Strategic Initiatives Project Manager

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

The position supports the implementation of key elements of Vision 2030, as well as other school-wide programs and priorities. Working with the stakeholders responsible for each initiative, the position will develop implementation plans, establish timelines and milestones, maintain visibility into progress, and help ensure commitments continue to move forward. The role will also directly execute assigned work, including planning and delivering events, coordinating outreach activities, and supporting other initiatives that advance the School’s priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Assistant Dean for Human Resources and Administration and working closely with the Dean and other school leaders, this role requires strong judgment, organization, communication, and follow-through. It is structured as an individual contributor position with responsibility for independently coordinating and carrying work forward through relationships and collaboration across the School. Success requires someone who takes ownership of the work, stays responsive and engaged, and consistently brings initiatives through to completion.

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.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

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

They notice when something is drifting off track and address it early and constructively, with good judgment about when to handle an issue themselves and when to bring it to leadership. They take ownership of their work, communicate clearly, and find real satisfaction in seeing a plan become a result. Above all, they are motivated by helping others succeed and by contributing to something larger than any single project.

Workplace Location:

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

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

Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

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 related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

- Three or more (3+) years of progressive experience in program administration, project or initiative management, strategic implementation, business operations, events, program execution, or a related area, including experience coordinating complex work across multiple stakeholders, managing concurrent priorities, and communicating progress and outcomes to leadership.

Preferences:

- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience managing complex programs, projects, or strategic initiatives.
- Experience working in a university, research, nonprofit, or similarly decentralized environment.
- Demonstrated success coordinating work across multiple stakeholders and creating accountability without direct authority.
- Experience supporting senior leaders by translating priorities into 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 effective execution.

Essential Functions:

- Manages implementation plans for strategic initiatives and school-level programs, translating established priorities into clear milestones, timelines, responsibilities, and measures of progress.
- Maintains visibility across a portfolio of initiatives and programs, monitors progress against commitments, and works with contributors to keep work moving toward established goals.
- Builds strong working relationships across academic departments, administrative teams, and university partners to coordinate work, resolve barriers, and support successful outcomes.
- Identifies emerging issues and risks, works proactively to address routine challenges, and elevates matters requiring leadership attention with clear context and recommended next steps.
- Prepares concise progress reports and other materials that provide leadership with an accurate view of accomplishments, priorities, outstanding commitments, and program outcomes.
- Develops, implements, and evaluates school programs and initiatives, using data, feedback, and lessons learned to recommend improvements and strengthen future execution.
- Coordinates and implements major school programs, events, and other high-visibility activities in partnership with Development, Marketing and Communications, academic departments, and other university units.
- Supports the implementation of outreach, communication, partnership, and development activities associated with assigned programs and initiatives.
- Develops and maintains project plans, operating tools, documentation, and repeatable processes that strengthen continuity and accountability across initiatives.
- Manages assigned program and initiative budgets, monitors expenditures, and coordinates with appropriate financial partners to support effective use of resources.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.

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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 get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected] . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.