Assistant Vice President, Housing, Dining, and Hospitality

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 Assistant Vice President serves as the senior executive leader responsible for the vision, strategy, and enterprise-level execution of Housing, Dining, and Hospitality operations at Rice University. The role oversees residential and retail dining, undergraduate and graduate housing, faculty club operations, contract services, campus bookstore operations, and associated support services. The Assistant Vice President of a self‑operated hospitality group is a key institutional leader advancing enrollment growth, student experience, financial sustainability, and capital development aligned with Rice University’s long‑term strategic priorities.

This portfolio represents approximately $60 million in annual operating revenue and a workforce of 270 employees, as well as 50 student workers.

The role provides executive oversight of a major capital portfolio exceeding $300 million, encompassing new residential colleges, major renovations, deferred maintenance modernization, dining facilities, and long‑range housing and dining master planning aimed at achieving and sustaining approximately 70% on‑campus residency. The Assistant Vice President plays a critical role in integrating capital strategy, financial stewardship, operational readiness, and student‑centered design in close partnership with central finance, facilities, and senior leadership.

The portfolio continues to expand through the development and launch of new retail and hospitality operations, including new concepts at the Moody Center for the Arts, the Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice Hospitality Catering, and strategic expansion into Athletics, the Ion Innovation District, Rice Memorial Center convenience store operations, the new student center wing dining services, and other emerging campus and off‑campus partnership opportunities. These initiatives require enterprise‑level planning, cross‑functional coordination, and innovative operating models that extend Rice Hospitality beyond traditional residential settings.

This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated, and work under the overall direction of the Incident Management Team for the duration of a campus emergency.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds several times each day. Requires walking or standing for up to eight hours per day. Other physical requirements include the ability to bend, crouch, kneel, lift, see, reach, climb, and balance. Must assist with removing recycling and heavy trash. Must be able to move throughout assigned areas, as work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Requires a full range of physical motion to operate manual and electrically powered cleaning equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work Environment: Primarily an indoor environment in various university settings, which may include offices, serveries, and residential facilities. May be exposed to temperature extremes in facilities that are not climate‑controlled.
Work Hazards: Some work may occur at elevated heights on ladders or scaffolding or in wet areas. Possible exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.
Work Schedule: Weekly schedule will vary and will include weekends and holidays. Must be available to work any required shift. Overtime is required weekly from May through August.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Hospitality, Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related discipline)
• 6+ years of progressive leadership experience in housing and/or dining operations within a higher education or similarly complex setting
• Demonstrated expertise in best practices and emerging trends in self‑operated housing and din