Senior Director, Federal Programs

George Mason University•Fairfax, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Federal Programs provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and business development direction for CPE’s involvement in Mason Defense’s federal portfolio. This position is responsible for building and managing a sustainable pipeline of federal opportunities, overseeing execution of complex federal programs, and coordinating multi-disciplinary matrixed teams across the university. The Senior Director ensures that all programs align with university policies, federal regulations, and the strategic priorities of Mason Defense and CPE.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Business Administration, Engineering, Defense Studies, Project/Program Management, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Progressively responsible experience (typically 10+ years) in federal program management, defense initiatives, or large-scale sponsored research
Demonstrated experience building and managing a federal business development pipeline
Strong knowledge of federal acquisition processes, FAR/DFARS, and sponsored research compliance
Proven ability to lead and influence matrixed teams across diverse academic and technical disciplines
Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
U.S. citizenship required
Active Top Secret (with a preference for SCI) or the ability to maintain a US security clearance is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in related field
Experience working with DoD, DHS, IC agencies, or federal R&D organizations
Experience managing multi‑million‑dollar federal portfolios
Demonstrated experience in leadership within higher education, federally funded research, or national security initiatives.

Responsibilities

Leads execution and oversight of federally funded programs within CPE
Establishes program plans, milestones, internal controls, and performance metrics
Manages program risks, resources, deliverables, and reporting requirements
Ensures high-quality program performance in accordance with federal and university standards.
Develops and executes a strategic plan to build a pipeline of new opportunities with DoD, Intelligence Community, DHS, and other federal sponsors
Leads capture planning, partner engagement, and proposal development
Maintains relationships with government sponsors, prime contractors, industry partners, and research collaborators
Identifies emerging federal needs and align opportunities with university expertise.
Coordinates multi-disciplinary teams involving faculty, researchers, administrative staff, and technical experts
Facilitates cross-campus collaboration to assemble competitive teams and capabilities
Ensures effective communication and alignment across colleges, institutes, and centers.
Ensures compliance with FAR, DFARS, OMB Uniform Guidance, agency-specific regulations, and GMU policies
Supports audits, sponsor reviews, and contract oversight
Serves as primary point of contact for federal sponsors and external partners
Provides briefings, reports, and strategic updates to university leadership.