Provide overall strategic direction and continual guidance for the Office of Spiritual Development’s (OSD) goals, initiatives, and operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the holistic spiritual development for the student-athlete population in alignment with the core principals and values of the Office of Spiritual Development.

• Direct and manage the selection and development of Graduate Scholars (GS) who serve as the primary arm of ministry and discipleship-making among student athletes.

• In alignment with the Office of Spiritual Development and the LU Shepherd department, and working with the Graduate Scholars, oversee programming and spiritual formation strategies to provide effective ministry to student athletes.

• Build rapport and relationships within the Liberty University Athletic Department, specifically among coaches, administration, staff, and, as necessary, student athletes.

• Develop and execute all aspects of selection and development of Graduate Scholars.  

• Provide appropriate mentorship, spiritual counseling, and life-skills coaching to Graduate Scholars in working to achieve the mission of LU Shepherd and the Office of Spiritual Development.

• Manage the development of programming ideas, mentoring programs and implementation

• Be the primary point of contact for Graduate Students in their ministry to student athletes.

• Hospital visitation for athletic student population.

• Oversee and manage Graduate Student team travel schedules

• Meet with students one-on-one, providing pastoral counseling, as necessary

• Act as liaison to faculty, staff and administration in regard to student-athlete related questions or concerns

• Assist administration with athletic student-related issues/resolutions (Chancellor, President, Student Advocate, International Student Office, etc.).

Provide overall strategic direction and continual guidance for the Office of Spiritual Development’s (OSD) goals, initiatives, and operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the holistic spiritual development for the student-athlete population in alignment with the core principals and values of the Office of Spiritual Development.

• Direct and manage the selection and development of Graduate Scholars (GS) who serve as the primary arm of ministry and discipleship-making among student athletes.

• In alignment with the Office of Spiritual Development and the LU Shepherd department, and working with the Graduate Scholars, oversee programming and spiritual formation strategies to provide effective ministry to student athletes.

• Build rapport and relationships within the Liberty University Athletic Department, specifically among coaches, administration, staff, and, as necessary, student athletes.

• Develop and execute all aspects of selection and development of Graduate Scholars.  

• Provide appropriate mentorship, spiritual counseling, and life-skills coaching to Graduate Scholars in working to achieve the mission of LU Shepherd and the Office of Spiritual Development.

• Manage the development of programming ideas, mentoring programs and implementation

• Be the primary point of contact for Graduate Students in their ministry to student athletes.

• Hospital visitation for athletic student population.

• Oversee and manage Graduate Student team travel schedules

• Meet with students one-on-one, providing pastoral counseling, as necessary

• Act as liaison to faculty, staff and administration in regard to student-athlete related questions or concerns

• Assist administration with athletic student-related issues/resolutions (Chancellor, President, Student Advocate, International Student Office, etc.).

• Collect, monitor, and review assessment related data report documents.

• Attend Convocation and Campus Community

• Remains abreast of existing and emerging technologies, processes, products, services and leading industry performance benchmarks.

• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s mission.

• Assist Executive Director with other various duties and functions as deemed appropriate.

REQUIRED & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience:

• Four-year college degree, with previous work experience with college-aged students in a church or university setting. A working knowledge of student athlete issues and educational trends, as they relate to higher education, is necessary.

Preferred Experience:

• Master’s degree in related field.

• At least three years previous experience working in sports ministry

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 to a variety of business and community customers and associates.

• Good organizational skills.

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.

• 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.

• 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 both in climate-controlled office setting as well as in sport athletic facilities.

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.

Target Hire Date

2025-07-01

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.

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