Assistant Director, Strategic Initiatives (Finance)
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Candidates must submit one PDF in this order:
- a cover letter (maximum one page)
- a resume or curriculum vitae
- names with emails and phone numbers for the three most recent direct supervisors to serve as references
About Rice:
Located in an urban environment on a 300-acre tree-lined campus, Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of the dynamic Museum District in Houston, TX, the most diverse city in the country and home to vibrant Latinx, Asian-American, Black, LGBTQ+, and international communities. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the metro area is characterized by a robust civil society with top elected positions in the region held by a diverse group of officials-left, right, and center, and including Asian-American, Black, Latine, and LGBTQ+ leaders. Rice offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools and has a student body of approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 3,900 graduate students. The university's undergraduate population has no racial majority. Rice consistently ranks among the top 20 national universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching (US News & World Report); its endowment ranks among the top 20 of US universities.
We welcome the fullness of diversity to Rice. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Also, in our candidate pools, we seek to attract greater representation ofwomen,scholars of color, people with disabilities,veterans, and others whohave historically beenunderrepresented. We aim to attract applicants from a wide range backgrounds; to accelerateprogress in buildinga staff varied in thought and experience;and to maintain an environment that fosters interaction and understanding withinourcommunity.
Position Summary:
The Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives supports the development and implementation of innovative, equity-centered programs that enhance the Rice student experience. This position is responsible for launching and sustaining new strategic initiatives that address the evolving needs of historically underrepresented student populations.
The Assistant Director will develop and manage equity and access-oriented partnerships with community colleges and collaborate across campus to build strategic partnerships, design impactful programming, and strengthen institutional support for students from a wide range of backgrounds and identities.
Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a collaborative, student-centered innovator with experience in launching new programs and building partnerships to advance equity and access in higher education. They are energized by the opportunity to create systems from the ground up, especially for student communities that have not been fully supported in traditional university structures. With a generalist mindset and a flexible, strategic approach, they will thrive in a dynamic environment where creativity, initiative, and cross-campus collaboration are essential.
Workplace Requirements:
- This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person on-campus. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.
- Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm with an hour's lunch
- Frequent evening and weekend work
- This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay. During some weeks, employees will be required to work more hours to meet their job responsibilities.
Hiring Range: $60,000 *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
- One year experience in development and implementation of innovative, equity-centered programs
- 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:
- 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
- Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources
- Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans
Preferences:
- Master's degree in student affairs, higher education administration, counseling, or a related field is preferred but is not a requirement
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of historically underrepresented student populations, experiences, and issues within higher education
- Experience working with historically underrepresented student communities and creating inclusive environments
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with historically underrepresented student populations
- Experience developing and implementing educational programs and initiatives
- Strong organizational and project management skills
Essential Functions:
- Administers the daily operations of assigned program(s) with general guidance of a faculty member or a senior staff member
- Conducts research, analyzes data, identifies trends and develops reports
- Plans and monitors annual project budgets, assists in the development of longer terms budget plans
- Recommends and implements outreach plans, including communications, events, marketing, conferences, etc.
- Plans and coordinates logistical aspects of recruitment activities
- Provides support to faculty, staff and students as related to the program
- For academic programs, may assist with graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, coordinating the accreditation process, managing scholarships and fellowships, and monitoring student progress.
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions:
- Design, implement, and assess new student-focused programs that address institutional gaps in support for student's unmet needs.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with campus offices, external organizations, and community colleges to advance access, equity, and student success.
- Lead year-round programming and student engagement efforts, including but not limited to heritage month "hangouts," outreach events, and identity-affirming community spaces.
- Collaborate on institutional initiatives aligned with educational equity, student wellbeing, and inclusion, supporting work that may evolve over time based on emerging priorities.
- Collaborate with campus administrators to review and develop inclusive policies and practices related to historically underrepresented student populations.
- Track and report on program effectiveness, using data and student feedback to inform future efforts and guide long-term strategic planning.
- Contribute to the overall mission and direction of the office, taking the initiative to identify unmet needs and propose creative, student-centered solutions.
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 adarice@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
