Senior Director, Planning, Design, and Construction

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

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

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities and Campuses Operations ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Position:

The Senior Director of Planning, Design, and Construction serves as the strategic team leader overseeing the university’s capital project delivery, space planning and interiors, and environmental graphics functions. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Facilities & Campus Operations, this role provides senior-level direction and day-to-day operational leadership for the implementation of George Mason University’s Capital Plan, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, financial stewardship, and design excellence.

Through a team of subordinate directors and managers, the Senior Director is responsible for the successful execution of major and minor construction projects, strategic space allocation, and the integration of environmental graphics and wayfinding across the campus. The role ensures compliance with regulatory standards, drives innovation and continuous improvement, and fosters a collaborative, service-oriented culture. As a key member of the university’s facilities leadership, the Senior Director plays a central role in shaping the built environment to support Mason’s academic mission and long-term growth.

Responsibilities:

Oversight of Planning, Design, and Construction

• Implements strategies set by the Associate Vice President of Facilities & Campus Operations and executes operational tactics in collaboration with senior administrators;
• Oversees staffing levels, workforce competency, and performance standards across all assigned teams;
• Develops, updates, and communicates standard operating procedures and performance metrics to ensure consistent and efficient operations;
• Promotes the use of technology and data analytics to improve operational efficiency, decision-making, and resource management;
• Manages critical systems such as eBuilder/Trimble, the university’s project management system;
• Mentors and supports functional leads, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence;
• Ensures compliance with university policies, building code and regulations, and operational standards across all functional areas;
• Collaborates closely with deans, department heads, and administrative leaders to understand and address planning, design, and construction needs;
• Maintains proactive communication with internal stakeholders and external agencies to ensure high service levels and rapid response to issues;
• Leads efforts to align facilities operations with institutional goals and compliance requirements;
• Oversees the Planning, Design, and Construction department’s operating budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities;
• Establishes budgetary controls, monitors expenditures, and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of operations;
• Manages the annual capital allocation from university sources;
• Maintains a transparent project tracking system through Trimble and provides reporting as needed to all stakeholders; and
• Analyzes financial data to support decision-making and long-term planning for facilities investments.

Supervision and Oversight of the Teams

• Provides strategic leadership and direction over Program Management, Space Planning & Interiors, and Graphics Program Management:
  • Serves as the senior strategic leader responsible for the execution of major capital, annual capital, and non-capital construction projects (approximately $75M–$300M annually), ensuring timely, budget-conscious, and high-quality delivery;
  • Provides executive oversight of all phases of project delivery, including planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning, through subordinate project management teams;
  • Directs the development and implementation of the university’s 6-Year Capital Plan and contribute to the 10-Year Master Plan, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities;
  • Attends the Capital Projects Working Group and represent Facilities & Campus Operations on executive-level committees as assigned;
  • Oversees compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, procurement policies, and university standards;
  • Leads the development and maintenance of Mason’s Design Standards and the Higher Education Capital Outlay (HECO) Manual;
  • Guides the implementation of performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor project progress and outcomes; and
  • Drives continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process enhancements that increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the capital program.

• Space Planning & Interiors:
  • Provides strategic direction and operational oversight for university-wide space planning, allocation, and utilization, ensuring alignment with academic, research, and administrative goals;
  • Supervises the development of project scopes, budgets, and design compliance for all interior renovations and space modifications;
  • Oversees the planning, procurement, and installation of furniture and equipment in accordance with state procurement guidelines;
  • Ensures effective coordination of office and departmental moves to minimize disruption and enhance user satisfaction;
  • Leads the development and use of space planning tools, data systems, and reporting mechanisms to support evidence-based decision-making;
  • Ensures that space planning efforts are fully integrated with capital project timelines and institutional growth strategies; and
  • Fosters a culture of service excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the space planning and interiors function.

• Graphics:
  • Provides strategic leadership for the integration of signage, wayfinding, and environmental graphics into all capital and non-capital projects, ensuring a cohesive and accessible campus environment;
  • Ensures consistency in brand implementation and visual identity across the built environment in alignment with university standards;
  • Oversees campus-wide initiatives related to signage, traffic flow, accessibility, and user navigation, ensuring they support a positive campus experience;
  • Engages with internal stakeholders to document and incorporate graphic and signage needs into project planning and execution;
  • Manages budgets and procurement processes for signage and graphics, ensuring cost-effective and timely delivery; and
  • Monitors the effectiveness of environmental graphics and lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance clarity, accessibility, and institutional branding. 

Staff Management and Performance

• Provides direct supervision and leadership to managers and staff within Project Management, Space Planning & Interiors, and Graphics;
• Establishes clear performance expectations, conducts regular evaluations, and supports professional development and training;
• Leads workforce planning, recruitment, and succession strategies to ensure operational continuity and institutional knowledge retention;
• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with the university’s mission and values;
• Promotes cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing among teams to drive innovation and operational excellence; and
• Works closely with Human Resources to ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional policies.

Other duties Other related duties as assigned by the Associate VP and the VP of F&CO

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Extensive progressively responsible experience in facilities planning, design, and construction;
• Significant senior leadership or supervisory role overseeing complex capital projects;
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, schedules, and multidisciplinary teams;
• Experience with contract negotiation, procurement processes, and regulatory compliance;
• Extensive experience in preparing and submitting funding requests, including capital budget proposals, grant applications, and justifications for supplemental funding;
• Experience aligning strategic initiatives with operational requirements;
• Successful experience in managing and resolving conflict, building consensus, and making sound judgments in a complex environment;
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management principles, including planning, execution, and risk mitigation;
• Expert-level understanding of architectural and engineering disciplines related to institutional design and construction;
• Comprehensive knowledge of major building systems and components, including maintenance and lifecycle replacement planning;
• Familiarity with capital project budgeting and accounting practices, including cost estimation, fund management, and financial reporting;
• Demonstrated understanding of contract negotiation and administration, including initial awards and change order processes;
• Demonstrated financial expertise, including capital budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling;
• Proficiency in project management software, space planning tools, and data visualization platforms;
• Skilled in preparing and delivering reports and presentations tailored to executive leadership, governing boards, and regulatory agencies;
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, construction, and operations;
• Ability to apply strategic thinking while managing complex operational responsibilities in a dynamic institutional environment;
• Documented success in delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and aligned with stakeholder expectations;
• Ability to analyze and present complex financial and technical data to a range of audiences with clarity and precision;
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus and foster collaboration among internal and external stakeholders; and
• Capacity to work effectively across departments and with external partners to advance institutional goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field;
• Registered Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, highly preferred;
• Facilities Management Professional (FMP) or Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP), and Project Management Professional (PMP) LEED, IFMA-SFP, etc. certification preferred;
• Significant, demonstrated senior-level experience in managing a large facility or construction operation, preferably in a university or non-profit environment;
• Familiarity with Virginia state procurement and capital project processes (or similar public-sector frameworks);
• Significant experience in higher education facilities and construction;
• Significant, demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and managing capital project management activities, preferably in a university or non-profit environment;
• Demonstrated experience overseeing the project management operations of a complex organization with various funding sources;
• Experience aligning strategic initiatives with financial plans and forecasts;
• Experience generating and interpreting reports in administrative database reporting systems such as eBuilder and MicroStrategy;
• Experience in digital strategy, implementation, and process improvement;
• Advanced skills in business process improvement, with a focus on workflow optimization and operational efficiency; and
• Knowledge of project management and master level knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, or electrical building systems.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Senior Director, Planning, Design, and Construction 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 1, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 9, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes