Program Coordinator, Capital Pathways

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Program Coordinator to support the SBDC Capital Pathways program, handling client intake, data management, outreach, and grants administration.

This role emphasizes strong communication and organizational skills and a passion for small business and local economic development. The Coordinator will work primarily in Fairfax, VA offices with a possible hybrid work arrangement, coordinating with partners and internal teams to meet federal grant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications in a professional setting.
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, clients, or program participants.
• Experience handling administrative tasks independently.
• Excellent writing and communication skills for emails, reports, and meeting notes.
• Strong organizational skills with multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to engage confidently with small business clients and external stakeholders.
• Self-starter with initiative and curiosity; eager to learn program concepts.

Responsibilities

• Handles client intake, outreach, and event support for the Capital Pathways program.
• Manages CRM data, attendance, and reporting to track program impact.
• Assists in program communications, newsletters, and annual reports.
• Provides administrative and grant support, including budget monitoring and procurement docs.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Writing

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

Job Details

Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact

Classification: Admin Office Specialist 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

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

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Anticipated salary range $50,000-$55,000 annually; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department

The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is apartnership with the US SBA and other local hosts to providecounseling services and training to Small Businesses in Virginia.The Virginia SBDC leads office administers and manages the SBDCnetwork of 25 centers across Virginia with 13 subrecipientsincluding universities, community colleges, and economicdevelopment organizations. The Virginia SBDC is a program of MasonEnterprise.

Capital Pathways is a specialized program within the Virginia SBDCnetwork that empowers Virginia small businesses to secure thecapital they need to grow. It is designed for very small (fewerthan 10 employees) and emerging and growth-ready businesses thatface challenges accessing traditional financing. The program offersan immersive, hands-on experience focused on financial and legalreadiness. Through group-based workshops and bootcamps,discussion-style webinars with guest speakers, bookkeepingtrainings, and peer support groups - paired with extendedone-on-one assistance from financial, accounting, and legal experts- business owners don’t just learn what to do - they actively buildthe systems and habits needed to access capital and grow withconfidence.

About the Position

The Program Coordinator supports the effective implementation of the SBDC Capital Pathways Program. The Coordinator manages client intake and referral processes, maintains high-quality data and reporting systems, and supports outreach, training, and grants administration. This role requires strong communication and organizational skills, shown interest in small business and local economic development, and the ability to support program delivery in alignment with federal grant requirements and timelines.

The Program Coordinator will work primarily in the SBDC's Fairfax Virginia offices, with the possibility of a hybrid work arrangement.

Responsibilities

Client Intake, Outreach, & Event Support

• Conducts initial intake calls with prospective clients to assess business needs and determine program fit;
• Refers clients to the appropriate technical assistance advisor or partners based on their needs and eligibility;
• Follows-up with clients after missed meetings, cancellations, or expressions of interest; and
• Hosts Zoom webinars and assists in filtering and organizing participant questions, and coordinating logistics for in-person trainings.

Client Relationship Management (CRM) Software Data Management

• Performs routine audits of client data in the CRM system to ensure completeness and accuracy;
• Ensures meeting notes and client interaction records are documented appropriately for reporting and analysis;
• Enter events into the CRM system, tracks attendance, and reconciles events; and
• Tracks and reports on impact by Capital Pathways' clients.

Program Communications & Reporting Support

• Assists in the preparation of program newsletters, webinar promotions, client success stories, and annual reports; and
• Helps collect relevant data and materials from partners and internal systems.

Administrative & Grant Support

• Populates monthly budget monitoring tools and supports trackingspending against program budget;
• Supports grant compliance by tracking sponsor reportingdeadlines; and
• Processes vendor invoices and assists with procurementdocumentation as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combinationof education and experience;
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications in a professional setting;
• Experience professionally engaging with diverse stakeholders, clients, or program participants;
• Experience learning and handling administrative andprogrammatic tasks independently;
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce professional emails, reports, and meeting notes;
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision;
• Professional interpersonal skills and the ability to engage confidently with small business clients and external stakeholders;
• Self-starter with initiative and curiosity, and eager to learn new concepts relevant to the program;
• Comfortable contributing ideas and participating actively incollaborative team discussions;
• Strong attention to detail, especially in data entry,recordkeeping, and financial tracking; and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook,Word, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting small business, entrepreneurship, or economic development programs;
• Exposure to or work with underserved business communities;
• Experience working with financial institutions, community lenders, or access-to-capital initiatives;
• Experience supporting program compliance or reportingrequirements for federally funded or grant-supported programs;
• Experience drafting or helping develop communication materials such as success stories, program reports, or newsletters;
• Experience planning or providing logistical support for webinars, trainings, or community-facing events;
• Knowledge of small business development, entrepreneurshipsupport services, or local economic ecosystems;
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills preferred;
• Ability to support the preparation of public-facing materialslike newsletters, client success stories, or program updates;and
• Familiarity with federal or state program requirements, particularly related to grants or contracts.

Posting Open Date

July 21, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by

August 4, 2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/