"Chief of Staff"

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Chief of Staff (COS) reports directly to the President of Rice University, serving as the President's primary support and supervising staff within the Office of the President. The COS must bring a strong understanding and appreciation for Rice's distinctive residential college system and liberal arts foundation, while navigating the complexity of a top-tier research university. Operating with the highest levels of discretion, integrity, and judgment, the COS will manage sensitive issues in a dynamic environment. As a trusted advisor and strategic partner, the COS plays a critical role in shaping and advancing Rice's strategic plan, Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact. The COS is instrumental in facilitating the President's agenda by coordinating key initiatives, ensuring alignment across the university, and driving progress on institutional priorities. The role requires superb communication skills and the ability to serve as a key liaison between the President and a wide range of stakeholders--including trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, government officials, industry leaders, and community leaders--ensuring the President's vision is conveyed effectively, and organizational alignment is maintained. The COS will also focus on strengthening organizational efficiency, enhancing communication, managing crises, and ensuring the successful execution of Rice's strategic priorities. In addition, the COS will lead and manage staff within the Office of the President to support long-term goals and ensure seamless daily operations.

Workplace Requirement

This role is classified as an Essential Remote Position. During declared emergencies or crisis events, the incumbent is required to continue duties remotely to ensure business continuity. Employees in this role must remain accessible to leadership, support critical departmental functions, and maintain operations until normal on-site activities resume.

Hiring Range

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Qualifications

Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Key Responsibilities

Rice's COS will serve as a strategic advisor to the President and work to advance his goals through coordinating the President's team, supporting presidential committees, and overseeing the operational and financial affairs of the Office of the President.

Key responsibilities include the following:

1. Strategic Leadership and Institutional Alignment: Partner with the President and cabinet to drive university-wide priorities, anticipate challenges, and coordinate cross-divisional initiatives. Ensure that the president's vision is translated into actionable plans and pursued systematically across the institution.
2. Presidential Liaison and Representation: Serve as the president's liaison with senior leadership and represent the president at meetings and external events. The COS collects input and information and provides post-event briefings and summaries to the president.
3. Board of Trustees Engagement: Act as an advisor and liaison to the board of trustees, preparing executive-level board materials, reports, and records in conjunction with the board secretary.
4. Policy and Governance Support: Provide input on policy and governance matters, coordinate policy review, and partner with external governing entities as needed.
5. Executive Communications: Oversee the development and dissemination of high-level messages from the president. Review and refine briefing materials, talking points, executive reports, and correspondence.
6. Executive Search and Recruitment Support: Collaborate with human resources and external search firms to coordinate leadership searches; oversee coordination of campus visits for candidates; and facilitate engagement between senior administrators, board members, and candidates.
7. Office Leadership and Staff Development: Supervise office staff, fostering a high-performance culture and promoting professional development. Oversee office operations.
8. Institutional Performance and Accountability: Track and report on KPIs, support evaluations, and monitor progress toward strategic goals.
9. Support Development Efforts: In close collaboration with the development office, ensure the president is prepared for development events, handling real-time situational needs and completion of follow-up items.
10. Executive Performance Review Coordination: Ensure the annual executive performance reviews by gathering feedback, compiling assessments, tracking goals, and coordinating review meetings according to university policy.
11. Executive Cabinet Operations: Plan and coordinate cabinet meetings and retreats, set agendas, guide discussions, track action items, and ensure follow-through on key initiatives. Provide executive-level administrative support to cabinet functions, decision-making processes, and internal communications efforts.
12. Strategic Access Management and Time Prioritization: In collaboration with the executive assistant to the President, act as the main gatekeeper for the president's schedule. Manage and prioritize requests, ensuring the president stays focused on the most important strategic goals, key alumni and donor relationships, and institutional priorities.
13. Crisis Intervention and Mitigation Support: Play a key role in crisis response teams.
14. Confidentiality, Diplomacy, and Availability: Uphold the highest levels of confidentiality in handling sensitive university matters. Manage situations with diplomacy, discretion, and professionalism to foster collaboration across the campus community.
15. Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, trustees, and external partners to enhance institutional engagement and support.
16. Presidential Events: Work with events team to oversee and plan key presidential events.
17. Other Duties: Undertake additional executive responsibilities assigned by the president.

Ideal Experience

• Advanced degree strongly preferred and minimum of 10 years of experience advising or supporting senior executives in large complex organizations (i.e., president, chief executive officer, provost, dean). Experience working in higher education is preferred, although not required.
• Prior experience and familiarity with board governance, policy development, donor engagement, and institutional accountability.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills, preferably in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to perform complex tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously to drive results.
• Experience cultivating relationships across a wide range of constituents.
• Skilled in communications, including executive positioning and crisis communications preferred.

Other Personal Characteristics

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong strategic, analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• A commitment to the mission and values of Rice.
• Discreet, calm under pressure, and politically savvy.
• Collaborative, not ego-driven; comfortable with ambiguity and resistance.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion with highly confidential information.