Senior Director, Planning, Design, and Construction

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

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 visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities and Campuses Operations ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Position:

The Senior Director of Planning, Design, and Construction serves as the strategic team leader overseeing the university’s capital project delivery, space planning and interiors, and environmental graphics functions. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Facilities & Campus Operations, this role provides senior-level direction and day-to-day operational leadership for the implementation of George Mason University’s Capital Plan, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, financial stewardship, and design excellence.

Through a team of subordinate directors and managers, the Senior Director is responsible for the successful execution of major and minor construction projects, strategic space allocation, and the integration of environmental graphics and wayfinding across the campus. The role ensures compliance with regulatory standards, drives innovation and continuous improvement, and fosters a collaborative, service-oriented culture. As a key member of the university’s facilities leadership, the Senior Director plays a central role in shaping the built environment to support Mason’s academic mission and long-term growth.

Responsibilities:

Oversight of Planning, Design, and Construction

• Implements strategies set by the Associate Vice President of Facilities & Campus Operations and executes operational tactics in collaboration with senior administrators;
• Oversees staffing levels, workforce competency, and performance standards across all assigned teams;
• Develops, updates, and communicates standard operating procedures and performance metrics to ensure consistent and efficient operations;
• Promotes the use of technology and data analytics to improve operational efficiency, decision-making, and resource management;
• Manages critical systems such as eBuilder/Trimble, the university’s project management system;
• Mentors and supports functional leads, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence;
• Ensures compliance with university policies, building code and regulations, and operational standards across all functional areas;
• Collaborates closely with deans, department heads, and administrative leaders to understand and address planning, design, and construction needs;
• Maintains proactive communication with internal stakeholders and external agencies to ensure high service levels and rapid response to issues;
• Leads efforts to align facilities operations with institutional goals and compliance requirements;
• Oversees the Planning, Design, and Construction department’s operating budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities;
• Establishes budgetary controls, monitors expenditures, and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of operations;
• Manages the annual capital allocation from university sources;
• Maintains a transparent project tracking system through Trimble and provides reporting as needed to all stakeholders; and
• Analyzes financial data to support decision-making and long-term planning for facilities investments.

Supervision and Oversight of the Teams

• Provides strategic leadership and direction over Program Management, Space Planning & Interiors, and Graphics Program Management:
  • Serves as the senior strategic leader responsible for the execution of major capital, annual capital, and non-capital construction projects (approximately $75M–$300M annually), ensuring timely, budget-conscious, and high-quality delivery;
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