Project Manager

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and 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:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Project Manager will plan and implement projects efficiently, maximizing the productivity of the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (OCFR) in the Development and Alumni Relations Division (DAR) at Rice University. Working with colleagues in OCFR, in DAR, and across the larger university, this position will coordinate the planning and execution of marketing and communication efforts aimed at both external and internal audiences. The Project Manager will be detail-oriented and lead the execution of an annual calendar of marketing and communication and other projects, defining key deliverables, assigning tasks, and meeting all goals and deadlines.  As part of the workflow, the Project Manager will be comfortable leveraging key resources, including working with partners across campus to optimize data and information sharing. In particular, the project manager will work closely with the central DAR Marketing and Communications team to submit creative work requests, utilize a shared project management system, ensure brand alignment, seek technical guidance, and collaborate on strategy. The Project Manager will also lead regular check-in meetings to ensure assigned tasks are completed, coordinate as necessary with external vendors, and continuously evaluate and report on project metrics. The Project Manager will join a dynamic, high-performing, and energetic OCFR team and will have the opportunity to contribute to key communications strategies, provide overall project management leadership, and define best practices via documentation and training.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate will be a driven and extremely organized self-starter who thrives in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. 

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

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 1 years of related professional experience, including marketing experience

Skills:

• Ability to productively assemble, engage, and lead cross-functional teams
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to balance expectations with project reality
• Demonstrates resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
• Keen grasp of interpersonal and impact awareness
• Proficiency in writing, editing, and proofing, with knowledge of grammar and punctuation
• Ability to understand complex materials and synthesize them across multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences
• Firm understanding of technologies and applications, including social networking, social media tools, and current communication trends
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple deadlines and priorities
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Excellent attention to detail

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, advertising, or public relations
• 2 years of related professional experience, including experience with formal project management for a marketing/communications team
• Marketing or communications experience in a progressively responsible role in a multi-faceted organization
• Experience in a higher education or nonprofit organization
• Experience in an advancement organization
• Working knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or other advancement system
• Experience in manipulating database information
• Experience with direct mail projects and interfacing with print vendors

Essential Functions:

• Provides strategic direction and analysis for marketing and communications efforts within the OCFR team
• Provides written Creative Work Plans for each project that detail the overall objectives and deliverables along with the strategic and functional elements needed to execute each component
• Builds comprehensive timelines and manages day-to-day project management of assigned projects
• Reviews and analyzes programs to track the success of each project and suggests innovations for future versions 
• Defines and incorporates innovative strategies and best practices in all marketing and communication materials 
• Creates operating plan annually for overall marketing and communications efforts with team buy-in
• Uses data and metrics to report on project success and make suggestions for improvement
• Serves as a consultant to program leads to make sure that best practices are consistently used and that projects are completed efficiently and on time
• Partners with the DAR Marketing and Communications team and other divisional partners to determine overall strategy, copy edit when needed, and provide design feedback when requested
• Manages vendors on specific projects
• Performs all other duties as assigned 

Additional Functions:

• Responsible for budget oversight and cost control pertaining to individual projects
• Extensive contact within the university at all levels and with outside vendors
• Occasionally, work may extend beyond business hours to meet deadlines, and attendance at after-hours departmental events on or off campus may be required
• Plan and facilitate meetings with internal and external partners

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

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