Program administrator Jobs in Houston, TX

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.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment. We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Program Administrator advances the School of Engineering and Computing’s Academic Affairs function by implementing and managing programs that contribute to the school’s academic priorities and student-facing initiatives. This role oversees a portfolio of programs and processes related to scholarships, student engagement, and academic programming, ensuring effective coordination, execution, and continuous improvement.

Working in close partnership with the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the Program Administrator IV manages complex, cross-functional initiatives and helps align program operations with broader academic and strategic goals. This position plays a key role in evaluating existing processes, identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness, and developing and implementing solutions that enhance program delivery and stakeholder experience.

The ideal candidate is an experienced professional who brings sound judgment, initiative, and a strong sense of ownership to their work. They are skilled at managing competing priorities, navigating complex environments, and building effective working relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, including faculty, students, and central administrative partners. They bring the ability to both manage programs effectively and contribute thoughtful improvements that strengthen operations and support broader academic affairs goals.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is expected to be primarily in person to support training, relationship building, and continuity of operations. A hybrid work arrangement may be considered thereafter based on business need. Per , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: This is a part-time position (30 hours per week). The full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) salary range is $70,000 – $75,000 annually. Actual compensation will be prorated based on scheduled hours.

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Three or more (3+) years of relevant experience managing work across multiple priorities and stakeholder groups

Skills:

• Advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and sound judgment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to varied audiences
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects in a dynamic environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to synthesize information and support informed decision-making
• Strong client service orientation and ability to cultivate and manage collaborative partnerships
• Knowledge of budgeting principles, financial planning, and resource management

Preferences:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Experience identifying and implementing improvements to processes, workflows, or program operations
• Experience supporting or managing budgets, financial planning, or resource allocation
• Experience working in complex organizational environments or on high-visibility initiatives

Essential Functions:

• Leads the coordination and administration of Academic Affairs programs and initiatives, including scholarships, student engagement activities, and academic programming, ensuring alignment with school priorities and consistent, high-quality execution.
• Evaluates and improves program operations and processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and strengthen the overall effectiveness of program delivery.
• Takes the lead on complex, cross-functional initiatives, coordinating across faculty, departments, and central administrative offices to ensure alignment, clear communication, and successful execution.
• Develops and implements strategies related to outreach, events, and stakeholder engagement, including planning and overseeing large-scale academic events and student-facing initiatives.
• Manages scholarship and award processes, including coordination, tracking, reporting, and continuous refinement of processes to support accuracy, transparency, and stakeholder needs.
• Develops reports and analyzes data related to programs, scholarships, and student initiatives to inform decision-making, support leadership needs, and communicate outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
• Leads or supports the development of program-related communications, including reports, presentations, and materials for faculty, leadership, and external partners.
• Coordinates and strengthens partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, student organizations, development, communications, and industry partners, to support program goals.
• Oversees financial aspects of program operations, including monitoring budgets, tracking expenditures, supporting financial planning, and coordinating with administrative partners to ensure effective use of funds.
• Provides guidance and direction to student workers or temporary staff, as needed, to support program activities and ensure continuity of operations.
• Contributes to short- and long-term planning efforts within Academic Affairs by identifying trends, anticipating needs, and recommending program enhancements aligned with strategic goals.
• Performs all other duties as assigned in support of program success and the broader objectives of Academic Affairs.