Mason Square Programming Coordinator

Department: UL

Classification: Public Relations & Mktg Spec 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Salary range starting in the upper $40k's; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

University Life at the Regional Campuses of George Mason University proactively promotes and supports the academic, personal and professional development of students by:
*Facilitating curricular and co-curricular programs and services;
*Cultivating partnerships that draw upon the unique resources of each campus to support student success;
*Strengthening connections with the Fairfax campus, while collaboratively and strategically supporting unique and evolving identities of the regional campus communities; and
*Creating a welcoming, all-inclusive and non-judgmental environment that affirms mutual respect, confidentiality, and accessibility.

About the Position:

The Programming Coordinator is responsible for the coordination and facilitation of University Life events at Regional Campuses, with primary responsibility for programming at the Mason Square Campus. The position serves as a primary University Life contact for programming, including but not limited to Mason Square Plaza Activation and student-focused initiatives. The Programming Coordinator maintains contact with relevant constituents regarding the planning, marketing, and execution and is responsible for the overall management of Plaza-focused programming, as well as supporting the greater University Life programming vision. Reporting to the Associate Director, Mason Square, the Programming Coordinator works to establish consistency and efficiencies throughout the programming vision at Mason Square and provides key support for University Life Regional Campuses marketing, communications, and event promotion efforts.

Responsibilities:

Programming, Planning, & Execution of Mason Square Plaza Programming Initiative

• In partnership with the Director and Associate Director of University Life Mason Square, supports the UL vision and execution for all programmatic areas of the Mason Square campus;
• Provides Mason Square programmatic assistance and support to UL Regional Campuses, Arlington Administration, and other key Arlington academic and administrative stakeholders;
• Oversees all marketing for UL Mason Square Plaza programming, including but not limited to print, social media, newsletters, and email distribution lists;
• Provides effective customer service and creates a welcoming environment for students, the Mason community, and all visitors to enhance their overall educational experience at the Mason Square Campus;
• Performs daily routine tasks to ensure the smooth operation and execution of the Mason Square Plaza programming model, so that a positive image is portrayed to the Mason Square campus community;
• Purchases and inventories all supplies using corporate purchase card and the procurement system to ensure fundamental supplies are always on hand and workflow is uninterrupted;
• Conducts regular inventory and maintains supplies in an orderly fashion to facilitate staff access;
• Using Microsoft Outlook, assists in scheduling appointments and meetings for stakeholders as needed; and
• Assists with event set-up, take-down, and oversight for the Mason Plaza Programming Initiative, including moving and lifting heavy equipment as needed. 

Programming Management Support for Mason Square Office

• Collaborates with Associate Director of Mason Square in the planning and execution of co-curricular events and programs designed to engage Mason Square Campus students and meet desired learning outcomes and key performance indicators;
• Collaborates with other university services and outside vendors to coordinate campus wide events and programs. Duties include preparing:
  • Payment requests;
  • Purchase orders;
  • Travel expense reimbursements;
  • Food and beverage authorization forms; and
  • Other necessary paperwork for the office staff to ensure accurate accountability;
• Creates/conducts surveys to capture data for assessment purposes, and assists with the planning and organization of services to meet those needs;
• Oversees hiring and supervision of Plaza Programming Assistants;
• Trains Plaza Programming Assistants on policies and procedures supporting UL Mason Square operations and event management;
• Manages vendor contracts and insurance policies and procedures for University Life Mason Square; Supports communication and marketing efforts to promote UL and campus wide programming and services;
• Collaborates with UL Marketing and Communications staff to establish and maintain consistency and efficiency in branding strategies and approaches;
• Under the direction of the Associate Director University Life Mason Square, creates and updates office procedures that ensure consistency and ease of operation for the various annual and ad-hoc events hosted by UL; and
• Participates and/or leads committees to manage all aspects of planning for events sponsored by UL and Mason square to ensure event success. Planning to include: calendaring, space reservation and confirmation, work requests, equipment reservation and setup, food and beverage and A/V supply as needed, promotion, photography, surveys, performer and event contracts, and other preparation as needed. 

Unit & Division Support/Service

• Attends, participates, and contributes to UL Regional Campuses staff meetings, Mason Square Campus Management Team meetings, and other meetings as assigned;
• Represents Mason Square and UL Regional Campuses at departmental meetings as needed;
• Attends University Life divisional meetings and events, including mandatory in-person events on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus; 
• Participates in internal and external training and professional development opportunities; and
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience typically obtained in 1+ years in program/event administration or other relevant experience; 
• Experience utilizing design software to create marketing or informational visual assets;
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication, including interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Problem-solving skills to address student or visitor concerns and operational event challenges quickly and effectively;
• Effective time-management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects;
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Availability to work on Saturdays is mandatory as part of the regular schedule;
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed;
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs; and
• Must be able to work outside and sustain weather elements as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Experience typically obtained in 2+ years in event management;
• Experience utilizing Canva Pro and Adobe to create marketing or informational visual assets;
• Experience posting and managing content on Instagram and Facebook;
• Experience supervising part-time, and/or entry-level employees; 
• Experience working in a university or educational environment;
• Knowledge of social media user lifecycle journey;
• Demonstrated skill in composition and proofreading;
• Data analysis skills for evaluating program effectiveness;
• Ability to lead and execute large-scale events in a professional setting; and
• Ability to provide clear direction, motivate employees, support employee performance and development, and ensure team accountability.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Mason Square Programming Coordinator 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 for review.

Posting Open Date: October 20, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  November 3, 2035

Open Until Filled:  Yes