Director – Registration & Student Records

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.

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 Director of Registration and Student Records is a mission-critical leadership role at Rice Business, entrusted with safeguarding the integrity, accuracy, and seamless functionality of the school’s academic records, calendars, and schedules. This role serves as the cornerstone for all registration and records activities, ensuring the delivery of a world-class student experience while driving strategic initiatives that elevate the academic reputation of Rice Business. 

Reporting directly to the Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Student Experience, the Director operates as a key thought partner in shaping policies and processes that influence not only the business school but also the broader university.  This person manages not only Rice Business Registrar activities, but they also must follow and understand the greater university systems and procedures. Extraordinary tact and communication are key to this position’s success.  This position requires a leader with impeccable judgment, unparalleled attention to detail, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with diplomacy and precision. The Director will serve as a critical liaison between students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, ensuring that all operations reflect the highest standards of excellence and compliance.

Ideal Candidate Statement: 

The ideal candidate for the Director of Registration and Student Records is a strategic thinker with a proven track record of managing complex academic operations in higher education. They possess deep expertise in data analytics and systems thinking, coupled with the ability to lead transformative initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness.

This individual will demonstrate exceptional judgment, unwavering attention to detail, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution. They will have a history of working collaboratively across diverse teams and departments, fostering consensus, and building relationships with key stakeholders at all levels of an institution.

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver, capable of navigating ambiguity and delivering innovative solutions that align with the mission and vision of Rice Business. They are adept at leveraging technology to drive efficiency and ensure the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance. Additionally, they bring a commitment to excellence in cultivating a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

In short, the ideal candidate is an accomplished, forward-thinking professional who is eager to lead a team in order to make a meaningful impact. 

Workplace Requirements: 

Rice Business primarily delivers residential classes and activities taking place almost daily between 7 am and 10 pm. We value a highly collaborative and community-based culture, with expectations to provide in-person support and services to all members of our community. Remote work options are limited. Most employment activities are required to be performed in-person and on-campus. This in-person approach is central to the successful achievement of our research and academic missions.  

Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:$85,000 minimum, commensurate with experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 7+ years’ experience in a higher education environment, preferably in student records and/or registration. 

• Skills: 

  • Demonstrated experience in records management, data management, accounting, or other closely related fields
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee a functional area, supervise staff and delegate responsibilities
  • Experience with PC computers, including advanced level proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of standard applications
  • Advanced proficiency and understanding of database concepts and database application development issues
  • Intermediate to advanced database query (SQL) skills and experience with Oracle database querying tools, such as Tableau, etc.
  • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including a high level of maturity, professionalism, and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work assignments
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • High degree of accuracy and an uncompromising attention to detail
  • Strong presentation skills, ability to present abstract concepts and information
  • Ability to communicate effectively with management and senior administration
  • Ability to work both autonomously and as a member of a team
  • 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, and procedures, and act as a change agent for adoption of same
  • Strong understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including how they are applied within their assigned functional area, and the other areas within the office or department

Preferences:

• Master’s Degree 

• Experience working with graduate students 

• Experience working in registrar positions in higher education environments 

• Experience with student information systems, particularly Banner, and classroom scheduling software, particularly Ad Astra and/or EMS 

• Works well in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

• Develop and implement innovative strategies to enhance registration processes, data accuracy, and overall operational efficiency.

• Partner with leadership across the business school and other university departments to ensure alignment with institutional goals and compliance with academic policies.

• Take the lead in developing, enforcing, and sustaining high-stakes decisions involving registration policies, accreditation requirements, and compliance with university-wide data initiatives.

• Generates and creates new reports for use by management and senior administration to make decisions associated with the planning for change, developing new processes, or archiving historical information 

Management and Supervision

• Provide leadership and supervision to a team of two staff members, ensuring professional growth and the delivery of exceptional services.

• Oversee the development, adherence, and refinement of policies, procedures, and workflows to meet the evolving needs of the academic community.

Data Integrity and Compliance

• Ensure the accuracy, security, and confidentiality of all student records in compliance with FERPA and other relevant regulations.

• Conduct rigorous data audits and implement proactive solutions to mitigate risks and maintain high standards of data integrity.

• Lead the management of academic scheduling processes, including class rosters, room assignments, and enrollment caps.

Technical Expertise

• Direct the integration and optimization of advanced registration systems and database tools, such as Tableau and Oracle, to provide actionable insights and enhance decision-making.

• Lead the creation and dissemination of complex reports for senior leadership, driving data-informed strategies and long-term planning.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee the course evaluation process in partnership with Analytics and Operations, ensuring timely and accurate data collection and reporting.

• Manage registration and grading cycles, troubleshooting complex issues, and providing guidance to faculty, staff, and students.

• Represent Rice Business at university-level committees and working groups, advocating for the school’s interests while contributing to institutional success.

Additional Functions

• Facilitation of presentations to students regarding course registration
• Engagement of key stakeholders with the Rice Business Office of the Registrar to resolve conflicting needs in furtherance of the school’s and university’s missions
• Manages course evaluation survey process
• Coordinates with Analytics and Operations team on data for surveys
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values:Mission and Values | Rice University

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 Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.