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Federal Programs Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Magellan Health Services

General Job Information Title Director, Federal Program Management Grade 29 Work Experience - Required Clinical, Human Services, Project/Program Management Work Experience - Preferred Military ...

Magellan Health Services

$105K - $178K/yr

General Job Information Title Senior Director, Federal Program Management Grade 30 Work Experience - Required Federal, Management/Leadership, Supervisory Work Experience - Preferred Education ...

US Department of the Air Force

$63K/yr

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion ... Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of ...

ITC Federal, Inc

Division Program Director

Fairfax, VA · Remote

... programs, regardless of scale or complexity. ITC is located in Fairfax, VA and offers an ... ITC Federal must still be awarded individual task orders under the vehicle before employees can be ...

Commence

Program Manager - SSA

Leesburg, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate has direct experience managing federal programs involving medical evidence, health records, or clinical data workflows -- and understands the operational complexity of delivering ...

ITC Federal, Inc

DOJ-Wide Program Director

Fairfax, VA · On-site

DOJ-Wide Program Director AGENCY SUPPORTED: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) - MEGA 6 Automated ... Prior experience supporting DOJ or other federal litigation support programs (e.g., Mega 5). * ...

KBR

DOE Program Director

Fairfax, VA · On-site +1

... programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the DOE federal program management and ... The Program Director is responsible for maintaining a DOE pipeline that aligns with KBR's growth ...

KBR

DOE Program Director

Rosslyn, VA · On-site +1

... programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the DOE federal program management and ... The Program Director is responsible for maintaining a DOE pipeline that aligns with KBR's growth ...

KBR, Inc.

DOE Program Director

Chantilly, VA · On-site

... programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the DOE federal program management and ... The Program Director is responsible for maintaining a DOE pipeline that aligns with KBR's growth ...

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Federal Programs Director information

See Virginia salary details

$24.8K

$68K

$147.8K

How much do federal programs director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal programs director in Virginia is $68,035.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,305.00 and $82,665.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Federal Programs Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Programs Director, you need expertise in program management, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and a relevant degree (often in public administration, education, or a related field). Familiarity with federal grant management systems, data analysis tools, and sometimes certifications like PMP are typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential for building consensus and navigating complex stakeholder environments. These skills ensure effective oversight, regulatory adherence, and the successful delivery of federally funded initiatives.

How does a Federal Programs Director typically collaborate with other departments or agencies?

A Federal Programs Director regularly works with internal teams such as finance, compliance, and human resources, as well as external partners like state agencies, local governments, and federal authorities. Collaboration often involves coordinating program implementation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and aligning objectives across multiple stakeholders. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential for managing cross-functional projects and addressing challenges that arise during program execution.

What is the difference between Federal Programs Director vs Grant Coordinator?

AspectFederal Programs DirectorGrant Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree often in public administration, social sciences, or related fields; experience in federal programsBachelor's degree in related fields; experience in grant management or administration
Work EnvironmentLeads federal program initiatives, manages teams, and oversees complianceAssists in grant application processes, monitors grant activities, and reports
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, non-profits, educational institutionsNon-profits, educational institutions, government offices

The Federal Programs Director and Grant Coordinator roles both involve working with federal funding, but the Director typically oversees entire programs and manages teams, while the Coordinator focuses on grant administration and compliance. The Director has broader responsibilities and strategic oversight, whereas the Coordinator handles day-to-day grant activities.

What does a Federal Programs Director do?

A Federal Programs Director oversees the planning, implementation, and management of federally funded programs within an organization, such as a school district, government agency, or nonprofit. Their responsibilities include ensuring compliance with federal regulations, managing budgets, preparing reports, and coordinating with internal teams and external partners. They play a key role in securing funding, monitoring program effectiveness, and making sure that program objectives are met. The role often requires strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Programs jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Federal Programs jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Federal Programs Director jobs in Virginia? For Federal Programs Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Federal Programs Director jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Federal Programs Director jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Federal Programs Director jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Federal Programs Director job openings:
Federal Programs Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Programs Director job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,035 per year, or $32.7 per hour.
Senior Director, Federal Programs

Senior Director, Federal Programs

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

95th of 537 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Department: Academic Affairs
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
Restricted: Yes
Criminal Background Check: Yes
Security Clearance Check: Yes
About the Department:
Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) at George Mason University serves as the university's central hub for workforce development, executive education, and applied professional learning. CPE partners with federal agencies, industry, and academic units across Mason to design and deliver high-impact training programs that strengthen the region's talent pipeline.
CPE supports strategic university initiatives by offering flexible, mission-aligned programs-including short courses, certificate programs, customized federal training, and large-scale workforce skilling efforts-that advance organizational performance and address emerging national security, defense, and technology needs. As part of GMU's research and innovation ecosystem, CPE collaborates closely with Mason Defense, academic colleges, and research centers to ensure programs are responsive, experiential, and aligned with federal workforce priorities.
CPE also supports George Mason University's efforts to expand and deliver impactful defense and national security programs through applied research, federal partnerships, workforce development, and strategic initiatives. The unit collaborates closely with academic units, research centers, and federal agencies to advance mission-critical national security objectives.
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.
Responsibilities:
Program Leadership and Oversight
  • 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; and
  • Ensures high-quality program performance in accordance with federal and university standards.

Federal Business Development and Pipeline Growth
  • 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; and
  • Identifies emerging federal needs and align opportunities with university expertise.

Matrixed Team Leadership and Cross-Campus Coordination
  • Coordinates multi-disciplinary teams involving faculty, researchers, administrative staff, and technical experts;
  • Facilitates cross-campus collaboration to assemble competitive teams and capabilities; and
  • Ensures effective communication and alignment across colleges, institutes, and centers.

Compliance, Contracts, and Sponsor Engagement
  • 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; and
  • Provides briefings, reports, and strategic updates to university leadership.

Required Qualifications:
  • 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; and
  • Active Top Secret (with a preference for SCI) or the ability to maintain a US security clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 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; and
  • Demonstrated experience in leadership within higher education, federally funded research, or national security initiatives.

Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Senior Director, Federal Programs at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.
Posting Open Date: April 8, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 15, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/

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