Program Administrator

Special Instructions to Applicants

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

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 Professional and Corporate Programs Administrator in Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies advances a portfolio of professional education programs serving working adults through effective program administration, enrollment support, and operational coordination. This role demonstrates sound judgment, resourcefulness, and a commitment to inclusive and responsive service.

The Program Administrator manages the day-to-day operations of assigned programs within the broader Professional and Corporate Programs portfolio. Examples of programs may include Rice University’s CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) Education Program, SHRM certification preparation, project management, and leadership development offerings. The Program Administrator ensures programs are executed efficiently, meet enrollment objectives, and maintain high standards of quality and participant experience.

Workplace Requirements

Some evening and weekend work is necessary, as well as travel.

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

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

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.)
• One or more (1+) years’ experience in office administration

Skills

• Ability to learn new strategies
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
• Data analysis skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Good organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets

Preferences

• 1+ years’ experience supporting both instructors and students
• Proficient at use of Excel for data manipulation, budget development, and data analysis
• Ability to learn new strategies
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills across multiple constituencies (faculty, administration, students, colleagues)
• Excellent research and discovery skills (primarily web-based)
• Data analysis skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Good organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
• Knowledge of and ability to learn new programs and applications related to job functions, including Box, Google Drive, Canvas (learning management system), Zoom (for classroom program delivery), CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software, Qualtrics, Destiny Solutions, and Imagine One Evolution
• Experience organizing and hosting courses, events, or symposia
• Experience advising adult learners about professional opportunities and careers
• Familiarity with various professional social media platforms
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets

Essential Functions

• Administers the daily operations of assigned programs, ensuring seamless coordination across enrollment, instructional delivery, and logistics with general guidance from senior staff and instructors.
• Oversees course setup and execution across institutional systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely implementation within registration and learning management platforms.
• Coordinates and manages program logistics to ensure high-quality delivery across classroom and virtual formats, proactively identifying and resolving operational issues in collaboration with internal partners.
• Supports enrollment and student lifecycle processes for certificate and non-certificate programs, including recruitment coordination, student progress monitoring, and records management.
• Monitors assigned program budgets and expenditures; contributes to financial tracking and longer-term budget planning for the department.
• Contributes to outreach and communication initiatives in collaboration with marketing and departmental leadership to support enrollment growth and program visibility.
• Performs additional responsibilities consistent with the scope and level of the position.

Additional Functions

• Coordinates schedules for assigned courses and programs, including classes, info sessions, and other regularly scheduled meetings
• Responsible for the yearly application for re-certification and other required processes for the delivery of professional courses in regulated fields (i.e., insurance, tax, etc.)
• Limited travel to conferences to represent PCP offerings and promote enrollment in our programs (approximately 2-4 times per year).
• Administers other programs, as assigned, including ad hoc corporate programs
• Participates in cross-functional meetings and committees to advance best practices in program administration and continuous improvement.