Senior Graduate Academic Affairs Coordinator

Department: Academic Affairs 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 visasponsorship Pay Band: 04 Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience;salary range is between $62K - $66K Criminal Background Check: Yes About the Department Part of the Office of the Provost, under the Academic AffairsDivision, the Graduate Division elevates Mason graduate educationby augmenting the work of the academic units by increasing theimpact of graduate students and programs, fostering a collaborativeculture of academic excellence, and contributing to the researchproductivity and the workforce development appropriate to an R1institution. About the Position The Senior Graduate Academic Affairs Coordinator provideshigh-level support to the Graduate Division and its key constituentgroups by managing graduate academic policies and procedures,coordinating student exception and appeal processes, andcontributing to the development and enhancement of graduateacademic workflows. This position reports to Senior Director ofGraduate Academic Affairs and Initiatives. Responsibilities Lead the review and processing of graduate student requests forexceptions to academic and admissions policies, as well as academicappeals, ensuring alignment with institutional policies andguidelines; For complex exception cases, manage the full exception topolicy process: review initial submissions using internal systems,identify and request additional documentation, conduct criticalanalysis based on policy criteria, and draft a comprehensivesummary with recommendations for supervisory review and discussion.Prepare and deliver oral briefings, draft final decisions, andensure timely communication with student, faculty, and staff, andmaintain proper records of management; Manage the graduate student appeals process involving facultyreview committees: conduct thorough review of student submissions,prepare and distribute materials, brief committee members on keyissues, facilitate communication between stakeholders, and ensuretimely resolution and notification of outcomes to students andstakeholders; Serve as the primary resource for inquiries related to academicexceptions and appeals, ensuring timely, accurate responses; Oversee internal record management processes so they arecarried out in compliance with accreditation and universityprocedures and lead any needed enhancements; Manage graduate student leave of absence requests, includingreview of submissions, follow-up for additional documentation,eligibility evaluation based on academic policy, engagement withstudents and stakeholders as needed, and communication of outcomesusing established workflows; Maintain strict confidentiality of all student records andsensitive information in accordance with university policy;and Utilize available data to support the supervisor in assessingimplementation of new policies and procedures, and in identifyingtrends and gaps in policy exception requests. Graduate Policy and Procedures Contribute to the development of new and enhanced graduatestudent academic and admissions policies through review, issueidentification, and assist in gathering input fromstakeholders; Collaborate with graduate partners to ensure creation,implementation, and communication of procedures and processes thatenhance the graduate student experience and assist in ensuringunits’ compliance with existing graduate university, academic, andadmission policies through analysis of available data anduniversity engagement; and Work with the Graduate Division Operations team to identify andprovide information relating to requirements, updates, andmaintenance needs that ensure accurate graduate academic andadmissions policy and procedures information is presented onrelevant webpages. Communication and Outreach Assist with the development and implementation of relevantpolicies and procedures and the management of communication withall graduate policies and procedures; Contribute towards presentations and training related tograduate education of new faculty and staff through written andverbal communication; Serve as a primary liaison for academic units andadministration on the use of systems related to graduate academicand admissions policies and procedures; and Chair college/school graduate academic affairs workinggroup. Technology Support and Data Management Help monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existingacademic affairs technology and data management tools foroperational efficiency; Collaborate with Graduate Division partners to supportinnovations in graduate academic electronic workflows and otherrelated technologies to address graduate education needs acrossacademic units and elevate the graduate student experience;and Help facilitate and participate in the testing of newtechnologies and processes. Engage with schools and colleges togather feedback regarding impact. Graduate Council Support Support the planning and operations of the Graduate Council bycoordinating key administrative functions, including thedevelopment and editing of policy documents, monitoring chat roomquestions and discussions, and ensuring meeting minutes arecomplete by assigned staff; and Ensure timely execution of follow-up actions, including catalogentries, and assisting in the development of the Council’s annualagenda in collaboration with the supervisor. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalentcombination of education and experience; Generally, 2-4 years experience as a professional in afast-paced office environment, and strong stakeholder or customerservice experience; Experience with policies, codes, regulations, rules orlaws; Knowledge of and familiarity with applying policies andprocedures to presented circumstances coupled with the ability tofacilitate the administration of related processes; Knowledge of effective communication and stakeholder managementtechniques to professionally engage with a wide variety ofstakeholders; Skill in information gathering, analysis, and clear, concisewritten and verbal presentation; Skill in operating applicable office equipment and software,including MS Office and Adobe products, and the ability to learnand utilize new technology; Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple tasksconcurrently in a professional setting to ensure timely completionthat meets deadlines; Ability to proactively identify needs and assist in developmentand execution of solutions; Ability to produce high-quality, detail-oriented workindependently and collaboratively; and Ability to manage information and records while maintainingconfidentiality and compliance with requirements for student andGraduate Division materials and discussions. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in related field; Experience in higher education at the graduate studentlevel; Experience with George Mason higher education studentinformation and reporting tools; Knowledge of higher education academic processes and ability tocommunicate them; Knowledge and interest in issues impacting graduateeducation; Skill in data collection and assessment; and Demonstrated familiarity, skill, and interest in highereducation operations and technology. Posting Open Date September 18, 2026 For Full Consideration, Apply by October 9, 2026 Open Until Filled Yes Mason Ad Statement George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials. George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought. Equity Statement George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foret employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law. Campus Safety Information Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at #J-18808-Ljbffr George Mason University