Rice University · 1 day ago
Department Administrator
Houston, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
3+ years expRice University, ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities, is seeking a Department Administrator for the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. This role serves as the chief administrative and financial leader, overseeing departmental operations, budgets, and staff management while collaborating closely with the department chair and faculty.
EducationHigher EducationService IndustryUniversities
Responsibilities
Leads and manages all departmental administrative staff, ensuring a focus on the work as an expression of the social context
Supports the department chair with strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives and serves as a trusted advisor to the chair
Serves a primary role in the development and implementation of the annual budget and short- and long-term budget planning
Develops and oversees departmental budgets, endowments, faculty funds, research accounts, and gift accounts
Manages budget monitoring, expenditure review and approval, processing payments, conducting financial analyses, creating forecasts, and identifying trends
Manages financial operations including general ledger oversight, balance transfers, payroll, effort reporting, and cost center responsibilities
Oversees the administrative aspects of graduate and undergraduate program operations, including admissions, curriculum, accreditation, course management, and student support
Coordinates faculty searches and the promotion and tenure process
Directs departmental operations such as facilities, space allocation, equipment inventory, procurement, events, and workflow approvals
Manages the human resources function for department staff, including staff recruitment and retention
Provides guidance on the interpretation, implementation, and compliance with university policies and regulations
Manages pre- and post-award research administration, including faculty research funds, internal projects, grant proposals and submissions, working closely with faculty
Manages the connective communications and outreach plans that may include relationship development, event management, and community-building
Partners with the Dean’s office and central administrative units (e.g., Payroll, HR, Research) to resolve issues and advance departmental initiatives
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of related experience in one or more of the following: Business management/administration/operations, Human resources administration/training and development, Supervisory experience, Research administration, grants, and contracts with federal or state agencies, Strategic planning
In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
Demonstrated leadership, staff supervision, and team-building skills
Skilled at navigating complex interpersonal dynamics and interacting with people of varied temperaments in a calm and diplomatic manner
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial/data management systems
Strong financial acumen with experience in budget oversight and research funding
Excellent data reporting skills
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and interpersonal)
Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Proven ability to see projects through from beginning to end
Preferred
Expert knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs to either complete work assignments or direct the completion of work assignments
Excellent data reporting skills
Advanced verbal and written communication skills
Advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills
Ability to work independently or supervise others, ensuring the timely completion of work
Resource management skills
Project management skills
University experience
Company
Rice University
Rice University is a private research university that focuses on providing undergraduate education services.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Rice University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (113)
2024 (81)
2023 (71)
2022 (65)
2021 (82)
2020 (86)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$80.9MKey Investors
National Heart, Lung and Blood InstituteAdvanced Research Projects Agency for HealthUS Department of Energy
2024-09-19Grant
2024-08-13Grant· $18M
2023-07-27Grant
Leadership Team
Ken Medlock
James A Baker III and Susan G Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics
Kyle Judah
Executive Director, Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie)
Recent News
2025-12-16
2025-12-16
2025-11-23
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