Senior Project Manager 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:

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Production, the Senior Project Manager will provide strategic direction for planning and implementing projects efficiently and maximizing the productivity of the marketing and communications team (Mar-Comm) in the Development and Alumni Relations Division (DAR) at Rice University. This position is integrally involved with planning and executing marketing campaigns such that overall goals and deadlines are met and utilizing the CRM and partnering with Mar-Comm leadership and the internal data team to ensure multichannel marketing efforts are executed seamlessly and effectively. Specifically, the Senior Project Manager is responsible for formally planning campaigns in coordination with DAR partners, defining deliverables and deadlines in a project management platform, and leading regular check-in meetings to ensure tasks are completed. Also, the Senior Project Manager will be directly responsible for executing direct mail initiatives in coordination with external print vendors and continuously evaluating and reporting on project metrics. The Senior Project Manager will join a dynamic and energetic marketing and communications team and will have the opportunity to contribute to key communications strategies and provide overall project management leadership and defining best practices via documentation and training.

The ideal candidate will be a driven and extremely organized self-starter, who thrives in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of two days per week in the office. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 2+ years of related professional experience, including marketing experience with online or direct mail program coordination

Skills:

• Ability to productively assemble, engage, and lead cross-functional teams
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to balance expectations with project reality
• Demonstrates resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship building, and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
• Keen grasp of interpersonal and impact awareness
• Proficiency in writing, editing, and proofing, with knowledge of grammar and punctuation
• Ability to understand complex materials and synthesize across multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences
• Firm understanding of technologies and applications, including social networking, social media tools, and current communication trends
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple deadlines and priorities
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Excellent attention to detail

Preferences:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, advertising, or public relations
• 3+ years of related professional experience, including experience with formal project management for a marketing/communications team
• Marketing or communications experience in a progressively responsible role in a multi-faceted organization
• Experience in a higher education or nonprofit organization
• Experience in an advancement organization
• Working knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or other advancement system
• Experience in manipulating database information
• Experience with direct mail projects and interfacing with print vendors

Essential Functions:

• Provides strategic direction and analysis for marketing and communications efforts within Development and Alumni Relations
• Provides written Creative Work Plans for each project that detail the overall objectives and deliverables along with the strategic and functional elements needed to execute each component
• Builds comprehensive timelines and manages day-to-day project management of assigned projects
• Reviews and analyzes programs to track the success of each campaign and suggests innovations for future appeals
• Defines and incorporates innovative strategies and best practices to be used in mail, electronic appeals, and in maintaining data integrity
• Creates operating plan annually for overall marketing and communications efforts with team buy-in
• Uses data and metrics to report on campaign success and make suggestions for improvement
• Serves as a consultant to program leads to make sure that best practices are consistently used and that projects are completed efficiently and on time
• Partners with other members of the DAR Marketing and Communications team and other divisional partners to determine overall strategy, copy edit when needed, and provide design feedback when requested
• Manages vendors on specific projects
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Responsible for budget oversight and cost control pertaining to individual direct marketing projects
• Extensive contact within the university at all levels and with outside vendors
• Occasionally, work may extend beyond business hours in order to meet deadlines, and attendance at after-hours departmental events on or off campus may be required
• Plan and facilitate meetings with internal and external partners
• Open office environment

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 and 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.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require 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.

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