Director of Administration - 4171

$34,000 - $76,000/Yr

William Marsh Rice University - Houston, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Onsite - Houston, TX

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Administration at Rice University's School of Architecture is a senior staff position responsible for overseeing administrative processes and human resources. Reporting directly to the Dean of Architecture, this role involves advising on academic planning, managing faculty and staff lifecycle activities, and ensuring organizational efficiency. The Director will implement HR strategies that align with the university's goals and promote a positive culture within the school, driving efficient daily operations in support of long-term strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full range of faculty and staff lifecycle activities including job descriptions, postings, searches, hiring, and onboarding.
• Manage faculty and staff contracts, appointments, reappointments, and leaves independently.
• Lead and coordinate all aspects of the school's promotion and tenure process.
• Plan school events, including calendar management, faculty and staff meetings, and retreats.
• Champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the school.
• Drive strategic initiatives and manage special projects as assigned.
• Assist and support the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accreditation process.
• Maintain HR records and act as the subject matter expert for policy interpretation and compliance.
• Anticipate problems and formulate plans/strategies to resolve or prevent them.
• Manage employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, ensuring fair treatment of all employees.
• Represent the school at the university level and/or to external constituencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in higher education administration, human resources, or business management.
• Four or more years of relevant experience in higher education administration, human resources, or business management.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and database software programs.
• Excellent data reporting, presentation, verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, resource management, and project management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously or supervise others ensuring timely completion of work.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree
• Proficiency in the HCM module in iO (Oracle Cloud)
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, including Adobe Acrobat
• Experience with international visa processing
• Experience with HR employment procedures
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume office environment
• Experience in academic administration.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan options
• Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance programs