Executive Director, ENRICH at Rice University

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Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

30 Apr, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

30 Jan, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic Leadership, Collaboration, Project Management, Budget Management, Financial Planning, Grant Writing, Communication, Analytical Skills, Relationship Building, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Research, Education, Higher Education, STEM

Industry

Higher Education

Description

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. In October 2025, Rice launched an ambitious strategic plan, Momentous. In that plan, Rice University committed to become the leading non-medical institution in health research and innovation. By breaking institutional barriers and forging strategic alliances, particularly within the Texas Medical Center, we envision creating impactful solutions that leverage Rice’s strengths at the nexus of medical care, positioning ourselves as a pivotal partner in global health advancements. Rice will advance basic and translational research initiatives and educational opportunities, by seeking research collaborations and educational partnerships within the TMC health-related ecosystem and at the TMC Helix Park. This position is vital to achieving this ambition. About the Office of ENRICH: The Office of ENRICH at Rice University serves the Rice community as the liaison office between Rice University and the health-related institutions of the Texas Medical Center (TMC). The office, established in 2016, is responsible for advising the Provost and the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) on opportunities to strengthen research collaborations and educational partnerships between Rice and other members of the TMC. Over the last decade, ENRICH has helped establish MOUs with leading institutions in the TMC and has facilitated key partnerships. Rice ENRICH works with faculty to identify and develop high-priority opportunities, as well as to address barriers to collaboration. In an effort to amplify the enormous creativity of Rice faculty in collaboration with partners in the TMC, ENRICH offers services and resources that support health-related research and spark and grow new connections. Rice ENRICH also works with administrative staff to develop standardized processes for student interactions, internships, and research experiences in the TMC, aligning priorities and processes across institutions. Position Summary: Under the joint guidance of the Provost and the EVPR, the Executive Director of ENRICH develops and leads university health-related initiatives and partnerships in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) in both research and education. As a result, this position has a dual reporting relationship, reporting to the EVPR on research-related matters and to the Provost on educational and leadership partnerships, including shared governance structures. The Executive Director serves as the formal liaison between Rice and collaborative partner institutions and advises both on various aspects of Rice–TMC engagement, including partner engagement at Helix Park. Further, the Executive Director leads new-partner development; participates in the development of joint centers and institutes; directs cross-institutional initiatives; collects data and monitors collaboration activity; facilitates the drafting and renewal of formal agreements; and identifies, creates, and facilitates seed award and other fundraising programs. The Executive Director also leads and oversees institutional efforts to facilitate internal processes and align external processes related to student internships and research experiences at TMC institution campuses and labs. Ideal Candidate Statement: The ideal candidate for the Executive Director of ENRICH is a strategic and collaborative leader with deep experience in academic research, education, and cross-institutional partnerships, particularly within the Texas Medical Center. This individual brings executive-level financial and project management skills and a proven ability to build and sustain high-impact collaborations that advance institutional priorities. They serve as an advisor to senior leadership, are skilled relationship-builders across diverse stakeholders, and operate as independent decision-makers with sound judgment. Workplace Requirements: This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating that all duties be performed in person at Helix Park TMC. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. Hiring Range: *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, business administration, public health, or other related area 4+ years of related experience in academic leadership positions, including experience managing people Experience with budget management, financial planning and analysis, and grant writing Skills: Proficiency in the use of a broad scope of systems, software, and applications utilized in higher education and collaborative settings (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Adobe Suite, CRM, LMS, file-sharing tools, etc.) Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively convey information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex institutional and industry data Strong leadership and strategic management skills Strong project management skills Expert-level and nuanced understanding of both the research and educational enterprises of a research university and of higher education in general Ability to establish credibility and effective working relationships across the university and the TMC with leadership, faculty, and staff Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively Demonstrated experience and a record of working successfully in diverse professional settings and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in a college or university environment Preferences: Master’s degree in a STEM field, business administration, public health, or other related area Seven years of related experience in academic leadership positions, including experience managing people Knowledge of the Texas Medical Center as an organization, as well as familiarity with the research and academic portfolios of its member institutions Essential Functions: Serves as the formal liaison between Rice and collaborative partner institutions in the TMC Identifies, develops, and leads new opportunities and programs with external partners and prioritized new relationships in the Texas Medical Center Serves on executive collaboration committees and councils with partner institutions, representing Rice University interests Serves as the central office for plans and activities of partner institutions at the Helix Park development Provides counsel and collaborates with senior leadership in strategic planning and decision-making regarding Rice–TMC engagement Identifies, develops, and leads complex, highly visible projects related to Rice–TMC engagement with university-wide scope in both research and education, with strategic impact and significance, which may span multiple areas and/or the university, using advanced professional knowledge requiring broad discretion and judgment and in-depth knowledge of university governance and priorities Negotiates and influences matters of university-wide priorities regarding TMC engagement Works independently to make decisions regarding projects, programs, and initiatives, with limited or no review by senior management; authorized to commit university resources with limited review by senior officers Responds to the needs of schools, departments, institutes, centers, programs, and faculty for enhancement or facilitation of Rice–TMC engagement, creating opportunities for connection and networking while removing barriers to collaboration Collects, reports, and monitors data related to collaboration activity; responds to special requests for data and presentation materials for executive presentations Facilitates the drafting and renewal of formal agreements between Rice and the TMC in partnership with the OGC Identifies, creates, and oversees seed award programs and other fundraising initiatives Oversees and leads activities of the Rice–TMC Experiential Education Network, facilitating internal processes and aligning external processes related to student internships and research experiences at TMC campuses and laboratories Oversees the communication strategy for the Office of ENRICH and its various programs Performs all other duties as assigned Additional Functions: Supervises staff: Program Administrator (1) and Marketing, Events, and Administrative Specialist (1) 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 get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@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.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director of ENRICH develops and leads university health-related initiatives and partnerships in the Texas Medical Center, serving as a liaison between Rice and collaborative partner institutions. This role involves leading new-partner development, directing cross-institutional initiatives, and facilitating student internships and research experiences.