Director for ADVANCE: NOVA Mason

The George Mason University Academic Initiatives and Services invites applications for a Director for ADVANCE: NOVA Mason. George Mason University 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.

About the Position: The ADVANCE Director is responsible for leading and managing an innovative initiative that supports students starting at Northern Virginia Community College and graduating from George Mason University. The Director is expected to coordinate and manage aspects of the ADVANCE program, an equity-building initiative, working with key partners that may include education technology companies, regional employers, and public-school systems to promote and ensure operational success. Working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, this position manages a small team to support the responsibilities below.

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives and Services at Mason and the Chief Academic Officer of NOVA and in partnership with stakeholders at both institutions including University Life, Student and Academic Services, Enrollment Management, Information Technology Services, Academic Units at Mason and NOVA, the ADVANCE Director will: * Manage the coordination and operations of ADVANCE including cross-institutional planning, organizing and leading program activities; * In concert with executive leadership, develop and implement short-term/long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program; * Develop a program assessment and evaluation framework to identify the strengths of the program and areas of improvement; * Work cooperatively across George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College with varying executives, faculty and staff at all levels; * Provide strategic planning for the program and leadership to governance structure; * Negotiate and publish policies and practices agreed upon by ADVANCE Executive leadership; * Be responsible for budget development and planning and fundraising efforts; * Provide strong leadership and communication skills for team management across multiple institutions and reporting lines; * Be responsible for the development, supervision and management of positions; support the initiatives and responsibilities of Advance as the program grows; * Provide oversight to marketing, recruitment, and retention planning efforts; * Ensure that initiative, program and project business plans are sound; funding opportunities are identified; statements of work are current, accurate and followed; timelines are defined and deadlines are met; key performance indicators (KPIs) are identified and used; * Maintain consistent and accurate status information, a focus on data equity, clear documentation and an audit trail for the program, project and initiative; and * Follow the standard communication protocol for keeping key leadership and stakeholders informed of ADVANCE activities.

Required Qualifications: * Master's degree required; * Minimum of three (3) years of experience in either project, program, account or product management experience in a higher education and/or business environment; * Five (5) years or more of experience in higher education; * Proven experience with initiating, planning and directing implementation of complex projects/programs; * Evidence of ability to synthesize multiple ideas and program strategies into a comprehensive, executable plan; * Strong skills in budget development and management, organizing resources and establishing priorities; * Proven ability to collaborate with a diverse population of faculty, staff and key stakeholders; * Must be able to work well in teams and effectively communicate at all levels; * Passion to innovate, competent in analysis, reasoning, and problem solving; * Able to assess, identify and measure key performance indicators and other success metrics; * Highly motivated and energetic; * Strong presentation skills; and * Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications: * Background in the areas of staff development, student/customer relations, and change management; * Familiarity with shared data systems and basic data integration concepts; * Experience managing change in complex higher education environment with a detail orientation for both policy and operational management; and * Academic and Student Affairs experience preferred.

"For full consideration, applicants must apply to position number FA41Fz at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ ; complete and submit the online application; upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information."

"Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."