George Mason University

Manager, University Policy and Enterprise Risk

Closes: Oct 18, 2026

Department: Enterprise Risk Management

Classification: Policy & Planning Specialist 2

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: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) exists to promote institutional resilience by identifying, assessing, and managing risks that could affect the university’s mission. The unit also oversees policy management and building code compliance to ensure clear, consistent, and accountable governance across the institution. Through collaboration, transparency, and proactive guidance, it supports informed decision‑making and strengthens the university’s culture of integrity and risk awareness.

About the Position:

The Manager, University Policy and Enterprise Risk serves as the lead on development, review, approval, and renewals of university policies. This includes ensuring policies are clear, compliant, and aligned with strategic goals, while identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that could impact operations, reputation, finances, or regulatory compliance. This is an individual contributor role with significant cross-functional leadership responsibility.

Responsibilities:

Policy Development, Management & Governance Support:

Serves as the University Policy Manager coordinating the full lifecycle of institutional policies, including providing information to policy owners as they draft and revise policies, providing feedback and advice to policy owners, managing the review process by the Policy Management Group, facilitating approval, publishing policies to the policy website, and archiving;

Provides advice and guidance to policy owners regarding required processes, templates, timelines, and governance structures;

Maintains the policy repository and ensures version control, consistency, and clarity in policy language;

Supports transparency by keeping the website up-to-date with current policies listed and helpful information posted to enable the policy management process; and

Contributes to policy management efficiency and effectiveness by updating practices and approaches to university policy management as needed.

Enterprise Risk Management:

Serves as a thought partner to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) in continuous improvement of the university’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework;
Identifies, assesses, and prioritizes institutional risks across academic, operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational domains;
Facilitates regular risk assessments with leadership and key stakeholders across units;
Maintains the university’s enterprise risk register and other key ERM documents and data, ensuring risks are documented, evaluated, and updated regularly;
Designs and works with risk owners to implement risk mitigation strategies and action plans to reduce exposure and strengthen organizational resilience;
Monitors emerging risks and trends (e.g., regulatory changes, cybersecurity threats, enrollment shifts) and advises leadership accordingly;
Works in partnership with the CRO to establish key risk indicators (KRIs) and metrics to track risk levels and effectiveness of mitigation efforts;
Provides advice for integrating risk management practices into strategic planning, decision-making, and business processes; and
Evaluates the effectiveness of existing controls and recommends improvements where needed.

Communication & Collaboration:

Works with policy owners to develop policy-specific communication plans;
Promotes a risk-aware culture through training, communication, and stakeholder engagement;
Collaborates with internal audit, compliance, legal, and policy teams to ensure alignment of risk management activities; and
Owns project execution for policy and risk workstreams, including establishing structures, tracking requests, organizing and leading meetings, and driving accountability for deliverables across cross-functional stakeholders.

Other Related Duties as Assigned:

Related tasks assigned by the supervisor and department head.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
Experience (typically 5-7 years) in policy management, enterprise risk management, compliance coordination, or organizational governance;
Experience working with governance committees, policy owners, auditors, or risk stewards;
Experience developing training materials, process documentation, or guidance related to policy, compliance, or risk practices;
Experience using project management or risk tracking tools, workflow systems, or document management platforms;
Experience interpreting regulatory or accreditation requirements relevant to institutional policy and compliance environments;
Knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks (e.g., COSO ERM, ISO 31000) and higher education governance/compliance environments;
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess risk and develop practical mitigation strategies;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including policy drafting and executive-level reporting;
Ability to engage stakeholders and facilitate cross-functional collaboration and risk discussions;
Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable guidance for diverse audiences;
Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple priorities effectively;
Ability to apply a strategic, proactive mindset with adaptability to evolving risks and regulatory requirements; and
Sound judgment, integrity, and ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in related field;
Professional certification or advanced training in risk management, audit, compliance, or governance (e.g., CRMP, CERM, CIA, PMP);
Experience (typically 7+ years) that includes both policy management and enterprise risk management, preferably in higher education or a similarly complex organization;
Advanced experience leading or maturing enterprise-wide policy or ERM programs, including implementing governance frameworks and driving cross-functional adoption at scale; and
Experience implementing ERM programs or policy frameworks in a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Manager, University Policy and Enterprise Risk at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date: August 17, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 31, 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/

This is a Preview Listing…

Finalise to make live.

Find Your Best Opportunity

Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!

About the employer

George Mason University

3.5 Star Employer Ranking

AcademicJobs.com is the premier platform to discover GMU jobs, connecting talented professionals with exceptional career opportunities at one of Virginia’s largest and most innovative public research universities. George Mason University (GMU), with campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Manassas, Virginia, is renowned for its dynamic research programs and commitment to accessible education, making GMU uni jobs highly sought after by academics and professionals globally. GMU careers offer a vibrant and collaborative environment for individuals to thrive. GMU university careers span a diverse range of disciplines, reflecting the university’s key areas of academic specialization, including public policy, information technology, economics, health sciences, and conflict resolution. Employment GMU includes roles such as professors, research fellows, lecturers, and professional staff positions, catering to various expertise levels. For those pursuing GMU jobs Virginia, the university’s modern campuses provide a collaborative workplace in the culturally rich and rapidly growing Northern Virginia region near Washington, D.C. GMU vacancies and job postings are showcased on AcademicJobs.com, where candidates can explore opportunities in teaching, cutting-edge research, and administrative roles. Jobs at GMU cover fields like cybersecurity, global affairs, and environmental sustainability, aligning with the university’s mission to address pressing societal challenges through innovation and scholarship. Each GMU vacancy is an opportunity to contribute to impactful projects within a diverse academic community. GMU Employment Opportunities are extensive, with GMU job Opportunities ranging from academic faculty to technical and operational roles. A GMU Career offers the chance to join an institution that values diversity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. GMU uni openings are regularly updated on AcademicJobs.com, ensuring access to the latest GMU vacancies. Jobs at GMU uni are ideal for those passionate about advancing knowledge and fostering societal progress. GMU job postings include positions in psychology, education, and professional services such as IT and student support. GMU Employment through AcademicJobs.com connects talented individuals with GMU Uni vacancies, providing a seamless pathway to join a forward-thinking university driving regional and global impact.

Visit the employer page

Hire Experts… Post a Job

Post a Job

Roles… Create a Job Alert

Related Jobs

October 16, 2026

View All Jobs

Mesa, Arizona57

View all research grants →

Related Conferences

To Be AnnouncedUnited States

Manager, University Policy and Enterprise Risk