Assistant Director, MBA Programs

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: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

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.

George Mason has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment. Mason is highly ranked for its campus diversity and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 as the top-performing public university in Virginia for social mobility.

About the Position:

This position is primarily responsible for executing the day-to-day operations of the program including: student services, event planning, program logistics, and serves as liaison with MBA faculty. This position reports directly to and works under the supervision of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Academic Services. This position also has a dotted line reporting relationship to the MBA Program Director and works collaboratively with the Program Director to fulfill the needs of the program and students. The Program Director provides input to the direct supervisor on establishing goals/duties for the Assistant Director, as well as provides input on performance to be incorporated in the yearly annual evaluation. This position also assists the Director of Graduate Enrollment with recruitment as needed.

Responsibilities:

Supervision and Development:

• Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the university's plans and vision and communicate them to subordinates;
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks;
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching; receives complaints and resolves problems; maintains timekeeping and personnel records;
• Passes on information from upper management to employees and vice versa;
• Prepares and submits performance evaluations;
• Hires and trains new employees;
• Ensures adherence to legal and university policies and procedures and undertakes disciplinary actions if the need arises;
• Responsible for supervision and development of Graduate Program Manager (classified staff) which includes selection, motivation, and evaluation to assist in the incumbent's professional development and effectiveness;
• Proactively identifies and provides opportunities for the Graduate Program Manager's professional development;
• Supports and supervises wage employees and student workers hired to support for the MBA Programs, including delegating tasks and managing administrative projects to ensure hires are fully employed and best serving the needs of the graduate program; and
• Provides backup support to graduate programs Assistant Directors. 

Program Management:

• Manages day-to-day operations of the in-person MBA program including program logistics, elective selection logistics, and monitoring of budget;
• Coordinates and executes events geared towards onboarding, networking, information sessions, and celebration of MBA students;
• Responsible for developing and enhancing processes to enable the program to operate in a more successful manner;
• Provides input on budget planning and provide support and reports as needed for budget execution; and
• Assists other graduate programs Assistant Directors and Program Managers as needed.

Student Liaison and Advising:

• Serves as the point of contact for students in the in-person MBA program regarding academic advising, elective selection, graduate certificates, and policy compliance;
• Monitors students' degree progression and communicate registration requirements to Assistant Dean of Graduate Academic Services; and
• Serves as first level of escalation for student and faculty issues related to the in-person MBA program. 

Risepoint Online Program Support:

• Serves as main point of contact for Risepoint Student Success Coaches;
• Supports online students through communication and collaboration with Risepoint online team;
• Advises students transitioning between delivery modes;
• Works with faculty and Risepoint staff to coordinate course delivery schedule and monitor enrollments; and
• Serves as first level of escalation for student and faculty issues related to the online MBA program. 

LMS Organization Management:

• Works with graduate program team to maintain and update online orientation;
• Develops and maintains online content/data warehouse for all current MBA students; and
• Works with the graduate programs recruitment team to ensure new student section of LMS organization is up-to-date and accurate.

Strategic Planning, Recruitment, and Development:

• Responsible for contributing to strategy development, and implementation for the MBA program including program positioning, increasing competitive advantages, and partnering opportunities; and
• Supports graduate enrollment and admissions recruitment events.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated work experience in a related professional setting;
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and develop productive working relationships with multiple constituencies (i.e., students, faculty, staff, and alumni);
• Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interact effectively with others;
• Ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities;
• Ability to work with students and faculty in multiple modalities (in person and online);
• Ability to manage budgets;
• Excellent attention to detail with strong ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; and
• Strong customer service orientation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Expertise and experience working with graduate-level students and online programs;
• Experience in a graduate program setting;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of program administration;
• Familiarity with a university environment including an understanding of the organizational and governance structure of major colleges and universities; and
• Understanding the goals and objectives of the Costello College of Business and the MBA program.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Director, MBA Programs 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.

Posting Open Date:  February 5, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  February 21, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes