Associate Director

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter 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, lecture 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:
Rice University is enhancing its commitment to inclusive education by broadening support services for students with disabilities and those experiencing previously undiagnosed learning differences. This initiative includes the reorganization of the Disability Resource Center and the establishment of a new Student Disability Resource Center. The Associate Director of the Student Disability Resource Center plays a key role in advancing the university’s commitment to inclusivity by providing leadership, support, and management for disability services and accommodations. This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and university policies related to accessibility and disability services. The Associate Director works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and various departments across the university to create an accessible and supportive learning environment for students with disabilities.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for Associate Director is a knowledgeable and collaborative professional with a strong understanding of disability services in higher education. In addition to experience in implementing accommodations, the candidate will work closely with students, faculty, and staff to develop a culture of inclusion. The candidate should possess excellent communication and leadership skills to promote and support the university’s mission of accessibility and ensure compliance while enhancing the student experience. They should also be proficient with disability services management software, possess strong planning and analytical skills, and have a proven ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources effectively.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all in-person duties at Rice University. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $68,000–$75,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in higher education, special education, social work, psychology, or a related field required
• 2+ years of experience in disability services or a related field in higher education. 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:

• Strong understanding of disability-related issues in higher education and best practices for supporting students with disabilities
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and external partners
• Experience developing and delivering workshops, training, and presentations
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines effectively
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic academic environment
• Experience with disability services management software or similar tools
• Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good judgment and innovative, creative problem-solving
• Demonstrated ability to manage