Assistant Director

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter 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:
Reporting to and under the supervision of an associate director, the assistant director will support staff in the development, implementation, and management of undergraduate civic leadership programs and fellowships grounded in principles of community-engaged learning, ethical frameworks, civic professionalism, and critical reflection. The assistant director will engage with students primarily through teaching and advising activities. The assistant director will support student experiential learning programs that may include international, domestic, and local community immersion. Through their work, they will contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus and in the community. They will assist in the cultivation and management of university-community partnerships, faculty partnerships, and alumni networks that enrich civic leadership programs. The assistant director may develop and lead workshops and/or organize special events.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate will have experience working in multiple sectors, including with nonprofit organizations, and will have facilitated projects and/or civic learning opportunities. The candidate will have an appreciation for the importance of community voice and multiple perspectives in addressing social issues and a desire to work with community partners and students to foster collaboration and successful projects.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person at Rice University, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $58,000–$61,000 annually, contingent upon experience and qualifications
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3 years of relevant professional experience in community and civic engagement
• Experience working in community development, public policy, philanthropy, and/or social enterprise
• Experience supporting youth leadership and professional development
• Professional experience can include internships, student assistantships, and other relevant activities

Skills:

• Ability to apply theory to practice in community organizing and student development
• Strong relationship-building skills and experience collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and community partners
• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication 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
• Ability to oversee and direct student leaders
• Knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans

Preferences:

• Master’s degree in community-engaged learning, public policy, international development, or related field
• STEM or civic science background (education or experience)
• Experience with multi-sector relationship building and collaboration with diverse stakeholders
• Experience advising and mentoring students and providing developmental feedback
• Teaching and/or facilitation experience and skills, especially experiential learning and critical pedagogy
• Experience with program design and implementation, including assessment
• Demonstrated commitment to working inclusively with diverse students and partners
• Demonstrated understanding of civic and community engagement
• Experience developing others’ cross-cultural competencies
• Event planning and project management skills
• Experience with risk management and risk prevention policies and practices

Essential Functions:

• Administers program operations, ensuring efficient, effective, and productive operations
• Creates and implements plans to achieve program objectives and mission
• Works directly with students in a teaching and advising capacity
• Interprets, implements, and ensures compliance with policies and regulations and recommends changes to procedures and processes
• Analyzes data, identifies trends, develops reports, and recommends and implements changes to improve alignment with institutional mission and goals
• Creates and implements outreach plans that may include relationship development, communications, event and conference management
• Provides support in developing relationships with internal and external entities
• May assist with fundraising activities
• Creates budget plans, monitors and approves expenditures, develops reports, conducts analyses, and manages and maintains financial records
• For academic programs, may be responsible for graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, coordinating the accreditation process, managing scholarships and fellowships, and monitoring student progress
• May supervise student leaders and student workers
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Oversees partnership development, placements, and mentor relationships for summer internship program
• Oversees program for awarding students community-project grants, including proposal development, submission, review, and management of awards
• Collaborates on the development and implementation of curriculum related to developing student leadership and civic engagement skills
• Supports advising for programs and fellowship applications

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.