Project Manager, Federal Programs

Project Manager, Federal ProgramsThe Project Manager (Federal Contracts) supports federal, defense, and national-security-aligned programs within George Mason University's Mason Defense initiative within CPE. This role oversees the planning, coordination, and delivery of federal contract-funded programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, high-quality program execution, and alignment with Mason's mission to advance workforce readiness and national security education.Responsibilities:Project Leadership and ExecutionLeads end-to-end delivery of federal and defense-aligned programs operated through Mason Defense and CPE;Develops, manages, and tracks program schedules, milestones, and deliverables; andCoordinates with internal GMU units, faculty, partner organizations, government stakeholders, and subcontractors.Contract and Compliance ManagementEnsures adherence to FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific federal acquisition regulations;Manages contract deliverables, reporting, documentation, audits, and compliance protocols; andPartners with GMU's Office of Sponsored Programs and other internal compliance teams as needed.Financial and Budget OversightTracks budgets, expenditures, invoices, and financial forecasts for defense-funded programs; andSupports cost proposals, budget modifications, and pricing for new or expanding contract efforts.Stakeholder CommunicationServes as a primary liaison between government sponsors, GMU leadership, and program teams;Provides executive-level updates, briefings, and performance summaries; andCommunicates program status across Mason Defense, CPE, and university partners.Team and Vendor CoordinationSupports staffing, onboarding, and resource allocation for program personnel;Oversees subcontractor work to ensure quality and compliance; andFacilitates coordination with faculty, instructional designers, and subject-matter experts for training-based programs.Other duties as assigned from time to timeRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Public Administration, Engineering, IT, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;Generally, 5+ years of project management experience, including typically 3+ years supporting federal or defense government programs;Experience delivering programs under FFP, T&M, or Cost-Plus contracts;Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal procurement regulations;Excellent organizational, communication, and documentation capabilities;Proficiency in tools such as MS Project, SharePoint, Smartsheet, or Jira;U.S. citizenship required; andActive (Clearance Level) or the ability to maintain a US security clearance is required.Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in related field;PMP, CAPM, Agile/Scrum, or DoD program management certification;Experience supporting defense-focused entities (DoD, DHS, IC, DoN, Army, Air Force);Experience with federal workforce development, training programs, or university-based contract management; andFamiliarity with Earned Value Management (EVM).Instructions to Applicants:For full consideration, applicants must apply for Project Manager, Federal Programs at 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.Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer