Job Description

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Gen Admin Supv 1/Coord 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax and/or SciTech campuses

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary range starting lower $60k; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) provides premier graduate and undergraduate applied information technology education focused on and responsive to the unique technology, management, leadership and innovation needs of government, government-related, and corporate employers by producing graduates able to lead, analyze, design, create, justify, implement, and sustain new, innovative IT-enabled processes.

About the Position:

The Administrative Manager provides senior-level administrative and operational support to the Department Chair while overseeing the day-to-day functions of the departmental office. This role serves as a key partner to departmental leadership, ensuring effective coordination of priorities, communications, and decision-support activities.
The position manages complex executive support functions, including calendar and correspondence management, preparation of briefings and reports, and coordination of leadership meetings and initiatives. Acting with a high degree of discretion and professionalism, the role facilitates communication between the Chair, faculty, and administrative staff.
In addition, the position provides leadership and supervision of administrative personnel and student employees, directing workflow, establishing priorities, and maintaining high standards of service and operational efficiency. The role ensures that administrative processes—including human resources, financial operations, academic review support, and departmental programs—are executed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with university policies.
This position plays a central role in maintaining effective office operations, supporting strategic initiatives, and enabling the department to achieve its academic and operational goals.

Responsibilities:

Executive Assistant to the Chair

• Serves as executive assistant to the Department Chair, managing complex calendar, correspondence, and prioritization of commitments to ensure alignment with departmental priorities;
• Screens and manages communications, including calls, emails, and visitors, exercising discretion and handling highly sensitive and confidential information;
• Prepares briefing materials, reports, presentations, and background information to support executive decision-making;
• Coordinates leadership meetings, including agenda development, materials preparation, and tracking of action items and follow-ups;
• Facilitates communication and coordination between the Chair, associate chairs, faculty, and administrative staff;
• Manages travel planning and logistics for the Chair, ensuring efficiency and compliance with university policies;
• Drafts and edits communications on behalf of the Chair, ensuring clarity, professionalism, and consistency; and
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the Department Chair and overall departmental operations.

Office Manager

• Manages daily office operations to ensure efficient, compliant, and high-quality administrative services across the department ensuring outstanding service to students, faculty and staff;
• Directly supervises administrative staff and student employees, including assigning work, setting priorities, and monitoring productivity;
• Develops staff schedules, assigns duties, and establishes performance expectations and annual goals;
• Provides ongoing coaching, guidance, and feedback; conducts performance evaluations and implements corrective actions as needed;
• Manages workflow across administrative personnel to ensure timely and effective support of departmental functions;
• Serves as primary escalation point for complex administrative issues, interpreting policies and resolving operational challenges;
• Ensures clear and timely communication of priorities, policies, and critical information between leadership and administrative staff;
• Maintains oversight of timekeeping records and personnel documentation for administrative staff (in coordination with Departmental Human Resources Support); and
• Oversees departmental space, facilities, telecommunications, and office resources, including space allocation and utilization.

Departmental Human Resources Support (Leadership and Oversight)

• Serves as Recruitment Search Coordinator and HR liaison for hiring processes;
• Oversees recruitment efforts, including job postings and hiring coordination;
• Manages hiring processes for adjunct faculty, GTAs, and wage employees, ensuring compliance with university policies;
• Leads onboarding and orientation processes for new hires;
• Supervises administrative staff and student employees, including scheduling and workload management; and
• Ensures accurate timekeeping and payroll coordination, including timesheet approval.

Purchasing and Financial Management (Oversight)

• Manages financial administration, including monthly reconciliation of departmental and startup accounts;
• Serves as Departmental Asset Liaison, maintaining inventory control and asset tracking;
• Oversees procurement and payment processes for vendors, events, and contracts; and
• Coordinates purchasing of office supplies, equipment, and instructional materials.

Administrative Support (Oversight and Coordination)

• Oversees administrative processes supporting departmental programs, including tracking contracts and related financial activities;
• Maintains effective records management systems and ensures compliance with documentation policies;
• Coordinates operational logistics such as work orders and room reservations;
• Leads planning and execution of department meetings and events, including logistics and payment coordination; and
• Ensures consistent administrative support to faculty, advisors, and instructional staff through delegation and guidance.

Academic Review Support (Coordination)

• Coordinates administrative support for accreditation and review processes (e.g., ABET, APR), ensuring timelines and documentation requirements are met;
• Maintains organized and accessible accreditation records;
• Coordinates data collection and analysis for student outcomes and program assessment;
• Supports preparation of reports and materials, including graphical and editorial content; and
• Coordinates administrative aspects of RPT (Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure) processes.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Prior experience in a role such as an Office Manager or Admin Specialist (including in a temp role);
• Prior experience with general office practices and equipment;
• Prior experience paying close attention to detail;
• Demonstrated direct, relevant experience with office and financial management, including experience with financial processes to include purchase requisitions, travel reimbursements, and financial/account reconciliation;
• Interpersonal and communication skills; exceptional verbal and written communication skills and strong organizational abilities;
• Customer service skills, diplomacy skills, and the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a large team of admin specialists;
• Ability to effectively handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously and anticipate and meet deadlines, while maintaining flexibility regarding changes in priorities;
• Self-motivated with an ability to multi-task as needed and work efficiently; and
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Demonstrated work experience (typically 5+ years) at a university, customer service, or administrative position;
• Familiarity with university setting, policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the ABET documentation principles;
• Knowledge of online education; and
• Knowledge and experience using university information support systems (e.g., eVA, MicroStrategy, and Banner).

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Administrative 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. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Posting Open Date: May 8, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 22, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia’s Technology Corridor

About the College:

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC has more than 11,000 students in fall 2025. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 326 instructional faculty, 100 are tenured, 64 are tenure-track, 100 are term faculty, and 62 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $66.8 million in awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunities for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region:

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future:

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, George Mason has committed to accelerating its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy—and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse, a new 355,000 square foot building, opened to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by George Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.