RCEL Program Administrator IV

Position Summary

The Program Administrator IV provides senior-level administrative and operational leadership for the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership. Reporting to the center executive director, this position serves as the center's primary administrative lead, ensuring that RCEL's academic programs, admissions cycles, student-facing activities, summer programs, events, communications, and stakeholder engagement efforts are supported by effective systems, clear processes, and strong day-to-day coordination.

This role is responsible for understanding the full operating cycle of the center and helping translate evolving program priorities into organized administrative execution. The position requires independent judgment, proactive planning, and the ability to anticipate upcoming needs, align resources, and manage competing priorities across multiple program areas. The Program Administrator IV also provides direct supervision for administrative staff and administrative line management for teaching assistants, while coordinating closely with faculty, staff, students, industry professionals, and corporate partners to ensure RCEL's operations are responsive, accurate, and professionally managed.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is a confident, service-oriented administrative leader who brings structure, follow-through, and sound judgment to a complex program environment. They will be comfortable working independently, making decisions in a fast-moving setting, communicating proactively with leadership, and building strong working relationships with students, faculty, staff, industry professionals, and corporate partners.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as an in-person role, requiring all work to be performed on the Rice University Campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

$65,000 - $70,000 annually

*Exempt salaried positions 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.)
• Three or more (3+) years experience managing complex administrative or program operations in a higher education, academic center, student program, or similarly complex environment. (In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.)

Skills

• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
• Strong client service orientation and attention to detail
• Ability to develop complex or multiple program partnerships and funding sources
• Knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans

Preferences

• Experience supporting academic programs, student services, admissions, or related program operations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, events, and communications at the same time.
• Experience supervising or coordinating the work of staff, students, teaching assistants, or similar support roles.
• Strong judgment and ability to work effectively with leadership, faculty, students, and external partners.
• Experience improving processes, documentation, tracking systems, or other administrative workflows.

Essential Functions

• Provides administrative and operational support for RCEL's undergraduate, graduate, summer, and related program activities, including events, communications, timelines, and logistics.
• Coordinates the administrative lifecycle for RCEL undergraduate and graduate admissions and summer programming, including application intake, applicant communications, admit processing, and admissions and scholarship offer communications.
• Oversees course and program coordination, including scheduling, space planning, program calendars, materials, and related administrative follow-through.
• Plans and coordinates RCEL events and activities, including information sessions, seminars, corporate partner events, student competitions, summer camps, and orientation-related programming.
• Supervises one staff member and provides administrative line management for teaching assistants, coordinating with faculty and program leads regarding program needs, schedules, expectations, and administrative requirements.
• Develops, maintains, and improves administrative processes, documentation, tracking tools, and workflows to support consistent program operations and timely execution.
• Tracks program data, prepares reports, and supports administrative aspects of financial and program planning, including session close-outs, resource tracking, and discussions related to program operations and revenue use.
• Serves as a key administrative liaison for students, faculty, staff, industry professionals, corporate sponsors, and campus partners, ensuring responsive communication and effective coordination across stakeholder groups.
• Collaborates with marketing and communications partners to support program communications, outreach materials, summer camp promotion, orientation communications, and other stakeholder-facing messaging.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.