Senior Advisor to the Vice President for Enrollment

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, 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.

About the Enrollment Division:

The Enrollment Division, with over seventy-five highly talented professionals, leads all undergraduate admission and financial aid for the university. Included within the enrollment division is the Office of Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, Enrollment Marketing and Communication, Enrollment Systems and Operations, University Partnerships and Enrollment Analytics. The division has seen a doubling of applications since 2017 with nearly 37,000 applications and an admit rate under 8%. The division is also responsible for awarding millions of dollars in loan-free, grant aid through the Rice Investment, an innovative financial aid program that makes it clear for families what they will likely qualify for in advance of applying to the university. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Advisor to the Vice President for Enrollment serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader within the Division of Enrollment Management, reporting directly to the Vice President for Enrollment, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. This senior-level position is responsible for leading key division-wide projects, overseeing the implementation of the division’s strategic plan, and ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and goals. The Senior Advisor acts as a primary liaison between the Vice President, executive directors, directors, and deputy directors, facilitating communication, coordination, and execution of priorities across the division. The position requires strong project management capabilities to ensure the timely and successful execution of strategic priorities.

Ideal Candidate Statement: 

The ideal candidate is an accomplished professional with a demonstrated track record in enrollment management or higher education administration, preferably at a highly selective research university. They possess exceptional leadership, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex initiatives and drive results in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The candidate will have experience collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, and a proven ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans.

The ideal candidate plays a key role in planning, tracking, and executing special projects and initiatives on behalf of the Vice President, ensuring that deadlines are met and stakeholders remain informed and aligned. This individual is adept at juggling multiple priorities and timelines, using project management tools and techniques to create clarity and structure in a fast-paced environment. They are a proactive problem-solver with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.

With a deep commitment to service excellence, the successful candidate is mission-driven, detail-oriented, and motivated to contribute to the success of Rice’s enrollment strategies and goals.

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.

Hiring Range:

$83,400 - $90,000 annually, dependent on experience and qualifications, full-time exempt.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under