Details
Posted: 12-Feb-25
Location: Houston, TX, United States,
Type: Full-time
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid 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
Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for International Education and Director of the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS), the International Community Engagement and Events Specialist (III) supports and enhances the experience of Rice University's international population. This position is key to the development, management, and delivery of programs and communications that foster global engagement and promote a welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff from diverse international backgrounds.
The ideal candidate will be skilled at developing and managing programs, communications (newsletters, emails, social media, website), and collaborating across various platforms to effectively engage with our international community. A strong understanding of diverse cultural perspectives, social media management, digital communication trends, and creative design is essential for success in this role.
Workplace Requirements
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This position is eligible for two remote work days per week. Ability to walk up and down stairs several times a day. Limited availability for weekend and evening programming activities. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $56,000 - $63,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3+ years of experience in program management, event planning, communications, or marketing, preferably in a higher education or international setting.
- Skills
- Strong understanding of digital marketing platforms (social media, email marketing, content management systems).
- Proven experience in designing visually appealing communication materials (newsletters, websites, social media posts, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse international populations, with cultural sensitivity and awareness.
- Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Ability to set priorities and work independently.
- Experience working with foreign national students, scholars, or employees in a University or non-profit setting.
- Exceptional organizational and customer service skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to foster teamwork and collegiality in a large office environment, and with internal and external constituents.
- Proficiency with standard computer software (ex. Microsoft Office suite, Google Apps).
- Proficiency in graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) and/or website management (WordPress, Drupal, etc.).
Preferences
- Knowledge of current trends in international education or cross-cultural communication.
- Experience working in a multicultural, higher education, or international services environment.
- Experience training student staff.
Essential Functions
- Design, plan, and implement programs and events that support the success of international students, scholars, and employees.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all international student and scholar programming, providing support, coordination, and guidance.
- Work with key campus stakeholders to ensure that programs and resources are responsive to the needs of the international population.
- Evaluate program effectiveness through feedback and data collection, continuously innovating to improve experiences.
- Revamp and manage all communications including newsletters, emails, and digital marketing materials to ensure they are visually appealing, modern, and engaging.
- Develop and execute social media strategies to engage international audiences, including posting updates, managing content calendars, and tracking engagement.
- Ensure all communications reflect the voice and diversity of the international community, using inclusive and accessible language.
- Maintain and update the OISS events calendar and website to provide accurate and appealing content that meets the needs of international students and scholars.
- Collaborate with other departments and student groups to support international student needs and enhance engagement across the campus community.
- Partner with the communications and marketing teams to align international communication strategies with the broader organizational brand.
- Liaise with external vendors or partners as needed for specific program or communication support.
- Manage communication databases, mailing lists, and surveys for better outreach to international audiences.
- Proven ability to instruct students and staff in risk management and program planning
- Responsible for program logistics, including budgeting and risk management
- Analyzes data, identifies trends, develops reports and recommends and implements changes to improve alignment with institutional mission and goals.
- Extreme attention to detail and deadlines; ability to prioritize and manage complex workflows
- Track and analyze communication performance metrics to continually improve engagement and outreach strategies.
- Perform other administrative tasks as needed, including managing budgets for programming and communication activities.
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.