Executive Director, Houston Methodist-Rice Digital Health Institute (DHI) at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume 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:

As the Executive Director of the new Houston Methodist-Rice DHI, you will lead a groundbreaking initiative at the forefront of digital health innovation. By harnessing the combined expertise of Houston Methodist and Rice University, this institute aims to transform healthcare delivery and foster the next generation of digital health solutions. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare by driving strategic initiatives, developing cutting-edge research programs, and leading a world-class team. For questions or further inquiries, please contact jobs@rice.edu

Candidate Statement:

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as the Executive Director of the Digital Health Institute (DHI), a joint venture between Houston Methodist and Rice University. The institute comes with a significant commitment from both Houston Methodist and Rice University and will soon be publicly announced. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing the operational rollout, strategic development, and expansion of the Institute, leveraging state-of-the-art research in digital health to drive innovation in patient care. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare by merging cutting-edge technology with clinical expertise to deliver impactful solutions across the health ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• 
  Leadership & Strategic Vision: Lead the operational and strategic direction of the Institute, ensuring alignment with Houston Methodist and Rice University's goals in digital health, precision medicine, and data science.
• 
  Operational Management: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the DHI, including budgeting, resource allocation, and infrastructure management. Establish and monitor key performance indicators to track the institute's progress toward its goals. Coordinate with internal advisory boards, external stakeholders, and partners to drive strategic decisions and maintain alignment with institutional goals.
• 
  Innovation & Research Management: Drive the innovation pipeline from ideation to marketable products, focusing on the development and commercialization of digital health solutions.
• 
  Partnerships & Collaboration: Foster strong interdisciplinary partnerships within Houston Methodist, Rice University, and external stakeholders, including industry partners, government bodies, and venture capital.
• 
  Funding & Grant Acquisition: Drive fundraising efforts and targeted grant submissions to federal and private funding agencies such as the NIH, NSF, and ARPA-H, in collaboration with faculty and researchers.
• 
  Technology Transfer & Commercialization: Lead efforts to commercialize research outputs by collaborating with technology transfer offices and industry partners. Implement product development and IP management strategies.

On-campus position: This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Business Administration, Data Science, or Engineering.

Experience

• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in digital health, research administration, or a related field.
  
  
  • Experience working with academic institutions and healthcare systems is strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record of leading large-scale research initiatives, securing grants, and building interdisciplinary teams.
  • Proven track record of leadership in healthcare innovation, ideally with experience in managing interdisciplinary teams
  • Extensive experience in securing grants and managing large-scale R&D programs (e.g., FDA, NSF).
  • Deep understanding of the challenges in translating academic research into clinical applications, along with the ability to guide innovation to market.
  • Strong background in IP management, product commercialization, and building public-private partnerships.
  
  

Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic leadership, operational management, and driving organizational growth.
• Deep understanding of digital health technologies, research methodologies, and healthcare data science.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in securing grants and successfully managing large-scale research programs or projects.
• Proven ability to develop partnerships, drive results, and foster a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Expertise in navigating regulatory pathways (FDA, CE marking) and healthcare product development cycles
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate the Institute's vision to diverse audiences, including industry leaders, academics, and healthcare professionals.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset, with a track record of driving innovation to market.
• Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and fostering collaboration between engineering, clinical, and research professionals.

Preferences:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Business Administration, Data Science, or Engineering.
• Relevant certifications or memberships in digital health, research management, or healthcare leadership are a plus.
• Experience working with academic institutions and healthcare systems is strongly preferred.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the institute's strategic plan in alignment with the broader goals of Houston Methodist and Rice University.
• Provide visionary leadership to steer research initiatives, educational programs, and community engagement.
• Ensure the integration of DHI's objectives with the missions of both institutions to build a world-class research institute in digital health.

Operational Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the DHI, including budgeting, resource allocation, and infrastructure management.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to track the institute's progress toward its goals.
• Coordinate with internal advisory boards, external stakeholders, and partners to drive strategic decisions and maintain alignment with institutional goals.

Staff and Team Leadership

• Recruit, hire, and manage essential team members, including program managers, data scientists, and subject matter experts.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work culture that supports research excellence and operational success.
• Mentor and develop staff, promoting career growth and skill enhancement to ensure high levels of engagement and productivity.

Research and Program Development

• Lead the identification and launch of core research projects and pilot programs aligned with the institute's strategic priorities.
• Oversee the development and implementation of educational curricula and digital health training programs, ensuring that they reflect the latest trends and innovations in the field.
• Ensure that research programs are well-positioned for national and international funding opportunities.

Partnerships and Fundraising

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with industry partners, healthcare institutions, government agencies, and venture capitalists to advance DHI's goals.
• Lead fundraising efforts by identifying funding sources, preparing grant proposals, and managing philanthropic campaigns in collaboration with Houston Methodist and Rice University.
• Represent the DHI in external meetings, conferences, and public forums to build the institute's profile and secure external support.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Develop and execute community outreach strategies to raise awareness of digital health innovations and engage stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the foundations of Houston Methodist and Rice University on philanthropic and fundraising efforts.
• Promote the achievements and impact of DHI through public relations, marketing, and other outreach efforts.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Implement systems for tracking progress on research, funding, and operational performance, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Prepare and present regular progress reports to stakeholders, advisory boards, and institutional leadership.
• Ensure continuous improvement through data-driven insights and strategic adjustments.

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.

Apply Now