Project Manager Fit Out Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Architect/Engineer 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

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

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience - $107,000

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities 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:

Ready to start the New Year with a new position as a State employee of Virginia?

We have a wonderful opportunity for you. You'll be a State employee of Virginia, work at our beautiful Fairfax campus with 677 acres of wooded land, and become part of the George Mason University patriot team.

We've got the work. Now, we need an additional team member to contribute to our busy environment. We want someone reliable, takes pride in their work, and will make a noticeable contribution to the educational facilities at George Mason. Your manager can trust that you will get the job done.

George Mason's Facilities & Campus Operations department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean community experience at the university. So, what's in it for you?

Great benefits for you...

• Lots of leave, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid two-week winter break (please note - the break employees often receive during the holiday season is not regularly guaranteed and is subject to annual approval);
• Free tuition, up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, and professional development. Yes, you can earn a college education while earning a salary;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
• Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan; and
• Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more!

For you and your family...

• Health/dental/vision benefits; and
• Tuition dependent benefit (restrictions apply).

The Project Manager I is responsible for managing capital planning, project planning and programming, design, construction, and fit-out for less complex capital and non-capital projects from project initiation through turn-over.

Responsibilities:

Management of moderately complex renovation or upgrade/replacement projects, generally under $1M in budget and with a completion time of one year.

Capital Planning:

• Works with capital planners or business units to identify user's capital and non-capital needs including new programmatic and renewal requirements for buildings and infrastructure; and
• Develops scope, budget, and schedule for capital projects.

AE Selection & Contract Administration:

• Develops project scope of services as required on assigned projects and coordinates with contracts for solicitation of RFQ or proposal request; issuance of contract or task order;
• Participates in A/E selection as requested. Maintains a working knowledge of A/E contractual responsibilities (including the requirements set forth in the contract MOU and CPSM), and administers A/E contracts for all assigned projects through design and construction; and
• Promptly addresses A/E performance issues if performance does not meet contractual obligations.

Programming/Design Phase:

• Manages programming and design of assigned capital projects to ensure A/E design submittals maximize the users' program goals and are compliant with the project's authorization criteria, Mason's Higher Education Capital Outlay Manual, Campus Master Plan, and Design Guidelines and Construction Standards;
• Ensures design submittal, review, and approval processes are completed in accordance with the applicable regulatory authority, the HECO Manual, university procedures, and project schedules;
• Implements recovery actions when activity delays impact the design completion date;
• Manages the Value Engineering process of assigned projects;
• Works to resolve conflicting program requirements, design review comments, and budget concerns;
• Performs design and constructability reviews, and leads construction phasing and logistics planning for assigned projects;
• Coordinates work efforts of institutional organizations such as interior design, environmental graphic design, information technology, access control, and environmental health, safety, and risk management to ensure that program objectives, institutional design and construction standards, regulatory requirements, project schedule requirements, and project budget are achieved.

CM Selection and Bidding:

• Coordinates with Facilities Contracts and A/E to develop requests for CMR proposals or bid solicitations;
• Participates in the CMR or GC selection process as requested. Construction Contract Administration;
• Provides leadership and works closely with the project team to manage construction phase activities of assigned projects.
• Visits project site(s) regularly to assess progress and quality of work;
• Identifies design or construction issues that are impacting the schedule and works with A/E, contractor, and others to resolve;
• Promptly addresses CM or GC performance issues if performance does not meet contractual obligations;
• Administers all construction phase contracts, including, but not limited to, construction/CM, construction testing/inspection, independent scheduling, and other consultants;
• Ensures that programmatic required design changes are issued to the contractor for pricing and implementation in a timely fashion;
• Works with A/E to identify, negotiate, and recommend approval of construction change orders;
• Reviews change orders, Schedule of Values, design/construction schedules, monthly project reports, and monthly pay requests; and
• Facilitates contractor dispute resolution.

Permitting & Inspections:

• Develops a thorough understanding of permitting requirements;
• Manages permit submission, review, and approval process with BCOM and/or local permitting authorities as required to ensure timely receipt of permit;
• Manages submission of all required submittals for timely regulatory review by the appropriate agency;
• Ensures inspections occur at appropriate intervals during construction progress; and
• Ensures issuance of certificate of occupancy or closing of permit to meet project schedule.

Communication & Management:

• Serves as the primary point of contact with academic and business unit representatives for assigned projects throughout the duration of the project;
• With academic and business unit representatives, develops project objectives, program requirements, schedule requirements, and a project budget;
• Informs client/user(s) of responsibilities at the beginning of the design process;
• Periodically updates the client on design/construction progress;
• With support from in-house designers, assists user(s) during design and construction in developing FF&E requirements and understanding the procurement process;
• Works closely with the user(s) to determine FF&E requests that may require design modifications;
• Working with the project team, assists user(s) in developing a plan for building move-in and occupancy;
• In support of project goals, coordinates with all constituents needed to support the completion of assigned projects, including, but not limited to, utility providers, commissioning, inspection services, shop support, outside vendors or consultants, move coordinators, interior designers (for furniture procurement/installation), and coordination of IT, AV, data, and voice communications service and installation; and
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director.

Project Schedules, Budgets, and Records:

• Ensures maintenance of project files in project management software, including timely uploading of documents, completion of templates, and managing project approvals for budget, contracts, and schedules;
• Leads preparation of the project schedule and project budget using established templates;
• Prepares minutes or project meetings, or ensures completeness and accuracy of meeting minutes prepared by consultants or contractors;
• Ensures documentation of all decisions by user groups and stakeholders;
• Presents updates at project review meetings;
• Continually monitors project schedules and budgets and notifies the Director if schedule overruns or budget shortfalls are likely to occur;
• Recommends strategies to mitigate possible budget shortfalls and/or schedule overruns;
• Periodically reviews project file folders to ensure the documentation is being filed promptly and in accordance with established office procedures;
• Manages the closeout of assigned projects;
• Supports the supervisor and project manager in completing other related duties and reports as needed; and
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Significant experience with facilities project management in design and/or construction, preferably with large-scale projects for institutional clients such as institutions of higher education;
• Experience as a Project Engineer directing design and construction contracts with demonstrated independent decision-making;
• Experience in selecting, negotiating, and managing professional services contracts;
• Knowledge and understanding of ACAD;
• Demonstrated knowledge of architecture/engineering/construction management and the design and construction process;
• General knowledge of furniture acquisition/installation; data, power, and telecom coordination; and building commissioning;
• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities/actions with desired results;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Ability to read and understand documents, plans, and specifications;
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with associates, subordinates, contractors, and the University community; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver's licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related field;
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification;
• Experience (typically 3-7 years) managing interior renovations, facilities, or campus environments;
• Experience with Design-Bid-Build;
• Experience with Design-Build and/or Construction Management at Risk delivery methods;
• Experience in academic buildings, student housing, department renovations, and relocations;
• Understanding of furniture systems and electrical requirements, ADA compliance, and basic building codes;
• Experience with budget tracking, budget constraints, cost estimating, schedule development, small project bidding processes, and project status updates;
• Ability to manage high project volume (i.e., 15-25 concurrent active projects) with quick turnaround and hands-on coordination; and
• Ability to coordinate project schedules working with in-house trades, in-house designers, and relocation/installation coordinators throughout the projects.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Project Manager I at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a resume for review.

Posting Open Date: April 15, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: April 29, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes