Director of Sustainability

George Mason University is seeking a Director of Sustainability for its Facilities & Campus Operations department. This full-time position, based in Fairfax, VA, involves leading sustainability initiatives, managing programs, and advising university leadership. The role focuses on energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and integrating sustainability into university operations and academics. Benefits include paid leave, tuition assistance, and health benefits. The job is hybrid eligible but not fully remote.
Department: Facilities & Campus Operations



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



Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes-



About the Department:



George Mason University Facilities ensures a high-quality physical
environment that supports the university's mission. We will be the
technical and business experts of choice, trusted and confident by
our students, faculty, and staff.



About the Position:



George Mason University is recruiting for a Director to lead its
Office of Sustainability. You'll be a State employee of Virginia,
working out of the Fairfax campus and becoming part of the George
Mason University patriot team.



We want someone reliable who takes pride in their work and will
make a noticeable contribution to facilities and campus operations
at George Mason.



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 Director of Sustainability provides strategic leadership and
operational oversight of the University’s sustainability efforts,
advancing institutional goals in energy efficiency, environmental
stewardship, and resilience. The role directs the University
Sustainability team; develops and manages sustainability programs,
funding, and assessments; and integrates sustainability into
university planning, operations, academics, and partnerships. The
Director serves as a primary advisor to Facilities and University
leadership, academic units, and external partners, promoting
data-informed decision-making and innovation by using the
university as a living laboratory to improve environmental
performance, enrich learning experiences, and enhance the
institution’s reputation as a regional leader in
sustainability.



Responsibilities:



Strategic Leadership


Provides strategic leadership and direction for the University
Sustainability team and institution-wide sustainability and energy
efficiency initiatives;
Leads the implementation and continuous improvement of the
university’s Energy Efficiency and Resiliency Action Plan aligned
with the university’s overall strategic goals;
Establishes short and long term sustainability agendas in
collaboration with university leadership;
Collaborates with Energy & Sustainability leadership to
reduce energy consumption and increase renewable energy
adoption;
Provides institutional leadership and subject-matter expertise
to integrate energy efficiency and sustainability outcomes into
capital and non-capital projects and campus initiatives;
Provides expert guidance on design and construction standards,
processes, and project decisions to improve life-cycle energy
performance and support institutional priorities; and
Provides energy and sustainability guidance and technical
support to Facilities & Campus Operations and other key
operational stakeholders.

Program Management


Develops, monitors, and updates University Sustainability’s
program budgets;
Supports waste reduction, recycling, composting, and circular
economy initiatives, including Zero Waste Mason and Patriot
Packout;
Oversees the Patriot Green Fund, including prioritizing
investments that support sustainability research, infrastructure
improvements, and reduced environmental impact;
Pursues actions that put George Mason on track to maintain its
Gold rating and incremental improvements under AASHE STARS. Assess
STARS, greenhouse gas emissions, and other comprehensive
sustainability metrics and support other sustainability
classifications;
Advocates for and support space, equipment, and facility needs
that advance sustainability goals, including oversight of the
President's Park Greenhouse, garden spaces, and related
assets;
Advises capital and non-capital projects on green building
practices, energy efficiency, water conservation, transportation
demand management, and emissions reduction strategies; and
Identifies and pursues energy and sustainability-related
funding opportunities (e.g., grants, tax credits, incentives),
coordinating proposals with facilities, administrative, and
academic units.

Policy & Standards Development


Leads and supports the development of campus-wide
sustainability standards, guidelines, and policies in areas such as
energy, waste, purchasing, and environmental management;
Recommends organizational structures, program enhancements, and
policy changes to support a durable campus-wide culture of
sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency; and
Builds consensus across units and advise leadership on
operational, curricular, and co-curricular improvements based on
sustainability assessments and best practices.

Supervision & Collaboration


Supervises and provides leadership to the Office of
Sustainability;
Assigns work, set priorities, evaluates performance, and
supports staff development;
Fosters effective working relationships with campus
stakeholders;
Builds and maintains partnerships with external collaborators,
contractors, and service providers;
Maintains knowledge of sustainability best practices and peer
institution initiatives; and
Builds and sustains a network of peer sustainability
professionals and external partners.

Communications & Engagement


Partners with Facilities & Campus Operations Communications
to promote the university’s sustainability achievements and enhance
its regional reputation as a sustainability leader;
Plans, coordinates, and communicates Earth Month and campus
sustainability initiatives; and
Promotes participation in sustainability surveys, trainings,
and orientation programs.

Academic & Research Integration


Co-leads the Mason as a Living Lab initiative in partnership
with the Institute for a Sustainable Earth;
Supports experiential learning that applies sustainability
theory to campus operations, using the university as a living
laboratory;
Collaborates with faculty and the Provost’s Office to support
sustainability-related academic programs, metrics, and
interdisciplinary collaborations; and
Supports developing or integrating sustainability into academic
curricula and support the Provost’s office in maintaining accurate
sustainability-aligned course listings.

Other Related Duties as Assigned


Related tasks assigned by the supervisor and department
head.

Required Qualifications:


Advanced degree in engineering, natural or applied sciences,
sustainability, business, public policy, or a related field or the
equivalent combination of education and experience;
Experience leading sustainability, energy, or environmental
programs within a complex organization (e.g., higher education,
government, healthcare, or large institutional setting);
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic
plans related to sustainability, energy efficiency, climate action,
or resiliency;
Experience managing budgets, funding mechanisms, or
grant-supported programs;
Experience building consensus across diverse
constituencies;
Experience developing sustainability-related policies,
standards, guidelines, or operational frameworks;
Knowledge of sustainability best practices, energy management,
greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, and resilience
planning;
Working knowledge of green building standards (e.g., LEED),
life-cycle cost analysis, energy modeling concepts, and
infrastructure performance;
Familiarity with sustainability assessment frameworks such as
AASHE STARS and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies;
Understanding of waste reduction, recycling, composting,
circular economy practices, and zero-waste strategies;
Strong systems-thinking skills to integrate sustainability and
energy efficiency across operations, planning, capital projects,
and partnerships;
Data-informed decision-making skills, including assessment,
reporting, and performance tracking;
Skill in building consensus across diverse units and advising
leadership on policy and operational improvements;
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to work
effectively with facilities, academic units, administrators, and
external partners;
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects,
priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Ability to help establish and execute a long-term strategic
vision for sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency
aligned with institutional priorities;
Demonstrated ability to translate high-level goals into
actionable plans, metrics, and outcomes;
Ability to develop, manage, and monitor program budgets and
funding allocations;
Proven ability to assign work, set priorities, and evaluate
performance;
Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences,
including senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the
public; and
Ability to represent the institution externally and enhance its
reputation as a leader in sustainability.

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 for employment, contingent upon a favorable
review.



Preferred Qualifications:


LEED AP;
Certified Energy Manager (CEM);
At least one degree in mechanical or electrical
engineering;
Supervisory experience, including staff management, performance
evaluation, and professional development;
Experience with energy savings performance contracts;
Experience working with sustainability or energy programs in a
higher education setting;
Experience supporting experiential learning, applied research,
or campus-as-a-living-lab initiatives;
Advanced knowledge of green building standards (e.g., LEED);
and
Expert ability to manage complex projects.

Instructions to Applicants:



For full consideration, applicants must apply for the
Director of Sustainability 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: June 3, 2026



For Full Consideration, Apply by: June 17, 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/