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.

Essential Functions:

• Empower students and recent alumni to make informed decisions about internships, employment, and graduate/professional school pathways through individualized advising and evidence-based career development strategies
• Design and deliver impactful workshops and career education programs that build student competencies, integrating new curricula in response to emerging trends and student needs
• Lead, mentor, and develop student leadership groups (e.g., Peer Career Advisors, Graduate Student Association representatives, student employees) to extend CCD’s reach and enhance peer-to-peer engagement
• Facilitate educational sessions for faculty and staff to strengthen career integration across the curriculum and promote shared responsibility for student career readiness
• Represent Rice University and the CCD at professional associations and national conferences, advancing institutional visibility and contributing to best practice conversations in career education
• Support the planning and execution of career fairs, employer events, and on-campus recruiting activities
• Liaise with stakeholders in chosen areas of career pathways, providing tailored programs and career coaching to help students explore, prepare for, and connect with opportunities in specific industries and functional areas
• Collaborate with internal teams to track and report program outcomes, and contribute to departmental strategic initiatives
• Utilize data and feedback to assess program outcomes, identify trends, and develop innovative outreach and training initiatives that enhance student engagement and achievement
• Prepare and present progress reports and impact summaries to demonstrate outcomes, inform decision-making, and guide continuous improvement of programs and services
• Develop accessible, high-quality print and digital resources that enhance student learning and support self-guided career exploration
• Research and apply national best practices in career counseling and student development to strengthen program design and advising effectiveness
• Create and implement programs that connect students to internship and applied learning opportunities, preparing them to demonstrate career readiness competencies in professional contexts
• Contribute to a collaborative, innovative, and equity-minded team culture, advancing the CCD’s mission and adapting to evolving institutional priorities
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required in support of events and programs
• May be asked to represent the CCD or act on behalf of senior leadership as needed
• May be assigned or required to perform additional duties for the benefit of the department or university
• All employees serve as representatives of the university, displaying courtesy, tact, and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Rice community and with the public

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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, with the ability to build rapport across diverse student, alumni, employer, and faculty/staff audiences
• Knowledge of labor market trends, hiring practices, and equity-focused advising models
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Strong organizational, project management, and presentation skills, with demonstrated success leading workshops, outreach efforts, and high-impact initiatives
• Ability to build trust and rapport across diverse populations effectively with students, staff, and faculty
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and career services platforms (e.g., 12twenty, Handshake, Symplicity)

Preferences:

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, or related field
• 3+ years of experience working in a fast-paced, high-performing university career center, preferably serving graduate students and a diverse student body
• Proven ability to design, implement, and evaluate scalable programs that support diverse populations, including undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, as well as alumni
• Strategic understanding of hiring, labor market, and salary trends, with a proactive approach to employer engagement and career advising
• Demonstrated initiative, independence, and a student-centered mindset, with a commitment to equitable and inclusive career development
• Familiarity with the NACE Career Readiness Competencies and High-Impact Practices (HIPs)
• Experience with teaching or curriculum development in career education