Project Manager, Federal Programs

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 visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Security Clearance Check: Yes

Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) at George Mason University serves as the university’s central hub for workforce development, executive education, and applied professional learning. CPE partners with federal agencies, industry, and academic units across Mason to design and deliver high‑impact training programs that strengthen the region’s talent pipeline.

CPE supports strategic university initiatives by offering flexible,mission‑aligned programs—including short courses, certificate programs, customized federal training, and large‑scale workforceskilling efforts that advance organizational performance and address 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.

CPE also supports George Mason University’s efforts to expand and deliver impactful defense and national security programs through applied research, federal partnerships, workforce development, and strategic initiatives. The department collaborates closely with academic units, research centers, and federal agencies to advance mission-critical national security objectives.

The Project Manager (Federal Contracts) supports federal, defense,and national‑security‑aligned programs within George Mason University’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.

• 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, partner organizations, government stakeholders, and subcontractors.

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

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

• 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, and university partners.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Public Administration, Engineering, IT, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, 5+ years of project management experience, includingtypically 3+ years supporting federal or defense government programs;
• 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…