Director, School Literacy & Culture at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

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.

Position Summary:

The Director of the Rice School Literacy and Culture (SLC) oversees an educational outreach program that develops impactful early literacy initiatives through research-based teacher development, targeting public and private schools and early childhood settings -schools with a particular focus on high-needs and historically underserved populations. The role supports literacy programs, conducts research to inform our practices, and engages entire families.

The Director leads staff, manages the budget in concert with the Assistant Dean for finance and administration, and communicates Rice SLC's vision while building relationships with community and professional stakeholders. The Director is responsible for working with the Chief Development Officer to secure vital public and private funds and implementing strategies to enhance and expand program impact.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for the Director's position should have a strong background in education and a minimum of five years of leadership experience in early childhood education, teaching, leadership, and management. The Director should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. A master's degree in a related field is required. The Director of School Literacy & Culture will oversee all program initiatives and is responsible for implementing targeted strategies that prepare teachers, leaders, and students.

Workplace Requirements:

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

Hiring Range: 100,900+

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

This position is funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 4 years of experience in early childhood education with leadership and management experience

Skills:

• Understand the early childhood education landscape deeply and be familiar with the research-based practices and developments
• Excellent communication skills and strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop program partnerships and secure internal and external funding sources
• Ability to learn new strategies and create a system-thinking approach to initiatives
• Evidence of strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
• Knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans
• Coaching and development of teacher, leader, and staff experience
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data to inform and drive decision-making and program enhancement
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and culturally responsive pedagogy into work in early childhood education

Preferences:

• Master's degree in education or a related field (Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred)
• Teacher Certification
• Proven success in program development and teacher training
• 4 years of experience in early childhood education with leadership and management experience
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills with 5+ years as a supervisor
• Demonstrated experience in grant-writing and fundraising

Essential Functions:

• Develops and executes the strategic vision to advance the core values and mission of the Rice School Literacy & Culture (SLC) program, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities
• Analyzes data to identify trends, generate reports, and implement strategic adjustments to enhance program alignment with Rice Center for Education goals
• Utilizes enrollment and recruitment trends data to recommend scalable solutions for program expansion
• Demonstrates strong communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills while fostering a collaborative and reflective team culture
• Leads cooperative team-building efforts to enhance staff performance and program outcomes
• Oversees the coordination and administration of Rice SLC grants and scholarships, guiding development, and growing fundraising efforts
• Cultivates and strengthens relationships with internal and external partners to support program growth and community engagement
• Collaborates with SLC advisor board, teacher leaders, and staff to ensure program compliance with institutional and regulatory standards
• Maintains and manages records related to regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to institutional policies and standards

Additional Functions

• Develop and implement strategic plans aligned with the program's mission and core values
• Set measurable goals for long-term development and operations
• Oversee staff, hiring, performance management, and foster professional development amongst team members
• Collaborate with academic and community partners to drive program growth
• Lead equity initiatives to improve teacher training and student outcomes
• Manage budgets, financial planning, and reporting
• Build and sustain relationships with external and internal stakeholders
• Secure funding through grant writing and fundraising efforts
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and institutional standards
• Guide teacher leaders and staff in achieving program goals

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

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Us

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, 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.

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