Program Administrator at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

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.

Position Summary:

The Program Administrator in the Department of Psychological Sciences manages the department's Ph.D. program, Master's degree programs and undergraduate program and is responsible for devising operational plans to achieve the stated goals and objectives for the programs. This includes administering key functions such as operations, student support and recruitment, human resources, events, outreach and communications. The program administrator also provides general administrative support for the Psychological Sciences Department.

Workplace Requirements:

Hybrid position: After a probationary period, this position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work 1-2 days per week to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change."

Hiring Range: $60,000-$63,000

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

Minimum Requirements:

Education minimum requirement: Bachelor's Degree

In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and that is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

Minimum Experience Required: 2+ years related administrative experience in an office or academic setting

Skills:

- Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
- Advanced problem solving skills
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Strong data analysis skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
- Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
- Strong client service orientation and attention to detail
- Ability to develop complex or multiple program partnerships and funding sources

Preferences:

• Experience working at Rice University or another institute of higher education
• Experience using Oracle Cloud ERP system
• Experience using Slate

- Administers program operations, ensuring efficient, effective and productive operations

- Creates and implements plans to achieve program objectives and mission

- Responsible for graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, coordinating the accreditation process, managing scholarships and fellowships, and monitoring student progress

- Interprets, implements, and ensures compliance with policies and regulations and recommends changes to procedures and processes

- Analyzes data, identifies trends, develops reports and recommends and implements changes to improve alignment with institutional mission and goals

- Creates and implements outreach plans that may include relationship development, communications, event and conference management

- Provides support in developing relationships with internal and external entities

- Creates budget plans, monitors and approves expenditures, develops reports, conducts analyses and manages and maintains financial records

- Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

-Manages and administers the contract renewal and promotion and tenure process for the department, including creating dossiers for tenure track, teaching ranks and research faculty.

-Oversees the graduate programs for the department, including maintaining records regarding candidacy, defenses, various time deadlines, making sure all students are on track with requirements, leaves of absence, tuition worksheets, keeping track of thesis and dissertation committees, maintain the Graduate Handbook on the website, maintain all graduate student files and process grad student expenses

-Oversees the graduate admissions process for Masters and PhD programs, including organizing application documents, managing Perspectives Weekend, managing new student orientation, and entering students information into Slate

-Works with Department Administrator and Graduate Committee Chair to see what funds are available for incoming students and assign graduate/undergraduate students as TA's for courses

-Assists with faculty searches, including travel and lodging arrangements, and meeting and dinner schedules with faculty

-Assists with course scheduling and new course proposals

-Works with Undergraduate Committee on Psi Chi induction and events

-Generates and processes invoices, supply/equipment purchases, travel arrangements and reimbursements, honorarium requests, check requests, fiscal transactions, and other reimbursements for faculty, staff, students and department visitors

-Responsible for all end-of-year graduate and undergraduate awards, as well as ordering commencement faculty regalia, gathering commencement attendance information

-Maintains and updates department website and listservs and responsible for department directory and space reporting

-Manages department events and marketing materials

-Responsible for academic visitor set-up

-Provides back-up support to the department administrator either during peak workloads or during absence

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.