Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants will need to attach a resume and cover letter, preferably as a PDF document.

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 George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff and students in an inclusive environment.

We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Computer Science is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Department Business Administrator to serve as its senior administrative leader and oversee the department’s administrative and operational functions. Reporting to and working closely with the department chair, this role provides leadership, management, and strategic direction across the department’s core business and academic support areas, ensuring effective operations, strong internal coordination, and alignment with Rice University policies and procedures.

This role serves as a key advisor and strategic partner to the department chair and faculty on complex departmental matters, while overseeing departmental staff responsible for supporting faculty, staff, and students. Success in this role requires translating departmental priorities into effective administrative operations, strengthening coordination and accountability across functions, and ensuring the department is well-positioned to respond to evolving needs and opportunities. The Executive Department Business Administrator brings structure, judgment, and follow-through to the department’s work so that academic and operational priorities advance in a timely, thoughtful, and well-coordinated manner.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will be a highly credible and strategic administrative leader with experience supporting academic leadership in a complex environment. They will bring strong judgment, policy fluency, and the ability to manage sensitive and high-impact matters with professionalism, discretion, and confidence.

The successful candidate will be able to build trust quickly, lead through influence, and work effectively across departmental, school, and broader institutional contexts. They will be collaborative and solutions-oriented, while also comfortable exercising oversight, reinforcing expectations, and ensuring accountability in support of departmental priorities.

This role is best suited for a leader who can connect institutional processes to departmental needs, improve administrative effectiveness, and translate leadership priorities into coordinated action. Experience in faculty affairs, academic administration, or similarly complex school- or department-level operations is strongly valued, along with the ability to bring both strategic perspective and strong operational execution to a large and visible academic department.

Workplace Requirements:

• This is a full-time position requiring two to three days on site during the six-month probationary period. After successful completion of the probationary period, limited hybrid work flexibility may be available. In accordance with Rice Policy 440, work arrangements are subject to change.
• Must be able to work in an office environment, often at a computer workstation for much of the working day
• Must be able to move between buildings widely separated on a college campus

• Some weekends and evenings may be required during peak times

Hiring Range: Minimum salary of $100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, finance, higher education administration, public administration, or a closely related field
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on a year-for-year basis may be substituted
• A 5+ years of progressive administrative experience is required, including a proven track record of leading complex projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, or managing departmental operations within a multifaceted organizational or academic environment.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to guide teams, delegate effectively, establish expectations, and build accountability across functions
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to navigate sensitive matters with discretion, professionalism, and sound reasoning
• Strong strategic and operational thinking skills, with the ability to translate leadership priorities into effective processes, coordinated action, and measurable follow-through
• Excellent communication and relationship-management skills, including the ability to build trust, advise stakeholders, and address complex issues with clarity and tact
• Strong project and change management skills, including the ability to lead complex initiatives, improve workflows, and implement sustainable administrative practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess needs, identify risks or gaps, and recommend practical, well-reasoned solutions
• Ability to oversee multiple areas of responsibility simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and alignment with broader organizational priorities
• Ability to work effectively in a complex, collaborative environment with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and evolving needs
• Strong knowledge of administrative operations, policy interpretation, and process management within a complex organization
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including the ability to interpret data, monitor trends, and support sound planning and resource stewardship

Preferences:

• Experience supporting faculty affairs, academic leadership, or other high-impact functions in a complex university environment
• Experience working across both department-level and broader school, college, or central administrative contexts
• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, performance management, position development, employee relations, and compensation-related actions
• Proven ability to manage high-stakes administrative cycles and regulatory requirements, including the coordination of complex approvals, submissions, compliance-driven processes, or other time-sensitive institutional actions
• Substantial experience supporting academic programs and student-related administrative operations, including the interpretation of complex policies, coordination of funding or fellowship processes, and management of related departmental workflows
• Experience leading process improvement or administrative modernization efforts

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the department’s senior administrative leader and provide high-level oversight of administrative and operational functions in alignment with departmental and university priorities
• Advise the department chair, faculty, and staff on complex administrative, operational, financial, and policy matters requiring sound judgment and broad institutional perspective
• Lead the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of departmental operations across core functional areas, which may include finance, human resources, academic administration, faculty support, student support, communications, and related activities
• Translate departmental priorities into effective administrative plans, coordinated workflows, and actionable next steps; monitor progress and help ensure timely follow-through
• Supervise and develop departmental staff responsible for administrative operations and support functions; set expectations, provide guidance, and promote accountability and effective service delivery
• Interpret, apply, and help ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, and administrative requirements; identify issues and recommend appropriate action when needed
• Identify operational needs, process gaps, and emerging risks; develop and implement improvements that strengthen effectiveness, coordination, and accountability
• Provide leadership in budget planning and financial administration, including forecasting, expenditure monitoring, analysis, and other related financial activities
• Oversee human resources-related administrative functions for the department, including support for hiring, onboarding, position management, and related personnel processes
• Support faculty-related administrative processes, which may include searches, appointments, promotion and tenure activities, reviews, and other academic personnel matters
• Oversee or coordinate administrative support for academic programs, student-related processes, and departmental events or outreach activities, as applicable
• Represent the department in collaboration with school leadership, central administrative offices, and other internal or external partners as needed
• Participate in strategic planning, goal setting, and organizational decision-making to support the department’s long-term effectiveness and evolving needs
• Perform all other duties as assigned

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 get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@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.

---

The Department of Computer Science is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Department Business Administrator to serve as its senior administrative leader and oversee the department’s administrative and operational functions. Reporting to and working closely with the department chair, this role provides leadership, management, and strategic direction across the department’s core business and academic support areas, ensuring effective operations, strong internal coordination, and alignment with Rice University policies and procedures.