Program Administrator II

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Program Administrator plays a central role in the day-to-day operations of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, supporting programs, faculty, staff, and students across course scheduling, undergraduate student employment, budget administration, events, outreach, and communications.

This is an opportunity to join a collegial, collaborative department where faculty and staff work closely together and where individual contributions are visible and valued. The department values a positive, supportive environment and a strong sense of community. As part of Rice University, the position also offers the opportunity to work within an inclusive and welcoming campus culture on Rice’s beautiful Houston campus.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

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

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, service-minded professional who enjoys managing varied administrative responsibilities and being a reliable resource for others. Strong organization, responsiveness, sound judgment, and follow-through are essential, along with the ability to balance program operations, budget administration, undergraduate student employment assignments, events, and communications.

Success in the role also requires strong communication and problem-solving skills, effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners, and a positive contribution to a collaborative academic environment.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person at Rice University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $50,000-$60,000 annually

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
  
  
• One year of experience in program administration and operations, budget and financial management, events, outreach and communications, or related experience
  
  In lieu of the education or experience requirement, additional related education or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  
  

Skills:

• Ability to learn new strategies
  
  • 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
    
    
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
    
    
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
    
    
  • Attention to detail, including accurate administration and tracking of undergraduate student employment assignments
    
    
  • Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources
    
    
  • Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans
    
    

Essential Functions:

• Administers the daily operations of assigned programs with general guidance from a faculty member or senior staff member, including course scheduling and undergraduate student employment assignment administration
  
  
• Coordinates undergraduate student employment assignments by collecting required information, initiating and maintaining assignment records, monitoring assignment dates and status, and communicating needed actions to students, supervisors, and appropriate campus partners
  
  
• Coordinates course scheduling for the department
  
  
• Conducts research, analyzes data, identifies trends, and develops reports
  
  
• Plans and monitors annual project budgets and assists in the development of longer-term budget plans
  
  
• Recommends and implements outreach plans, including communications, events, marketing, and conferences
  
  
• Plans and coordinates logistical aspects of recruitment activities
  
  
• Provides support to faculty, staff, and students related to assigned programs
  
  
• For academic programs, may assist with graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, accreditation coordination, scholarships and fellowships, and monitoring student progress
  
  
• Performs all other duties as assigned
  
  

Additional Functions:

• Serves as the point of contact for Mechanical Engineering events and seminars
  
  
• Serves as a departmental point of contact for undergraduate student employment assignment questions and coordinates resolution with appropriate campus partners
  
  

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
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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 get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [contact details available in the full listing] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [contact details available in the full listing] . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.