Graduate Program Manager

Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

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: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development. Learn more at business.gmu.edu.

About the Position:

The Graduate Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of graduate programs, to include: student services, event planning, program logistics, and liaising with the faculty.  This position supports the MS in Accounting and Accounting Graduate Certificate programs; however, responsibilities may shift based on operational need, and this position may be assigned to, or assist with, other programs based on enrollment or other factors.

Responsibilities:

Student Liaison and Advising

• Serves as the main point of contact for students in the assigned graduate programs regarding academic advising for new and current graduate students;
• Answers questions from students regarding scheduling, registration, program requirements, graduation, and policy compliance;
• Manages student communications and engagement through a variety of platforms including Salesforce, LinkedIn, and email;
• Communicates general announcements on behalf of the graduate program and other constituents;
• Organizes and runs meetings and student engagement events to solicit student feedback and share program updates and announcements throughout the academic year;
• Monitors students' degree progression and communicates registration requirements to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Academic Services;
• Provides advising to pathway students into degree program (e.g., INTO Mason, Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's, graduate certificates);
• Works with INTO advisors to plan appropriate orientation and advising for the program; and
• Serves as staff advisor to student groups and organizations.

Program Operations

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the assigned graduate programs including program logistics, global residency logistics if applicable, and monitoring of expenses;
• Provides input on budget planning and provides support and reports as needed for budget execution;
• Develops and enhances processes to enable the program to operate more efficiently and in a more successful manner;
• Coordinates with the Costello Marketing and Communication team, maintains social media accounts including LinkedIn for programs and creates posts that adhere to brand standards; and
• Assists other graduate programs Assistant Directors and Program Managers as needed.

Event Planning and Recruitment Support

• Manages event planning for program events (e.g., Program Immersion, graduation events, advising events, networking events, and industry events);
• Ensures all events are properly planned, scheduled, and communicated to students and other key stakeholders;
• Supports the planning and execution of recruitment events in support of assigned graduate programs; and
• Represents graduate admissions at Accelerated Master’s campus events.

Recruitment Support and Enrollment Planning

• Schedules and arranges prospective student class visits; and
• Maintains records of multiple pathways into the assigned graduate programs and utilizes admissions databases to assist faculty and admissions staff in decisions about admissions and enrollment management for the graduate program.

Strategic Planning and Development

• Responsible for contributing to strategy development and implementation for the assigned graduate programs including program positioning, increasing competitive advantages, and partnering opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated work experience in a related professional setting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Microsoft office suite, and ability to produce reports and visuals using Microsoft applications;
• Knowledge of or ability to learn multiple higher education software or products including Salesforce, Canvas, Banner, and other platforms needed to be successful in the role;
• Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interact effectively and relate well to others, exercising a strong customer service orientation;
• Demonstrated ability to serve as part of a team and develop productive working relationships with multiple constituencies (i.e., student, faculty, staff, and alumni);
• Excellent attention to detail with strong ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; and
• Familiarity with a university environment including an understanding of the organizational and governance structure of major colleges and universities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Expertise and experience working with graduate-level students and online programs;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of program administration and experience in a graduate program setting; and
• Understanding of the goals and objectives of the Costello College of Business graduate programs.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Graduate Program Manager 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 15, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  August 29, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes