Program Manager, Federal Programs

About the Department:

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 workforce skilling efforts-that advance organizational performance and address emerging national security, defense, and technology needs. As part of GMU’s research and innovation ecosystem, CPE collaborates 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.

About the Position:

The Program Manager leads and oversees federally funded contract programs supporting research, academic initiatives, or strategic operations with George Mason University’s Mason Defense initiative within CPE. The Program Manager ensures effective program execution, compliance with federal regulations, financial stewardship, and seamless collaboration with university stakeholders, federal sponsors, subcontractors, and research teams. This role is essential in maintaining Mason’s commitment to high‐impact research, national security partnerships, and efficient contract performance.

Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Execution

• Leads the planning, execution, and delivery of federal contract program objectives in alignment with university policies and sponsor requirements;
• Oversees project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics; and
• Facilitates collaboration between faculty researchers, administrative staff, technical teams, federal sponsors, and subcontractors.

Contract and Compliance Management

• Ensures program operations comply with FAR, DFARS, OMB Uniform Guidance, federal agency regulations, and George Mason University standards;
• Monitors contract modifications, deliverables, reporting requirements, and documentation; and
• Supports audits, site visits, and federal reviews, ensuring timely and accurate submission of required materials.

Financial Oversight and Budget Management

• Develops and manages program budgets, forecasts, spending plans, and cost-tracking mechanisms;
• Ensures compliance with federal cost principles and university financial policies; and
• Assists in developing budgets for contract extensions, expansions, or renewal proposals.

Stakeholder Communication

• Serves as the primary liaison between George Mason University and federal sponsors;
• Prepares and presents program briefings, updates, and performance reports; and
• Coordinates meetings, workshops, and reviews with internal and external partners.

Team and Resource Coordination

• Supports hiring, onboarding, and supervision of program staff, researchers, and subcontractors;
• Assigns work, monitors performance, and ensures appropriate resource allocation; and
• Promotes a collaborative working environment across teams and partner institutions.

Strategic and Operational Support

• Supports proposal development, capture activities, and strategic planning for future sponsored programs;
• Identifies process improvements and implement efficiencies across program operations; and
• Ensures long-term sustainability and growth of the program’s contract portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project/Program Management, Engineering, Public Policy, Information Technology, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, 7+ years of program or project management experience, with typically at least 3 years managing U.S. federal contracts;
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, federal procurement, and sponsored research compliance;
• Demonstrated success managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex program environments;
• Excellent communication, strategic planning, and analytical skills;
• Proficiency with project management tools, reporting systems, and MS Office applications;
• U.S. citizenship required; and
• Active TS/SCI or the ability to maintain a US security clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience working within higher education or research institutions;
• Experience with DoD, DHS, NSF, NIH, DARPA, or other federal research sponsors; and
• Familiarity with university research administration systems and processes.