Operations and Events Administrator (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Operations and Events Administrator serves as the first point of contact for students, faculty, staff, and visitors in the School of Humanities, providing exceptional customer service and administrative support. This role is critical in creating a welcoming and professional environment and requires excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. The incumbent manages a variety of administrative tasks, including answering phones and emails, directing inquiries, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, and assisting with events and office operations. The position involves working closely with multiple departments and units within the school to ensure the efficient flow of information and support daily activities.

Key responsibilities include managing front desk operations, handling sensitive or confidential information, responding to inquiries via phone, email, or in person, and supporting events or special projects as needed. This role requires a proactive approach to customer service, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

The role also involves overseeing office logistics, such as ordering and maintaining office supplies, organizing conference rooms, and ensuring the office kitchen is well-stocked and properly maintained.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will be a team player eager to contribute to a collaborative, positive working environment. They will bring a solution-oriented mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to ensuring that the office functions smoothly while providing a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Workplace Requirements:

On campus position: This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at the School of Humanities Dean's Office, Monday-Friday from 8-5. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

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

Hiring Range: This position is benefits-eligible and exempt. It has an expected minimum salary of $61,000, dependent on experience and qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• 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
• 2+ years of experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Ability to establish and manage priorities and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with conflicting and varied deadlines
• Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tact
• Demonstrated creativity, problem-solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Preferences:

• Experience working with faculty and senior leadership
• Rice University experience

Essential Functions:

• Leads the operations of front desk office activities
• Supervise student workers, including scheduling, approval or timesheets, and assignment of tasks
• Manages and administers the procurement of office supplies and inventory
• Organizes and completes special office projects
• Identifies office operational issues and develops solutions,
• Oversee School of Humanities program(s): including financial, events, faculty support, and curricular management
• Participates as a team member for School of Humanities events
• Creates and manages, including implementation, events for the deans, programs, and student activities
• Independently prioritizes, plans, coordinates and / or oversees catering logistics for meetings and events in the Dean's Office
• Plans, coordinates and reconciles logistical aspects of meetings and events, including travel, accomodations, and honoraria payments.
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• May provide administrative support to Associate Deans
• May support special projects, such as external reviews.
• Assists with communications by managing physical bulletin boards and Live Whale.

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

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.