"Executive Department Business Administrator"

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.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff and students in an inclusive environment.

We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Computer Science is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Administrator to serve as the chief administrative leader, overseeing departmental operations, guiding strategic initiatives, and managing all financial activities. The Executive Administrator will provide leadership, management, and strategic direction for all administrative and operational functions within the Computer Science Department, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with Rice University policies and procedures. This role serves as a key advisor to the department chair and faculty on administrative matters, as well as overseeing all departmental staff responsible for supporting faculty, staff, and students. This role requires a visionary manager adept at leveraging organizational, financial, and leadership skills to drive departmental efficiency and promote faculty/student success.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The successful candidate will be a proven administrative leader with significant experience in strategic planning, financial management, and operational oversight in complex academic settings, preferably within STEM disciplines. Exceptional communication abilities, a strong dedication to diversity and inclusion, and a demonstrated record of building collaborative, innovative environments are essential for this role.

Workplace Requirements:

• This is a full-time position requiring four days on site during the six-month probationary period. After successful completion of the probationary period, limited hybrid work flexibility may be available. In accordance with Rice Policy 440, work arrangements are subject to change.
• Must be able to work in an office environment, often at a computer workstation for much of the working day
• Must be able to move between buildings widely separated on a college campus
• Some weekends and evenings may be required during peak times

Hiring Range:

Minimum $100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, accounting, finance, or a closely related field
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• 5 years of related experience in an administrative role with significant financial and supervisory management that includes experience working at a nonprofit organization, college, university, or academic medical center

Skills:

• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and database software programs to either complete work assignments or direct the completion of work assignments
• Excellent data reporting skills
• Excellent presentation, verbal, visual and written communication skills
• Excellent critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent leadership, resource management, and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to be creative, delegate, influence, and motivate to gain consensus
• Ability to work autonomously or supervise others ensuring the timely completion of work

Preferences:

• 6 years of senior administrative and supervisory experience in a dynamic, fast-paced university setting
• Proven expertise in research administration, including in-depth knowledge of research funding guidelines and direct experience managing proposal development and submissions
• Extensive experience in graduate program administration and graduate student funding, with a thorough understanding of fellowships, scholarships, academic and international programs, and university policies and procedures

Skills Preferred

• Comprehensive knowledge of HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment and hiring, workload allocation, performance management, goal setting, job description development, terminations, and salary adjustments

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the management and development of all departmental staff involved in administrative operations and support to faculty, students and programs
• Participates in multi − year and strategic planning
• Manages and directs the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of departmental operations, including, but not limited to: research administration, budget / finance, program administration, human resources, communications / outreach, and compliance
• Monitors trends and establishes goals for the department
• Acts as the subject matter expert for the department regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations
• Recommends actions and/or resolves complex issues that span organizational boundaries
• Represents the department or function at the university level and/or to external constituencies
• Serves a primary role in the development & implementation of the annual budget
• Participates in short and long-term budget planning
• Oversees the management of complex budgets, including expenditure approval budget monitoring, expenditure review and approval, processing payments, conducting analyses, creating forecasts and identifying trends
• Oversees the maintenance of financial records
• Directs and manages outreach strategies that may include relationship development, communications, and event management
• Oversees the human resource function for the department for staff
• Serves as the departmental point of contact for faculty searches and the promotion and tenure process; assists the department chair with these processes as needed
• Oversees pre − and post − award research administration
• Oversees graduate and undergraduate program administration, including graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, scholarships, and fellowships, and oversees the coordination of the accreditation process
• Advises faculty and senior management on finance, and policy interpretation
• Serves as a voice of faculty and staff regarding administrative matters to school leadership and central administration
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support. If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.