experience with curricular development and planning.

• Passion for student and faculty development and mentorship.

• Academic and research experience (conducting and disseminating) in the related field.

• Commitment to the vision, mission, and purpose of Liberty University and the School of Aeronautics.

• Master's Degree in an Aeronautics area of study.

• 5 years of industry experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in an Aeronautics area of study, or related field.

• History of outstanding teaching and student mentorship.

• Experience in administration.

• Interest in emerging educational technologies.

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.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Excellent computer skills.

• Ability to contribute to a team environment and contribute expertise at appropriate times.

• Ability to show respect to colleagues and to work in a collegial manner.

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

• Occasionally required to travel to local and campus locations.

• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.

• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the building.

• 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 office setting. It is well-lit, and the noise level is moderate.

Driving Requirements

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) is required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.

This job description is designed to provide an employee with a basic understanding of the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities entailed in the performance of his or her job with Liberty University (LU). It is not intended to be all-inclusive. This description does not constitute an employment contract, either expressed or implied.  Employment with Liberty University is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or LU with or without advance notice for any reason or for no reason at all. Only the President and Chancellor is authorized to make changes to any LU policy. Job functions and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of management. Efforts will be made to provide advanced notice of such changes whenever possible.

Target Hire Date

2026-02-09

Time Type

Full time

Location

Lynchburg - In Office

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.