Director of Academic Engagement

Department: Costello College of Business

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

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development. Learn more at business.gmu.edu.

About the Position:

The Director of Academic Engagement is responsible for developing and overseeing immersive learning experiences like internships, study abroad opportunities, minor programs and community engagement projects for students in collaboration with faculty, internal partners, and external stakeholders. With a focus on supporting classroom instruction with enriching co-curricular activities this role supports the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Global Engagement and help deliver on the Costello Promise aligned with the strategic priority of Student Experience and Career Readiness. This position advises the Sr. Associate Dean in implementing academic programs, international pathways, and special initiatives and is responsible for setting and meeting strategic goals associated with global engagement initiatives on behalf of the Costello College of Business. The position supports the academic functions of the Costello research centers and provides assistance to the dean’s advisory subcommittees.

This position is open to current employees only.  External applicants will not be considered.

Responsibilities:

Academic Engagement

• Develops high impact multi-disciplinary programs and experiential leaning opportunities and enhance student success outcomes by:
  • Building high value joint programs with Colleges and Units within Mason;
  • Leading initiatives and committees with faculty to develop active project-based learning opportunities as well as impactful short-term courses and credits; 
  • Directing new initiatives for academic programs that support the strategic vision of Mason and the College of Business;
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• Responsible for setting strategic goals for global and academic achievement and develop high caliber programs to support strategic initiatives;
• Leads the implementation of various Costello initiatives like the College Honors program, co-curricular badges, curriculum redesign, collaboration with University Honors College, Camp Costello, writing across the curriculum and AI across the curriculum initiatives;
• Provides direction and data-driven recommendations to the capstone course coordinator to ameliorate course content and student learning;
• Increases opportunities for externships, internships, apprenticeships, traineeships and job placements;
• Oversees the facilitation of current and new programs to support student experiences in Living Learning Communities, Centers for Academic Excellence, and Student Organizations;
• Oversees academic programs analyst to provide program metrics and analytics to support decision making;
• Oversees the facilitation of current and new academic related center activities in collaboration with center directors to:
  • Enhance curriculum offerings aligned with center activities;
  • Manage advisory boards and other stakeholders;
  • Develop service-learning projects with the community;
• Develops a modular degree option in the undergraduate program by:
  • Leading committees of faculty, senior leaders, and staff to create a stackable model;
  • Working with area chairs and UPC to provide a pathway using current courses and concentrations Ensure the modular curriculum meets Assurance of Learning objectives; and
• Creates pro-formas and oversees and executes budgets for these multi-disciplinary programs to ensure that they are financially viable. 

Academic Programs

• Oversees multi-area concentrations (Financial Planning & Wealth Management and Business Analytics) as well as minor programs in coordination with respective directors to:
  • Evaluate the viability and sustainability of the programs;
  • Revise and monitor curriculum as needed;
  • Maintain the quality and variety of course offerings;
  • Develop relationships across the University to promote the programs;
  • Recruit qualified faculty to teach in the programs;
  • Provide feedback to areas and faculty regarding both course and program outcomes;
  • Engage with appropriate external stakeholders including advisory boards and corporate partners;
  • Ensure the respective curriculums remain current and meet professional standards and necessary Assurance of Learning objectives are met; and
  • Oversee the implementation of innovative experiential learning programs for Costello Centers of Excellence.

Global Engagement

• Lead global engagement activities by:
  • Building curriculum maps and program alignment to support pathways for international students;
  • Setting strategic goals and priorities related to global engagement initiatives for the Costello College of Business;
  • Leading efforts of the Costello College of Business in the development of global engagement initiatives for academic programs, faculty exchange and research, and short-term executive education and boutique themed summer programs at both Fairfax and Mason Korea campuses;
  • Oversight of the global engagement budget, make budgetary decisions based on need and strategic goals, and design budget requests for newly developed programs;
  • Coordinating with the undergraduate programs team and global engagement specialist to increase student participation in study abroad opportunities;
  • Responsible for grant opportunities to support global engagement efforts, including study abroad and faculty research and exchange;
  • Developing pathways to increase faculty participation in international research and teaching and maintain metrics of faculty engagement to support global engagement strategy and AACSB accreditation reporting standards;
  • Overseeing the curriculum changes and course offerings at the Mason Korea campus and lead efforts to develop the full offering of the BS in Business degree at the Korea campus;
  • Managing the curricular updates to current international pathway programs including joint graduate and undergraduate business degrees;
  • Facilitating building new global residency programs for graduate degree offerings;
  • Overseeing the creation of new graduate degree pathway programs to increase international student enrollment in graduate programs;
• Oversight of Costello programs at Mason Korea to:
• Manage the curriculum and academic programs oversight of business courses and programs offered at the Mason Korea campus;
• Facilitate smooth transition of students from MK to Fairfax in collaboration with the undergraduate programs team;
• Serve as the point person for program related queries like syllabus updates, student pathways, etc;
• Build collaborative programs for global partner institutions like semester abroad, short term immersion programs and program pathways; 
• Oversee the operations of CIE MK and ensure CIE MK is supported with the help of CIE director and the Fairfax team;
• Ensures that all global engagement initiatives with budget implications include revenue and budget plans that are financially viable and sustainable;
• Responsible for achieving strategic goals to further Costello’s Pan Asia and other global engagement initiatives; and
• Plans and executes special initiatives and programs related to global engagement on behalf of the Costello College of Business.

Performance Management / Staff Supervision

• Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the university's plans and vision and communicate them to subordinates;
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks;
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching;
• Receives complaints and resolves concerns;
• Maintains timekeeping and personnel records;
• Passes on information from upper management to employees and vice versa;
• Prepares and submits performance evaluations;
• Makes decisions regarding rewards and promotions based on performance;
• Hires and trains new employees; and
• Ensures adherence to legal and university policies and procedures and undertakes disciplinary actions if the need arises.

Other Duties

• Works with Outreach and Strategic Engagement team for funding opportunities in areas such as experiential learning, study abroad, etc. through local EDAs, corporate partners and other external stakeholders and support reporting needs;
• Coordinates with Director of Accreditation, Assessment, and Analytics, as well as Senior Director, Finance and Administration, to ensure that program-specific goals and metrics are implemented and periodically measured;
• Tracks and maintains records and databases of student engagement in experiential learning activities and prepare an annual report;
• Participates in student engagement and program focused events in the College;
• Works with others across the college and university as needed;
• Executes special initiatives and programs as assigned by the Sr. Associate Dean; and
• Supports the special programs offered by the dean’s advisory subcommittees and assist with the program planning, execution, and recruitment efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Extensive experience in Higher Education;
• Knowledge of academic policies and graduate and undergraduate curriculums; and
• Ability to interpret and implement new regulations and changes impacting international partnerships and curriculum pathway initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Experience in Business academia in Higher Education;
• Experience developing Academic Initiatives; and
• Knowledge of university and Costello College of Business academic policies and graduate and undergraduate curriculums.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director of Academic Engagement at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: May 4, 2026

Full Consideration Date: May 8, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes

Public research university offering undergraduate and graduate education programs.