Strategic Initiatives Project Manager

Rice University; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University is seeking a Strategic Initiatives Project Manager to drive Vision 2030 for the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. The role coordinates cross‑school programs, builds implementation plans, and tracks progress with senior leaders.

Primarily on-campus with some flexibility for remote work, the position requires strong organization, communication, and the ability to move multiple initiatives to completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in program administration, project or initiative management.
• Experience coordinating complex work across multiple stakeholders and communicating progress to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation plans for strategic initiatives and school‑level programs, translating priorities into milestones and measures of progress.
• Maintain visibility across a portfolio of initiatives, monitor progress and keep work moving toward goals.
• Build relationships across departments and university partners to coordinate work and resolve barriers.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Strategic planning

Communication

Execution & delivery

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Description

Vision 2030, the strategic plan for the George R. Brown School ofEngineering and Computing, sets a clear direction for the School'sfuture, with leaders across the School championing its priorities.The Strategic Initiatives Project Manager will help turn thatdirection into results by coordinating efforts, tracking progress,and keeping key initiatives on course.

The position supports the implementation of key elements of Vision2030, as well as other school-wide programs and priorities. Workingwith the stakeholders responsible for each initiative, the positionwill develop implementation plans, establish timelines andmilestones, maintain visibility into progress, and help ensurecommitments continue to move forward. The role will also directlyexecute assigned work, including planning and delivering events,coordinating outreach activities, and supporting other initiativesthat advance the School’s priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Assistant Dean for Human Resources andAdministration and working closely with the Dean and other schoolleaders, this role requires strong judgment, organization,communication, and follow-through. It is structured as anindividual contributor position with responsibility forindependently coordinating and carrying work forward throughrelationships and collaboration across the School. Success requiressomeone who takes ownership of the work, stays responsive andengaged, and consistently brings initiatives through tocompletion.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is someone others count on to get things done.They are organized without being rigid, and just as comfortablebuilding a project timeline as they are running an event. Theyenjoy working with a wide variety of people, from faculty and staffto senior leaders, and know how to earn cooperation through trust,credibility, and consistent follow-through rather thanauthority.

They notice when something is drifting off track and address itearly and constructively, with good judgment about when to handlean issue themselves and when to bring it to leadership. They takeownership of their work, communicate clearly, and find realsatisfaction in seeing a plan become a result. Above all, they aremotivated by helping others succeed and by contributing tosomething larger than any single project.

Workplace Location:

This position is primarily in person, with some flexibility forremote work. Because the role centers on building relationships andworking closely with faculty, staff, and leadership across theSchool, a strong on-campus presence is essential.

Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support eventsand programs.

Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject tochange.

Hiring Range: $80,000/annually

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree.
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional relatedexperience, above and beyond what is required, may be substitutedon an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Three or more (3+) years of progressive experience in programadministration, project or initiative management, strategicimplementation, business operations, events, program execution, ora related area, including experience coordinating complex workacross multiple stakeholders, managing concurrent priorities, andcommunicating progress and outcomes to leadership.

Preferences:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experiencemanaging complex programs, projects, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in a university, research, nonprofit, orsimilarly decentralized environment.
• Demonstrated success coordinating work across multiplestakeholders and creating accountability without directauthority.
• Experience supporting senior leaders by translating prioritiesinto actionable plans and providing clear updates on progress,risks, and outcomes.
• Experience managing high-visibility programs or events,budgets, and the processes needed to support effectiveexecution.

Essential Functions:

• Manages implementation plans for strategic initiatives andschool-level programs, translating established priorities intoclear milestones, timelines, responsibilities, and measures ofprogress.
• Maintains visibility across a portfolio of initiatives andprograms, monitors progress against commitments, and works withcontributors to keep work moving toward established goals.
• Builds strong working relationships across academicdepartments, administrative teams, and university partners tocoordinate work, resolve barriers, and support successfuloutcomes.
• Identifies emerging issues and risks, works proactively toaddress routine challenges, and elevates matters requiringleadership attention with clear context and recommended nextsteps.
• Prepares concise progress reports and other materials thatprovide leadership with an accurate view of accomplishments,priorities, outstanding commitments, and program outcomes.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates school programs andinitiatives, using data, feedback, and lessons learned to recommendimprovements and strengthen future execution.
• Coordinates and implements major school programs, events, andother high-visibility activities in partnership with Development,Marketing and Communications, academic departments, and otheruniversity units.
• Supports the implementation of outreach, communication,partnership, and development activities associated with assignedprograms and initiatives.
• Develops and maintains project plans, operating tools,documentation, and repeatable processes that strengthen continuityand accountability across initiatives.
• Manages assigned program and initiative budgets, monitorsexpenditures, and coordinates with appropriate financial partnersto support effective use of resources.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal EmploymentOpportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into ourcandidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, geneticinformation, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice alsoprovides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons withdisabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodationfor any part of the application or hiring process, please get intouch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail] . Thank you for yourinterest in employment with Rice University.