Executive Administrator

Rice University•Houston, TX

2d•$100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Computer Science is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Department Business Administrator to serve as its senior administrative leader and oversee the department’s administrative and operational functions. Reporting to and working closely with the department chair, this role provides leadership, management, and strategic direction across the department’s core business and academic support areas, ensuring effective operations, strong internal coordination, and alignment with Rice University policies and procedures. This role serves as a key advisor and strategic partner to the department chair and faculty on complex departmental matters, while overseeing departmental staff responsible for supporting faculty, staff, and students. Success in this role requires translating departmental priorities into effective administrative operations, strengthening coordination and accountability across functions, and ensuring the department is well-positioned to respond to evolving needs and opportunities. The Executive Department Business Administrator brings structure, judgment, and follow-through to the department’s work so that academic and operational priorities advance in a timely, thoughtful, and well-coordinated manner. Ideal Candidate Statement: The ideal candidate will be a highly credible and strategic administrative leader with experience supporting academic leadership in a complex environment. They will bring strong judgment, policy fluency, and the ability to manage sensitive and high-impact matters with professionalism, discretion, and confidence. The successful candidate will be able to build trust quickly, lead through influence, and work effectively across departmental, school, and broader institutional contexts. They will be collaborative and solutions-oriented, while also comfortable exercising oversight, reinforcing expectations, and ensuring accountability in support of departmental priorities. This role is best suited for a leader who can connect institutional processes to departmental needs, improve administrative effectiveness, and translate leadership priorities into coordinated action. Experience in faculty affairs, academic administration, or similarly complex school- or department-level operations is strongly valued, along with the ability to bring both strategic perspective and strong operational execution to a large and visible academic department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, finance, higher education administration, public administration, or a closely related field In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on a year-for-year basis may be substituted
A 5+ years of progressive administrative experience is required, including a proven track record of leading complex projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, or managing departmental operations within a multifaceted organizational or academic environment.
Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to guide teams, delegate effectively, establish expectations, and build accountability across functions
Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to navigate sensitive matters with discretion, professionalism, and sound reasoning
Strong strategic and operational thinking skills, with the ability to translate leadership priorities into effective processes, coordinated action, and measurable follow-through
Excellent communication and relationship-management skills, including the ability to build trust, advise stakeholders, and address complex issues with clarity and tact
Strong project and change management skills, including the ability to lead complex initiatives, improve workflows, and implement sustainable administrative practices
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess needs, identify risks or gaps, and recommend practical, well-reasoned solutions
Ability to oversee multiple areas of responsibility simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and alignment with broader organizational priorities
Ability to work effectively in a complex, collaborative environment with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and evolving needs
Strong knowledge of administrative operations, policy interpretation, and process management within a complex organization
Strong financial and operational acumen, including the ability to interpret data, monitor trends, and support sound planning and resource stewardship

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting faculty affairs, academic leadership, or other high-impact functions in a complex university environment
Experience working across both department-level and broader school, college, or central administrative contexts
Comprehensive knowledge of human resources processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, performance management, position development, employee relations, and compensation-related actions
Proven ability to manage high-stakes administrative cycles and regulatory requirements, including the coordination of complex approvals, submissions, compliance-driven processes, or other time-sensitive institutional actions
Substantial experience supporting academic programs and student-related administrative operations, including the interpretation of complex policies, coordination of funding or fellowship processes, and management of related departmental workflows
Experience leading process improvement or administrative modernization efforts

Responsibilities

Serve as the department’s senior administrative leader and provide high-level oversight of administrative and operational functions in alignment with departmental and university priorities
Advise the department chair, faculty, and staff on complex administrative, operational, financial, and policy matters requiring sound judgment and broad institutional perspective
Lead the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of departmental operations across core functional areas, which may include finance, human resources, academic administration, faculty support, student support, communications, and related activities
Translate departmental priorities into effective administrative plans, coordinated workflows, and actionable next steps; monitor progress and help ensure timely follow-through
Supervise and develop departmental staff responsible for administrative operations and support functions; set expectations, provide guidance, and promote accountability and effective service delivery
Interpret, apply, and help ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, and administrative requirements; identify issues and recommend appropriate action when needed
Identify operational needs, process gaps, and emerging risks; develop and implement improvements that strengthen effectiveness, coordination, and accountability
Provide leadership in budget planning and financial administration, including forecasting, expenditure monitoring, analysis, and other related financial activities
Oversee human resources-related administrative functions for the department, including support for hiring, onboarding, position management, and related personnel processes
Support faculty-related administrative processes, which may include searches, appointments, promotion and tenure activities, reviews, and other academic personnel matters
Oversee or coordinate administrative support for academic programs, student-related processes, and departmental events or outreach activities, as applicable
Represent the department in collaboration with school leadership, central administrative offices, and other internal or external partners as needed
Participate in strategic planning, goal setting, and organizational decision-making to support the department’s long-term effectiveness and evolving needs
Perform all other duties as assigned