Research Events & Facilities Operations Coordinator

George Mason University; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking a Research Events & Facilities Operations Coordinator to oversee federal research meetings, conferences, and facility scheduling on site in Arlington, VA. The role emphasizes delivering exceptional customer service to government, industry, academic, and community partners while ensuring compliant facility operations.

You will coordinate event logistics, room setup, catering, AV, registrations, vendor coordination, and post-event reviews, with collaboration

Qualifications

• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to coordinate multiple events and activities concurrently.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with senior leaders, government officials, industry partners, and visitors.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamicteam environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute research-related meetings, workshops, conferences, training events, and special events.
• Determine event requirements and allocate resources based on scope and priorities.
• Direct event logistics including room reservations, setup, catering, AV, registration, and materials.
• Lead planning of executive meetings, VIP visits, and stakeholder engagements.
• Develop event schedules, timelines, and checklists.
• Manage external vendors and oversee event arrangements.
• Provide on-site support and address operational issues during events.
• Conduct post-event reviews and collect feedback.
• Manage scheduling of conference rooms, labs, and collaborative spaces.
• Administer facility calendars and resolve competing requests.
• Coordinate room configurations and setup requirements.
• Serve as primary point of contact for facility users and visitors.
• Facilitate facility tours and customer orientations.

Skills

Exceptional customer service

Organizational skills

Time-management

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Department: Academic Affairs

Classification: GMU Worker

Job Category: Part-Time / Hourly Wage

Job Type: Part-Time

Location: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) at George Mason University serves as the university’s central hub for work forcedevelopment, executive education, and applied professionallearning. CPE partners with federal agencies, industry, and academic 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, and research centers to ensure programs are responsive, experiential,and aligned with federal workforce priorities. Mason Defense leads George Mason University’s efforts to expand and deliver 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

About the Position:

The Research Events & Facilities Operations Coordinator serves as the primary manager for federal research-related meetings,conferences, training programs, special events, facility scheduling, and visitor engagement activities. This position is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation and utilization of facilities and resources while delivering exceptional customer service to government, industry, academic, and community partners. Provides research subject matter expertise for delivering events and maintaining facilities compliant with appropriate policies.

The Coordinator oversees all research event logistics, facility reservations, customer intake, vendor coordination, visitor management, and day-to-day operational support. This role requires a highly organized, customer-focused professional who can manage multiple priorities, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and ensure a professional experience for all facility users and visitors.

Responsibilities:

Research Event and Conference Operations

• Coordinate and execute research-related meetings, workshops,conferences, training events, demonstrations, ceremonies, andspecial events and ensure they adhere to standard policies andprocedures;
• Independently determine event requirements, establish executionstrategies, and allocate operational resources based on eventscope, Stakeholder needs, risk, and available capacity;
• Exercise operational decision-making authority and directresearch-related event logistics including room reservations, setuprequirements, catering, audiovisual support, registration, attendeecommunications, and event materials;
• Lead the planning and execution of executive meetings, VIPvisits, government delegations, and stakeholder engagements;
• Develop event schedules, planning timelines, and operationalchecklists;
• Manage external vendors and stakeholders and oversee thesuccessful execution of event arrangements;
• Provide on-site support during events and authorize necessaryadjustments to resolve operational and technical, system-relatedissues; and
• Conduct post-event reviews and collect customer feedback.

Research Facility Operations and Scheduling

• Manage scheduling and utilization of conference rooms, meetingspaces, classrooms, laboratories, and collaborativeworkspaces;
• Administer facility calendars and scheduling systems, andresolve competing requests based on mission priorities, operationalrequirements, capacity, and risk;
• Coordinate room configurations and facility setuprequirements;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for facility users andvisitors;
• Assess facility readiness and direct the coordinationoperational support services; and
• Facilitate facility tours and customer orientations.

Customer Service and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary customer service representative forfacility users, visitors, and event participants;
• Mitigate and troubleshoot issues and concerns from customersand stakeholders with little to no supervision;
• Provide authoritative guidance regarding facility availability,event planning, operational support, policies, procedures, andservice options;
• Build and maintain positive relationships with government,industry, academic, and community partners; and
• Ensure a welcoming, professional, and customer-focusedenvironment.

Vendor and Administrative Coordination

• Coordinate and direct catering, audiovisual, transportation,hospitality, and other contracted services;
• Obtain quotes and assist with vendor managementactivities;
• Review and process invoices, purchase requests, andevent-related documentation;
• Maintain records, operational metrics, and utilization reports;and
• Responsible for budget tracking events and facilityoperations.

Operational Support

• Coordinate with property management, maintenance providers, andsecurity personnel;
• Assist with visitor access, badging, and facility securityprocedures; and
• Maintain inventory of event supplies and operationalmaterials.

Support outreach activities, community engagement events, andorganizational initiatives

Required Qualifications:

• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills;
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.;
• Ability to coordinate multiple events and activitiessimultaneously;
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through;
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Ability to interact professionally with senior leaders,government officials, industry partners, and visitors; and
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamicteam environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the federal government, federal innovationecosystems and research organizations.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for ResearchEvents & Facilities Operations Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date:

October 19, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:

November 2, 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, 0 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/