Assistant Director, Career Development

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.

Position Summary:

The Center for Career Development at Rice University is a recognized leader in career education, serving one of the most talented and diverse student populations in the country. The CCD is committed to innovation, equity, and empowering students to chart meaningful professional paths. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, high-impact team at a pivotal time of growth and transformation.

As a key member of the CCD's Career Development and Counseling Team, the Assistant Director will shape career readiness programming that empowers graduate and undergraduate students to translate their Rice education into meaningful lives and leadership across various industries. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Career Development, this individual advances the professional success of Rice students and alumni through individualized career counseling, high-impact programming, and cross-campus collaborations. This role is pivotal in shaping and enhancing the career development ecosystem at Rice University.

The Assistant Director facilitates career development coaching and programming and strengthens partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to expand career opportunities and prepare students and alumni for meaningful careers. This is a visible and high-impact role within a dynamic team that is committed to equity, innovation, and excellence in career education.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is an equity-minded and innovative professional with a master’s degree in a related field and experience designing and scaling impactful career development programs. They are a collaborative relationship builder, capable of engaging effectively with students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and employers as partners in student career success. This individual thrives in fast-paced, student-focused environments and brings a data-informed, strategic lens to their work. They possess strong communication and facilitation skills, as well as a deep commitment to serving a diverse student body.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, full-time, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and may require occasional evening or weekend hours, depending on the office's needs. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $62,000 - $66,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2+ years’ experience in university recruiting, career services, or related student affairs roles

Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in individual and group career counseling and administering/interpreting career assessments (e.g., MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, Focus2)
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills,