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Maker Space and Events Manager

Employer
George Mason University
Location
Fairfax, VA
Salary
Up to $65,000; Commensurate with education and experience
Closing date
Aug 1, 2021

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Job Details

Maker Space and Events Manager

The George Mason University Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation invites applications for a Maker Space and Events Manager. 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 Department: Northern Virginia's tech economy is booming, and George Mason University is in the heart of the activity. For decades Mason has seen its role as an economic driver through entrepreneurship and small business support. George Mason University's Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (OEI) resides within the Provost's Office, and works collaboratively with stakeholders across the university and in the community to provide entrepreneurship opportunities and develop entrepreneurial mindsets. Mason Enterprise is a network of on-campus and off-campus purposeful collaboration spaces, programs, and events that focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, and encourages multi-disciplinary collaboration across all of Mason's schools and degree programs, as well as community start-ups. It is the place at Mason where groups can come together to develop ideas, research problems, craft solutions, and start companies.

Responsibilities: This key position will lead Mason Innovation Exchange's (MIX) programming and Maker Space, with principal responsibility for the implementation and growth of maker/innovator programs. The MIX is a maker space in the center of the Fairfax campus in a beautiful new innovation space ready to be programmed. The MIX Maker Space & Events Manager will: * Take the lead on recruiting, coordinating, and supervising MIX staff and students; * Work closely with Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI) leadership in the development of the operating budget and ensure budget compliance; * Collaborate across Mason's 3 campuses to ensure the smooth operation of the MIX facilities as well as the events and programs hosted by Mason; * Serve as the MIX curator, working to showcase entrepreneurship and innovation taking place across the university; * Collaborate with OEI leadership to continue building awareness and strengthen the Mason brand and communications efforts.

The MIX Maker Space & Events Manager serves as a resource to students and faculty members by providing instructional, technical, and administrative services. The Manager works under the supervision of the Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, but exercises discretion and independent judgment in managing the day-to-day operations of the makerspace. The Manager ensures that supplies are stocked and all equipment is in good working order; oversees safety policies and practices in the makerspace; manages the budget, including purchasing; collaborates with the various instructors to encourage student and faculty workflow between the departments and the MIX facilities; supervises student workers, including organizing regular staff meetings, hosting regular safety and training sessions with the student instructors overall, and working with the faculty, speakers and other instructors on programming and makerspace maintenance. The MIX Maker Space & Events Manager will: * Oversee MIX and Innovation Programming: ** Coordinate with Director of Entrepreneurship Programs on all aspects of MIX Maker/Innovation programming for students, faculty and staff including development and implementation; ** Engage with faculty to support multidisciplinary research, experiential learning courses, develop programming, and build community; ** Stay current on internal/external trends and best practices to help consistently inform and improve our offerings; ** Own overall responsibility for ensuring execution and quality of programs; ** Collaborate with the OEI staff on efforts to cross-pollinate, facilitate, and support the building of programs and research in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation.

* Manage MIX Maker Human and Physical Capital, and Operations: ** Define MIX staff roles and responsibilities, including the creation and maintenance of position descriptions; ** Collaborate with OEI to ensure smooth recruiting, onboarding, payroll processing, and termination of MIX staff, including student wage employees; ** Oversee the creation and maintenance of MIX staff scheduling and approve biweekly timesheets; ** Work with OEI team to ensure that appropriate key and access controls are issued to MIX staff and revoked as appropriate; ** Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for maintenance and safe use of maker equipment; ** Develop, track and report on appropriate metrics; ** Recognize and coordinate facility maintenance/repair needs.

* Develop and Manage MIX Maker/Innovation Program Budget: ** Assist with establishing and maintaining the budget for Maker/ Innovation programming; ** Search for possible funding opportunities; ** Provide regular budget reports; ** Determine goods and service needs with MIX staff; approve staff expenditures ensuring they support the goals of the program and are within budget guidelines; ** Work collaboratively with OEI Finance to process purchasing of goods and services required for the MIX.

* Build Awareness and Strengthen MIX Branding: ** Collaborate with OEI and MIX staff to promote collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the university and in the community; ** Represent Mason at internal and external events; ** Participate in MIX branding efforts; ** Oversee website development and collaborate with OEI/MIX team on communication strategies and execution; ** Foster a culture of risk-taking, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking; ** In line with our mission, facilitate collaborative collisions and support the resulting outcomes as it relates to innovation.

* Events Management (planning and managing events of varying sizes and purposes): ** Establish and maintain relationships with speakers and venues (MIX, Mason Enterprise Centers, Arlington Campus, non-GMU venues); ** Promote events within the university community (faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students) and to the ecosystem of small businesses and startups; ** Plan event details and aspects, including logistics, promotion of events, catering and audience list; ** Create reliable financial reports and collect payments on time; ** Manage budget and control costs; ** Manage events and address potential problems that may arise; ** Maintain a working knowledge of the complex needs of a wide variety of events; ** Manage the social media accounts for the events.

Required Qualifications: * Extensive courses beyond high school in technical training; or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position; * Basic understanding of and skills related to mechanical, construction, engineering and prototyping processes; * Experience collaborating with multiple teams; * Experience developing programs, recruiting and running events; * Entrepreneurial initiative toward creating and implementing new processes and systems within a dynamic university setting under pandemic and post-pandemic conditions; * Demonstrated ability to engage well and collaborate with others in this public-facing position such as (1) Experience with hands-on education, project-based learning, or prototyping (2) Experience teaching or tutoring others in a way that would have applicability to the makerspace, and/or (3) Experience helping students or others design hands-on projects; * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that are necessary for interactions with students, faculty, staff, and community partners; * Must be an independent worker who can multitask, is self-motivated, and well-organized; * Ability to learn tasks quickly and willing to take on new projects; * Budget management capabilities; * Adept with Microsoft business products; * Demonstrated ability to engage well and collaborate with others in this public-facing position: ** Makerspace programs; ** Developing, overseeing and teaching workshops; ** Purchasing and managing budgets; ** Event planning and management; ** Hands-on education, project-based learning, or prototyping; ** Teaching or tutoring others in a way that would have applicability to the makerspace; ** Helping students or others design hands-on projects. * Familiarity with some of the following technologies, processes, and tools: ** Gas-shielded arc welding; ** Sewing / weaving; ** Electronics; ** 3D printing; ** Composites; ** Laser cutters; ** Video and still cameras, microphones, and studio lighting; ** Wood- and metal-working; ** Design principles, including human-centered design and graphic design; ** Hand tools; ** Power tools (e.g., drills, drivers, reciprocating saws, chop saws, grinders). * Demonstrate ability to learn technologies, processes, and tools with which the candidate is not currently familiar.

Preferred Qualifications: * Bachelor's or advanced degree; * Demonstrated relevant experience (3+ years preferred, not necessarily in higher education); * Supervisory experience.

"For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ ; complete and submit the online application; and 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."

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Company

George Mason University is a university with three campuses, each with a distinctive academic focus that plays a critical role in the economy of its region. At each campus, students, faculty, and staff have full access to all the university's resources, while duplication of programs and support services is minimized through the use of technology. In addition to the main campus in Fairfax, the university has campuses in Arlington and Prince William Counties.

Company info
Website
Location
4400 University Dr
MSN 3C3
Fairfax
VA
22030
US

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