Project Manager

About the Department:

The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 125 FTE. Functional units within Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services.

Advancement's mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University's alumni and constituents, while matching their philanthropic interests with the university's aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning. Respect, service, integrity, collaboration, transparency, and creativity are the values that guide our work and culture.

About the Position:

The Project Manager plays an integral role on the Advancement Communications and Donor Stewardship team. The PM is responsible for ensuring the tracking and monitoring of completion of day-to-day and long-term projects that align with team goals. The position is also responsible for coordinating with various vendors, stakeholders, and campus partners. Additionally, the PM, works with the team on crafting project-based campaign communications, both internal and external.

Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Timeline Management

• Oversees the development and maintenance of comprehensive project timelines for key stewardship, communications, and recognition initiatives, including scholarship reports, acknowledgments, videos, and newsletters;
• Serves as a central point of contact for project updates, meeting facilitation, deadline management, and stakeholder coordination, ensuring smooth execution and high-quality deliverables across all donor-facing communications;
• Prioritizes multiple projects and helps ensure accountability for team deliverables, ensures project alignment across teams, including timely delivery through status meetings and creative check-ins;
• Manages master content calendars to coordinate intake and assignment of creative and content requests and stewardship communications (letters, impact stories, reports, recognition touchpoints);
• Maintains organized documentation, shared assets, and customized stewardship plans for team access and reuse;
• Manages video production schedules, coordinates cross-functional workflows, tracks draft approvals, and maintains customized stewardship plans;
• Tracks effectiveness metrics (e.g., open rates, feedback), produces performance reports, and maintains organized documentation and shared assets for team accessibility;
• Coordinates backwards planning for seasonal milestones (e.g., fiscal year-end, Mason Vision Day, campaign pushes); and
• Supports system enhancements through testing and training coordination, partners with system administrators and technical leads to coordinate testing, implementation, and training for new systems or enhancements. 

Coordination with Central Advancement, Vendors, Schools, Colleges, Units

• Acts as the central liaison for coordination across Advancement units, external vendors, and university stakeholders;
• Manages deliverables, approvals, and logistics for design, print, and video projects, ensuring clear communication and timely execution; and
• Represents the office in cross-campus meetings and oversees intake processes to align expectations and maintain project timelines. 

Strategic and Internal Messaging

• Develops and delivers strategic internal communications to inform and engage Advancement colleagues, including campaign updates, project milestones, and departmental messaging;
• Crafts clear, persuasive content that fosters collaboration and represents the Donor Relations and Communications team effectively; and
• Supports leadership in articulating impact to internal and external audiences, and contributes to a culture of proactive communication and relationship-building across departments. 

Other Related Duties as Assigned

• Supports events, special initiatives, or team needs as appropriate;
• Contributes to team culture and innovation through brainstorming, feedback, and continuous improvement; and
• Assists with ad hoc reporting, operational tasks, and documentation. 

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in an administrative capacity (typically three to five years);
• Knowledge of project management software and best practices;
• Understanding of advancement, including fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, and prospect management;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to listen and express ideas and thoughts effectively to varying audiences;
• Strong proficiency in the use of Windows, Microsoft Office Suite, web browsers, and email, including skill in the use of Microsoft Outlook calendaring;
• Skill in coordinating teams;
• Skill in providing effective customer service;
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and perform multiple work assignments simultaneously;
• Ability to build and manage complex timelines, managing multiple competing priorities and deadlines;
• Ability to evaluate and synthesize performance data and information to assist in making business decisions;
• Ability to handle highly personal information with discretion and maintain confidentiality; and
• Strong attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• PMP or similar certification; and
• Experience supporting higher education fundraising.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Project Manager at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, including your current supervisor, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 9, 2025

Posting Close Date: September 29, 2025

Open Until Filled:  No