Rice University · 10 hours ago
Assistant Registrar (Operations and Strategy) - Office of the Registrar
Allen Center 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77005, US
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
3+ years expRice University is a prestigious institution ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities, known for its commitment to quality education and community values. The Assistant Registrar, Operations and Strategy will oversee operational functions within the Office of the Registrar, managing student records and academic administration while enhancing efficiency and transparency in processes.
EducationHigher EducationService IndustryUniversities
Responsibilities
Collaborate with OTR leadership to define operational priorities and annual goals. Translate high-level strategic directives into actionable project plans with defined milestones and deliverables
Own and manage the comprehensive OTR master production calendar. Proactively coordinate with Information Technology, Financial Aid, Admission, and Bursar to ensure critical dependencies are aligned
Lead business process analysis initiatives. Audit existing workflows to identify bottlenecks, reduce manual processing, and mitigate error rates through automation and standardization
Direct major university-wide cyclical events in which OTR is involved, ensuring timelines, communications, and system readiness are aligned
Serve as the functional lead for implementing new operational policies. Ensure that changes to academic policy are accurately reflected in system setups and operational procedures
Design and execute timely, transparent communication plans for the university community regarding registration, grading, academic deadlines, and policy changes, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and risk mitigation
Assist in the production and editing of the General Announcements (University Catalog), ensuring alignment between published policy and operational practice
Serve as the primary editor for the internal OTR Wiki and standard operating procedures. Maintain institutional knowledge and ensure staff have access to current, accurate, and actionable documentation
Oversee the quality of service delivered through the ticketing system, phone, and office chatbot. Analyze inquiry trends and data to identify recurring pain points and recommend systemic solutions to reduce volume and improve user experience
Oversee relationships and workflows with credentialing and transcript vendors (e.g., Parchment Award), ensuring service quality, compliance, and data accuracy
Contribute to the registration and record maintenance for visiting students, inter-institutional enrollments, and other non-degree populations
Ensure all record-keeping practices strictly adhere to FERPA regulations and university data security policies
Execute complex data cleanup and integrity audits
Supervise assigned professional staff and student workers. Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular evaluations, and manage daily workflow distribution
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Train staff not only on how to perform tasks but on the strategic importance of data integrity and service excellence
Manage and maintain the data and corresponding communications within an assigned (Office of the Registrar) functional area, using specialized software and programs
Maintain complete current and historical records, both electronic and paper, ensuring the ability to quickly retrieve information, generate reports, and provide additional statistical insights as needed
Manage and perform the comprehensive review, maintenance, submission, and changes to records and data within an assigned functional area; ensures timely updates and accuracy across all official documentation (university and office policies, business process documentation, the university’s General Announcements, etc.)
Ensure meticulous adherence to data entry timelines and introduces new innovative methods for meeting deadlines or facilitating the seamless transfer of data to enhance overall efficiency
Coordinate the ongoing development, adherence, and maintenance of standards, policies, and procedures; documents business processes, office policies, and procedures; and routinely audits documentation
Perform high-detail analyses and routine data integrity audits; consistently reviews and analyzes data and ensures consistent data accuracy
Ensure the conformity of record release procedures to the applicable policies and legal requirements governing the confidentiality of student records, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and all other applicable laws and regulations
Provide regular guidance, instruction, and direction in response to inquiries and requests for information from the university community
Perform all other duties as required
Has shared responsibility for the content on the Office of the Registrar web pages; contributes toward the development and editing of website informational text to communicate policies and procedures to the university community and beyond
Has shared responsibility to make ongoing updates and improvements to Office of the Registrar business process documentation (specifically the OTRwiki, monthly task schedules, and the OTR annual production calendar)
Serves as a customer service representative for the Office of the Registrar, serves as a backup to other professional staff, and assists in other office functional tasks, as needed
Maintains current professional knowledge in the registrar profession, including in the area of student records management and student records technology; researches and suggests options for new technologies to improve efficiency and functionality
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree
Three or more (3+) years of related experience
Demonstrated experience in an office or administrative environment, preferably experience in records (and data) management, accounting, or another closely related field
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; excellent customer service skills
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of accuracy and an uncompromising attention to detail
Experience with PC computers, including intermediate- to advanced-level proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of software applications; intermediate understanding of database concepts
Knowledge of higher education academic curriculum: the relationship between degrees, majors, and where applicable, major concentrations, minors, and certificates
Experience and understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including how they are applied within their assigned functional area
A high level of business acumen, professionalism, and maturity, including the ability to maintain confidence with sensitive student records information
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work assignments
Preferred
Advanced Degree
Five or more (5+) years of related experience
Experience in higher education, particularly experience in a college or university Registrar's Office
Experience and history in participating in professional organizations (e.g., TACRAO, SACRAO, AACRAO) and contributions to the registrar profession
Technical skill and experience with specialized software tools commonly used in Registrar's Offices, such as Ellucian Banner, Degree Works, Leepfrog CourseLeaf products (CAT, CIM, CLSS), etc
Skill and experience interfacing software tools (SQL Developer, Access, etc.) with Oracle tables and views, formulating queries, form design and reporting, etc
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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