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.

About the Enrollment Division:

The Enrollment Division, with over seventy-five highly talented professionals, leads all undergraduate admission and financial aid for the university. Included within the enrollment division is the Office of Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, Enrollment Marketing and Communication, Enrollment Systems and Operations, University Partnerships and Enrollment Analytics. The division has seen a doubling of applications since 2017 with nearly 37, 000 applications and an admit rate under 8%. The division is also responsible for awarding millions of dollars in loan-free, grant aid through the Rice Investment, an innovative financial aid program that makes it clear for families what they will likely qualify for in advance of applying to the university.

Position Summary:

The Senior Advisor to the Vice President for Enrollment serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader within the Division of Enrollment Management, reporting directly to the Vice President for Enrollment, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. This senior-level position is responsible for leading key division-wide projects, overseeing the implementation of the division's strategic plan, and ensuring alignment with the university's mission and goals. The Senior Advisor acts as a primary liaison between the Vice President, executive directors, directors, and deputy directors, facilitating communication, coordination, and execution of priorities across the division. The position requires strong project management capabilities to ensure the timely and successful execution of strategic priorities.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is an accomplished professional with a demonstrated track record in enrollment management or higher education administration, preferably at a highly selective research university. They possess exceptional leadership, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex initiatives and drive results in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The candidate will have experience collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, and a proven ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans.

The ideal candidate plays a key role in planning, tracking, and executing special projects and initiatives on behalf of the Vice President, ensuring that deadlines are met and stakeholders remain informed and aligned. This individual is adept at juggling multiple priorities and timelines, using project management tools and techniques to create clarity and structure in a fast-paced environment. They are a proactive problem-solver with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.

With a deep commitment to service excellence, the successful candidate is mission-driven, detail-oriented, and motivated to contribute to the success of Rice's enrollment strategies and goals.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:

$83, 400 - $90, 000 annually, dependent on experience and qualifications, full-time exempt.

*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
• 3+ years of related experience
  • No substitution for experience allowed

Skills:

• Leadership: Experience leading teams, managing projects, and influencing outcomes at the division or department level.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop, implement, and monitor strategic initiatives to advance enrollment goals. Has a contextual understanding of the executive's role within the university framework and provides support to strengthen the confidence and visibility of the division..
• Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and foster collaboration among executive leaders and staff.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for identifying challenges, analyzing options, and implementing effective solutions. Ability to establish and manage priorities and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with conflicting and varied deadlines
• Organizational Acumen: Excellent time management, organizational, and planning skills to manage competing priorities and deadlines. Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and decision-making skills
• Professional Decorum: Ability to handle sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality. Demonstrated ability to cultivate positive working relationships and gain the trust and respect of all levels of internal and external constituencies. Demonstrated ability to perform duties with a high level of professionalism, flexibility, discretion, judgment, diplomacy and tact
• Technical Skills: Advanced computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software, project management tools and modern office communications tools.

Preferences:

• 5-7 years of experience in enrollment management or higher education administration, preferably at a highly selective institution.

Essential Functions:

• Lead and manage division-wide projects and initiatives aligned with the university and division's strategic objectives.
• Oversee the execution of the division's strategic plan, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability across departments.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Vice President, providing analysis, recommendations, and decision support on key issues.
• Provides advanced and complex support to the vice president and is responsible for managing and prioritizing a wide range of projects and timelines, including establishing objectives and performing the associated research and writing multifaceted and sensitive communications
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among executive directors, directors, deputy directors, and other stakeholders to advance division priorities.
• Oversee and coordinate major projects, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation are managed effectively.
• Operational Oversight: Support the Vice President in managing division operations, including process improvement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Address and resolve operational, personnel, or policy issues as they arise, acting as a point of contact for critical concerns.
• Serves on the Enrollment Strategic Leadership Team with Executive Directors, Directors and Deputy Directors
• Directs staff to perform various tasks and assignments
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions:

• May serve as a territory manager, recruiter and application evaluator for a small territory or as a financial aid officer to maintain knowledge and experience in these key areas of the enrollment division.
• May represent Rice University in professional meetings, conferences and gatherings.

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.