Director of Organizational Development and Learning

Department: Human Resources

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

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Human Resources Department advances the university’s mission by creating a people and culture ecosystem that attracts, develops, supports, and retains a talented and diverse workforce. The department delivers forward-looking policies, programs, and services that promote equity, well-being, professional growth, and organizational effectiveness. Through strategic partnership, innovation, data-informed practices, and a commitment to an inclusive and engaging workplace, Human Resources strengthens the experience and success of faculty and staff across the university.

About the Position:

The Director of Organizational Development and Learning (ODL) serves as a team leader and university expert in Organizational Development and Learning and partners with university administrators, faculty & staff to facilitate training programs and organizational development initiatives. This position identifies and implements new strategies, programs and enhance existing programs utilizing best practices to align with the university’s strategic direction.

Responsibilities:

Organizational Development Strategy

• In partnership with the AVP for Talent Development and Chief Learning Officer, develops and leads George Mason’s organizational development (OD) strategy, aligning talent development, culture, and workforce planning with the university’s mission and strategic plan;
• Serves as a strategic partner to senior leadership, advising on organizational effectiveness, change readiness, and long-term talent development needs;
• Partners with HR leadership team on succession planning, retention, and employee engagement initiatives to enhance George Mason’s employee value proposition; and
• Serves as a key partner in university-wide change management initiatives. 

Organizational Development & Culture

• Leads a high-performing team of OD Consultants who conduct assessments, diagnose organizational challenges, and design interventions to build stronger cultures and improve the employee experience across George Mason;
• Leads a proactive and data-driven approach to OD diagnoses and interventions;
• Serves as an OD partner and consultant to senior leaders, using innovative OD tools and methodologies;
• Partners with the Talent Development leadership team on strategies to enhance the employee experience; and
• Ensures ROI is measured and reported through program evaluation. 

Learning & Professional Development

• In partnership with the Chief Learning Officer, designs, implements, and assesses comprehensive professional learning programs for faculty, staff, and senior leaders;
• Oversees leadership development programs;
• Supervises and partners with the Assistant Director on a multi-year strategy to evolve George Mason’s leadership development competency modeling and programming;
• Oversees and drives strategy for MasonLEAPS, the employee learning management system;
• Directs onboarding programs for faculty and staff that support strong alignment with George Mason’s culture, values, and strategic priorities;
• Partners with HR leadership team to create strong employee retention programming;
• Responsible for the ADDIE process and ensuring program evaluation and continuous improvement;
• Responsible for ensuring all employee learning is data-informed, aligned with strategy, and compliant with internal policies, Commonwealth, and federal law;
• Responsible for accessibility in all L&D offerings;
• Leads a Strengths-based development approach for faculty/staff; and
• Serves as a key stakeholder for Mason’s Gallup Strengths budget and partnership. 

Consultation & Coaching

• Provides consultation to leaders;
• Directs OD consultants and partner with HR Business Partners and unit HR leaders in strategic planning, team and organization development, conflict resolution, and organizational effectiveness strategies;
• Facilitates retreats and strategic planning for leadership teams, committees, and other university clients; and
• Serves as a workplace coach and, with the AVP and Coaching Manager, drives strategy toward a university coaching culture. 

Project and Team Management and Operations

• Manages OD and learning portfolios, including prioritization, timeline management, and resource allocation;
• Responsible for planning, execution, evaluation, budget management, and continuous evolution of professional development opportunities for Mason faculty and staff, including conference-style learning and engagement events;
• Collaborates with vendors and consultants to optimize professional development offerings across the university;
• Develops metrics and direct the ODL Dashboard to track meaningful outcomes and drives alignment with HR’s and university's strategy; and
• Partners on working groups and committees on university-wide initiatives. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Organizational Development, Human Resources, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience;
• Extensive progressively responsible experience (typically ten or more years) in employee learning and development, organization development, human resources, or a related area, with a demonstrated record of success in a large and complex organizational environment;
• Significant supervisory and leadership experience, including managing professional staff and leading cross-functional initiatives;
• Demonstrated expertise in adult learning and organization development, with workplace coaching experience preferred;
• Significant experience in classroom facilitation;
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives and to develop and implement enterprise-level strategies related to organizational development and learning;
• Advanced knowledge of human resources practices and principles in the areas of employee learning, coaching, and organization development;
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and instructional design systems;
• Knowledge and experience developing traditional, online and blended learning methods for adults;
• Knowledge of a variety of employee learning and development theories and best practices in the areas such as leadership, coaching, employee development and career development;
• Knowledgeable of different learning and OD tools/applications;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, work effectively in a team environment, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and prioritize work and meet deadlines;
• Ability to effectively collaborate and partner with other areas in HR and on campus to increase employee engagement and productivity;
• Ability to advise a diverse workforce in a professional manner and maintain confidentiality; and
• Ability to regularly exercise discretionary actions, professional discretion and judgement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPTD, SHRM-SCP, ACC certifications;
• Progressive HR experience in a university setting or large complex employer; and
• Knowledge of the VA Commonwealth’s and Federal regulatory training requirements preferred.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director of Organizational Development and Learning 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: December 17, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 13, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes