"University Registrar"

Position Summary

The Office of the Registrar (OTR) at Rice University supports the educational mission of the university by working with the Rice community to maintain the accuracy and integrity of its educational records, provide quality service, and support innovative systems that enhance academic support.

The University Registrar provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all operations of the Office of the Registrar. Reporting to the Provost, the University Registrar plays a key role in advancing the university's academic mission by ensuring the integrity, accuracy, security, and stewardship of student records, implementing and enforcing academic policies and practices, and supporting institutional priorities related to student success. The University Registrar collaborates closely with academic and administrative leaders to promote a student-centered, service-oriented culture and to advance the university's mission through data-informed decision-making and innovative student systems management. With direct reporting to the Provost, the Registrar is an essential partner in the implementation of the university's strategic plan for growth and continued excellence.

The University Registrar's portfolio includes production of the Course Schedule, Course Catalog, and General Announcements; official curriculum and degree audit management; classroom scheduling and maintenance; course and instructor evaluations; records and registration; academic transcript production and degree/enrollment verifications; certification of academic credentials/degrees; graduation and commencement participation; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance; academic calendar management; student data stewardship; data analysis; student systems management; and enrollment (National Student Clearinghouse) and veterans' compliance reporting.

Workplace Requirements

• This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person on campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
• Ability to work within a fast-paced office environment with changing priorities, critical deadlines, and the need for multitasking.
• Ability to quickly learn and use new systems, processes, procedures, and complex office functions.
• Office environment; standard working hours, full-time (40 hours per week). Occasional additional hours outside of normal working hours due to regular and seasonal activity.

Hiring Range

Contingent upon experience and qualifications.

*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, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted
• 6+ years of related experience
• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted

Skills

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to accuracy and integrity, and uncompromising attention to detail
• Proven leadership, supervisory, and team-building experience, with an ability to foster a successful service orientation
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Highly collaborative in decision-making and relationship building--must be a consensus builder able to work with many stakeholders throughout the academic enterprise
• Experience successfully implementing and improving administrative processes, with the ability to adapt successful practices from other institutions
• Subject matter expert in FERPA and demonstrated working knowledge of other federal and state laws and mandates pertaining to enrollment and student records
• High level of business acumen, professionalism, and maturity, including the ability to work with faculty in an academic environment. Experience working with undergraduate and graduate student populations

Preferences

• Master's or Doctoral Degree
• Nine or more years of related experience
• Minimum of seven or more (7+) years of supervisory experience of full-time staff
• Minimum of five or more (5+) years of progressive leadership responsibility
• Minimum of five or more (5+) years of data stewardship experience with student records, academic curriculum, and registration management systems at the institutional level
• Experience as a Registrar, Deputy or Associate Registrar, or other closely related unit director position
• Seven or more (7+) years of demonstrated progressive leadership experience in managing areas related to student registration, academic records, enrollment information services, and enrollment reporting operations in higher education
• Knowledge of current trends, regulations, and issues in higher education pertaining to academic records
• Experience leading technology transitions, process automation, or data modernization initiatives
• Active participation in professional organizations such as AAU Registrars, AACRAO, SACRAO, or TACRAO
• Technical skill and experience with specialized software tools commonly used in Registrar's Offices, such as Ellucian Banner, Degree Works, Leepfrog CourseLeaf products (CAT, CIM, CLSS), etc.
• Skill and experience interfacing software tools (SQL Developer, Access, etc.) with Oracle tables and views, formulating queries, form design, and reporting

Essential Functions

The University Registrar is the senior position within the Office of the Registrar (OTR). Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Leadership, Management, and Supervision

• Direct and develop the Office of the Registrar team (including a Deputy Registrar, Associate Registrars, professional and hourly support staff), fostering excellence, collaboration, and accountability
• Foster a collaborative office culture grounded in service excellence and a commitment to the university community and students
• Lead the Office of the Registrar team to utilize and communicate data to enhance decision-making and promote efficiency
• Translate university policies and practices into efficient, timely, and well-coordinated operations
• Collaborate with a wide range of university constituencies to interpret and implement effective administrative practices; routinely evaluate and continuously identify opportunities for improvement
• Support compliance-related activities, partnering with general counsel, institutional effectiveness, and other functions as necessary to ensure efficient and timely compliance with SACSCOC standards, FERPA, etc.
• Define information requirements and ways to access information consistent with FERPA to meet the needs of academic units, General Counsel, and the university
• Communicate with faculty, students, and administrators to ensure that academic policies and procedures are clear and coordinated with academic requirements
• Integrate new systems and processes that support academic program delivery, curricular flexibility, and timely student progress; adapt operations to specialized academic needs as appropriate
• Establish operational priorities and manage resources strategically, including oversight of the office's operating and technology budgets

Academic Program and Curriculum Management (and Degree Audits)

• Partner with the Provost's Office, Academic Deans, and curriculum committees to ensure accurate implementation and maintenance of academic programs, courses, and degree requirements within the student information system
• Collaborate with academic leadership (including Faculty Senate and curriculum committees) on curriculum review, policy development, and new program implementation to ensure alignment with institutional standards and accreditation requirements
• Serve as a key resource in the development and assessment of new academic programs, ensuring that course data, catalog information, and degree audits accurately reflect approved curriculum

Institutional Planning, Strategy, and Analysis

• Support the Provost's Office in academic planning, accreditation, and compliance efforts, including data collection and analysis for graduate and undergraduate programs
• Contribute to strategic institutional initiatives, including the creation and design of the academic calendar, classroom utilization, and space allocation (for classes and events)
• Collaborate extensively with offices and colleagues throughout the university in the collection, sharing, and analysis of data to provide strategic decision support to senior leadership

Training and Professional Development

• Oversee the leadership, direction, motivation, and training of staff. Establish goals, policies, and standards for the Office of the Registrar
• Develop training and professional development opportunities designed to grow and strengthen staff while fostering a student-centered environment that delivers consistent, professional, and efficient service
• Provide appropriate orientation, training, and support to all staff members, ensuring their success
• Routinely review position descriptions, duties, and responsibilities of staff to ensure all materials are current and appropriately documented
• Orchestrate talent development and related human resource activities within the unit
• Lead change initiatives that promote improved assessment, performance, and systems

Program Development and Assessment

• Maintain registration, student record, and graduation operations that are efficient, responsive, data-informed, and student-focused
• Create, safeguard, and preserve student academic records
• Serve as the steward of student records and a key partner in the delivery of educational programs
• Assume full responsibility for student degree audits and reporting of summaries to academic advisors and students
• Ensure adherence to university policy and regulatory requirements

Data and Technology

• Serve as the lead student records data steward for the university and the key administrator concerned with the confidentiality and security of student academic records and compliance with FERPA and institutional policy
• Contribute to the ongoing development, maintenance, and enhancement of student information systems and related technologies
• Develop and implement technology-driven strategies that improve student progression, retention, and degree completion
• Use data analytics and reporting tools to support enrollment management, curriculum planning, and institutional effectiveness
• Demonstrate expertise in technologies for storage, retrieval, retention, archiving, and purging of student records, database technologies, and data security

Liaison and Committee Work

• Serve as an advisor and active participant on key university committees, including the Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum, Graduate Council, Committee on Examinations and Standing, Teaching Committee, and Classroom Quality Management Team (CQMT)
• Collaborate with faculty governance bodies, academic departments, and administrative offices to ensure that policy decisions are effectively implemented and communicated
• Participate in task forces and working groups focused on academic innovation, student experience, and data governance

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.