Director, Program Management

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Free tuition for employees

Commuter transit benefits

Hybrid work eligibility

Tuition assistance for dependents

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking a Director, Program Management for Facilities & Campus Operations. You will lead planning, design, and execution of large capital, non-capital, and maintenance projects on the Fairfax campus and coordinate with internal customers and leadership.

You will manage budgets, schedules, procurement, and staff performance, ensuring compliance with university policies while driving strategic project delivery and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Significant experience managing large-scale design, construction, renovation, and facilities-related capital programs.
• Experience directing multi-disciplinary teams of staff, consultants, and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee capital, non-capital, and maintenance project planning, design, construction, closeout, and turnover.
• Direct architecture, engineering, design standards, permitting, scheduling, and budget tracking.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Staff supervision

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture/Engineering/CM/PM/Facilities/Business/Public Administration

Master’s degree in related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category:Administrative or Professional Faculty

Number of Positions: Two

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary:Salary commensurate with education and experience - $155,000

Criminal Background Check:Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (English/Spanish) before applying.

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Position:

Join the George Mason University Patriot Team!

A fantastic new opportunity is available at George Mason University. If you're ready to start a rewarding new career, we're ready to welcome you to our team. As a Virginia state employee, you will work on our beautiful Fairfax campus, home to 677 acres of scenic wooded landscape, and become an important part of the George Mason University community. We have the work and the opportunity. Now we are looking for a dependable team member who takes pride in their work and is eager to make a meaningful contribution to the university's educational facilities. We value employees who are reliable, motivated, and trusted to get the job done. The Facilities & Campus Operations Department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

What's In It For You?

Outstanding Employee Benefits:

• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, holidays, and sick leave;
• Paid two-week winter break (please note this benefit is subject to annual approval and is not guaranteed every year);
• Free tuition for up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, plus professional development opportunities. Earn a college education while earning a salary;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan; and
• Patriot Perks discounts on restaurants, events, entertainment, and more.

Benefits for You and Your Family:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; and
• Tuition benefit for eligible dependents (restrictions apply).

The Director, Program Management is primarily responsible for overseeing the planning, design, and execution of construction, closeout, and turnover to Facilities Maintenance for Capital, Non-Capital, and Maintenance projects for the University. The position establishes project priorities, scope, schedules, and budgets; directs multidisciplinary project teams; and oversees procurement coordination, project delivery, and stakeholder engagement across major university construction and renovation initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Program Management of Capital, Non-Capital, & Maintenance Projects:

• Oversees planning, design, construction, closeout, and turnover of projects;
• Directs architecture, engineering, design standards, permitting, scheduling, and budget tracking;
• Oversees furnishings and equipment planning;
• Serves as primary interface with customers;
• Ensures projects remain within scope, schedule, and budget;
• Manages project teams and identifies project risks;

Contract Administration & Procurement Oversight:

• Coordinates procurement of professional and non-professional services;
• Oversees contract administration activities;
• Reviews project scope definitions, awards, and change orders; and
• Ensures contract activities support project delivery objectives.

Staff Supervision & Performance Management:

• Sets performance goals and deadlines aligned with University plans and vision;
• Organizes workflow and communicates responsibilities;
• Monitors productivity and provides coaching and feedback;
• Resolves employee issues and manages personnel activities; and
• Oversees hiring, training, evaluations, and compliance with policies.

Strategic Coordination & Project Leadership:

• Collaborates with Facilities departments and stakeholders;
• Provides executive-level project guidance and reporting;
• Supports strategic planning and process improvement; and
• Communicates critical issues and project status to leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible professional experience;
• Significant, progressively responsible experience managing large-scale design, construction, renovation, and facilities-related capital programs;
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing professional staff, multidisciplinary project teams, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders;
• Experience directing multiple concurrent projects through planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, closeout, and occupancy phases;
• Experience managing large institutional capital programs involving complex budgets, schedules, funding sources, and stakeholder requirements;
• Experience working directly with internal customers, executive leadership, end users, and external consultants to establish project priorities, scope, schedule, and budget requirements;
• Experience procuring, negotiating, administering, and evaluating professional and non-professional service contracts, including change-order management and performance oversight;
• Experience developing and implementing project controls, risk management strategies, quality assurance practices, and reporting processes to ensure successful project delivery;
• Experience analyzing complex financial, operational, and project-related information and presenting recommendations to executive-level decision-makers;
• Experience managing projects in higher education, public-sector, healthcare, government, or similarly complex institutional environment;
• Knowledge of architecture, engineering, design, and construction principles applicable to institutional, higher education, and large-scale capital projects;
• Knowledge of project planning, scheduling, budgeting, cost control, quality assurance, permitting, and construction administration practices;
• Knowledge of procurement methods, contract administration, and professional services contracting requirements related to public-sector construction projects;
• Skill in strategic leadership, staff supervision, performance management, coaching, and workforce development;
• Skill in managing multidisciplinary teams including architects, engineers, project managers, inspectors, contractors, and consultants;
• Skill in contract negotiation, contract administration, and change-order management;
• Skill in business process analysis, workflow improvement, and organizational effectiveness;
• Skill in design and construction program management for multiple concurrent projects of significant size and complexity;
• Skill in oral, written, and presentation communication with executive leadership, project stakeholders, end users, consultants, and contractors;
• Skill in Microsoft Office applications, project scheduling software, project management systems, and related technology platforms;
• Ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams to achieve project and organizational objectives;
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining compliance with scope, budget, schedule, quality, and regulatory requirements;
• Ability to identify project risks, evaluate alternatives, develop solutions, and make sound business decisions;
• Ability to analyze complex financial, contractual, and operational information and effectively communicate recommendations to decision makers at all organizational levels;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders while balancing competing priorities and interests;
• Ability to deliver projects that meet client expectations for quality, functionality, schedule, and budget performance; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, higher education administration, or related discipline;
• Registered Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia, or the ability to obtain Virginia registration within one year of employment. Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), or related certification preferred;
• Progressive leadership experience overseeing higher education design, construction programs, and campus development initiatives;
• Experience managing capital projects within a public institution or state regulatory environment;
• Experience leading organizations responsible for large capital improvement portfolios exceeding multiple concurrent projects and significant annual expenditures;
• Experience collaborating with facilities operations, planning, finance, procurement, and executive leadership functions to deliver strategic institutional objectives;
• Experience supporting long-range campus planning, capital budgeting, and organizational improvement initiatives;
• Demonstrated knowledge of higher education facilities planning, capital project delivery, and campus development practices;
• Demonstrated knowledge of large public-sector construction programs and institutional project governance;
• Advanced skill in developing and managing large-scale design and construction programs encompassing multiple concurrent projects and funding sources;
• Advanced skill in executive-level stakeholder engagement, consensus building, and strategic project leadership;
• Expert ability to provide strategic direction for complex capital construction initiatives and align project execution with institutional objectives; and
• Expert ability to lead organisational improvement efforts related to capital planning, project delivery, and facilities development.

Posting Open Date: November 2, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 16, 2026

Open Until Filled:Yes