Project Manager, Federal Programs

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. seeks an experienced Project Manager (Federal Contracts) to oversee federal, defense, and national-security programs within George Mason University’s Mason Defense initiative within CPE.

The role manages end-to-end program delivery, ensures regulatory compliance, and collaborates with GMU units, faculty, and external partners to align with mission and security requirements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience, including federal or defense programs.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal procurement regulations.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and documentation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of federal and defense-aligned programs.
• Develop, manage, and track program schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate with internal GMU units, faculty, partner organizations, government stakeholders and subcontractors.
• Oversee contract deliverables, reporting, documentation, audits, and compliance protocols.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Project

SharePoint

Smartsheet

Jira

Job description

Department: Academic Affairs

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

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 visasponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Security Clearance Check: Yes

About the Department:

Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) at George MasonUniversity serves as the university’s central hub for workforcedevelopment, executive education, and applied professionallearning. CPE partners with federal agencies, industry, andacademic units across Mason to design and deliver high‑impacttraining programs that strengthen the region’s talentpipeline.

CPE supports strategic university initiatives by offering flexible,mission‑aligned programs—including short courses, certificateprograms, customized federal training, and large‑scale workforceskilling efforts that advance organizational performance andaddress emerging national security, defense, and technology needs.As part of GMU’s research and innovation ecosystem, CPEcollaborates closely with Mason Defense, academic colleges, andresearch centers to ensure programs are responsive, experiential,and aligned with federal workforce priorities.

CPE also supports George Mason University’s efforts to expand anddeliver impactful defense and national security programs throughapplied research, federal partnerships, workforce development, andstrategic initiatives. The department collaborates closely withacademic units, research centers, and federal agencies to advancemission-critical national security objectives.

About the Position:

The Project Manager (Federal Contracts) supports federal, defense,and national‑security‑aligned programs within George MasonUniversity’s Mason Defense initiative within CPE.

This role oversees the planning, coordination, and delivery offederal contract–funded programs, ensuring regulatory compliance,high‑quality program execution, and alignment with Mason’s missionto advance workforce readiness and national securityeducation.

Project Leadership and Execution

• Leads end‑to‑end delivery of federal and defense‑alignedprograms operated through Mason Defense and CPE;
• Develops, manages, and tracks program schedules, milestones,and deliverables; and
• Coordinates with internal GMU units, faculty, partnerorganizations, government stakeholders, and subcontractors.

Contract and Compliance Management

• Ensures adherence to FAR, DFARS, and agency‑specific federalacquisition regulations;
• Manages contract deliverables, reporting, documentation,audits, and compliance protocols; and
• Partners with GMU’s Office of Sponsored Programs and otherinternal compliance teams as needed.

Financial and Budget Oversight

• Tracks budgets, expenditures, invoices, and financial forecastsfor defense‑funded programs; and
• Supports cost proposals, budget modifications, and pricing fornew or expanding contract efforts.

Stakeholder Communication

• Serves as a primary liaison between government sponsors, GMUleadership, and program teams;
• Provides executive‑level updates, briefings, and performancesummaries; and
• Communicates program status across Mason Defense, CPE, anduniversity partners.

Team and Vendor Coordination

• Supports staffing, onboarding, and resource allocation forprogram personnel;
• Oversees subcontractor work to ensure quality and compliance;and
• Facilitates coordination with faculty, instructional designers,and subject‑matter experts for training‑based programs.

Other duties as assigned from time to time

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, PublicAdministration, Engineering, IT, or related field or the equivalentcombination of education and experience;
• Generally, 5+ years of project management experience, includingtypically 3+ years supporting federal or defense governmentprograms;
• Experience delivering programs under FFP, T&M, or Cost‑Pluscontracts;
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal procurementregulations;
• Excellent organizational, communication, and documentationcapabilities;
• Proficiency in tools such as MS Project, SharePoint,Smartsheet, or Jira;
• U.S. citizenship required; and
• Active [Clearance Level] or the ability to maintain a USsecurity clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• PMP, CAPM, Agile/Scrum, or DoD program managementcertification;
• Experience supporting defense‑focused entities (DoD, DHS, IC,DoN, Army, Air Force);
• Experience with federal workforce development, trainingprograms, or university‑based contract management; and
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM).

Posting Open Date: April 8, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 15, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

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

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

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

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