Rice University · 6 hours ago
Senior Department Business Administrator
Greater Houston
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$87K/yr - $92K/yr
4+ years expRice University is a prestigious institution ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities, located in Houston, Texas. They are seeking a Senior Department Business Administrator to provide leadership and oversight for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, focusing on administrative, financial, and operational functions.
EducationHigher EducationService IndustryUniversities
Responsibilities
Provide leadership and oversight for all departmental administrative operations, including supervision and development of staff supporting academic, research, and student programs
Direct and integrate core administrative functions of the department, including financial management, research administration, academic and program administration, human resources, communications and outreach, and compliance
Partner with the Department Chair and faculty to plan, coordinate, and execute administrative and operational initiatives in support of departmental priorities
Serve as the department’s primary administrative representative, coordinating with the school and central university offices and providing guidance on the interpretation and application of university policies, sponsor requirements, and regulatory frameworks
Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the department’s annual budget and multi-year financial planning, serving as the department’s primary financial manager and advisor to the Chair
Oversee complex financial operations, including budget monitoring, expenditure review and approval, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting to support sound decision-making
Provide oversight of pre- and post-award research administration, ensuring effective coordination, compliance, and support for faculty research activities
Oversee human resources and academic personnel functions, including staff hiring and supervision, performance management and development, faculty appointments and promotion processes, and coordination of visa-related matters for international faculty, staff, and students
Provide oversight for graduate and undergraduate program administration, including admissions, student funding and fellowships, curriculum support, accreditation activities, and coordination with advising functions
Guide and support administrative services to faculty, ensuring clarity, consistency, accountability, and alignment with university practices
Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and institutional goals
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
Four or more (4+) years of experience in an administrative role with significant financial and supervisory management
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and data and reporting tools to independently complete complex work and guide others in accurate, timely execution
Experience with enterprise-scale financial, HR, and administrative systems (e.g., Oracle, PeopleSoft, or comparable platforms)
Strong analytical and data reporting skills, with the ability to translate information into clear, decision-supporting insights
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and senior leadership
Demonstrated sound judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in complex or ambiguous situations
Proven leadership and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize, allocate resources, and manage competing demands
Ability to influence, guide, and build consensus across roles and perspectives without reliance on formal authority
Ability to work independently and lead teams, ensuring accountability, follow-through, and high standards of performance
Preferred
Seven or more (7+) years of progressively responsible administrative and/or supervisory experience
Experience supporting research administration, including familiarity with sponsor requirements, research expenditures, and related compliance considerations
Demonstrated expertise in department-level financial management, including development and oversight of complex budgets, stewardship of multiple funding sources, forecasting, and financial decision-making in support of academic and research priorities
Experience with graduate program administration and graduate student funding models
Prior administrative experience in a college, university, or research-based academic setting
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 Institute"Advanced 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
2026-01-25
2026-01-19
Company data provided by crunchbase