Executive Director of PSM Program

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a 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:
The Wiess School of Natural Sciences at Rice University seeks an Executive Director for the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Program, a dynamic leadership position at the crossroads of science, education, innovation, and industry engagement. Reporting jointly to the Faculty Director of the PSM Program and the Dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, the Executive Director will be a member of the Dean’s leadership team. They will provide strategic and operational leadership to strengthen and expand one of Rice’s most interdisciplinary and industry-connected graduate programs.

This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of professional science education at a world-class research university located in a global hub for energy, healthcare, and technology innovation. The Executive Director leads the PSM program’s administrative, business, and marketing operations, drives strategic enrollment growth, and forges partnerships across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors to expand opportunities for students and alumni. Working closely with faculty leadership, the Executive Director helps align program offerings with emerging workforce needs, supports curricular innovation, and ensures a transformative educational experience that integrates scientific expertise with professional development.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate will bring vision, creativity, and a passion for connecting science education to real-world impact. This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven professional to enhance the reach and reputation of Rice’s Professional Science Master’s programs, fostering connections that empower students, strengthen industry ties, and advance the mission of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is primarily on-site, requiring that all core duties be performed in person at Rice University. The Executive Director may also be expected to travel outside of Rice University, including occasional evening and weekend commitments, to represent the program at outreach, recruitment, and partnership events. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: Starting at $100,000, with the hiring salary commensurate with experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 4+ years of experience in program management in higher education or in science-, technology-, or engineering-driven fields or government sectors

Skills:

• Ability to develop complex and/or multiple program partnerships and funding sources
• Ability to manage personne