Events Administrator

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 Events Administrator plans, coordinates, and executes high-impact events that elevate the mission and visibility of the school. This position partners with event sponsors and stakeholders in the Dean’s office, the school, and across campus on event inception and strategy, and manages creative design, logistical coordination, and post-event evaluation. The Events Administrator will maintain event calendars, negotiate event contracts, and will be responsible for event budgeting. The Events Administrator will curate meaningful and engaging experiences that reflect the school’s values and priorities. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Business Operations, this position is a hands-on, independent role requiring strategic thinking, exceptional organizational and communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to deliver high-quality events with minimal oversight.

Ideal Candidate Statement: 

The ideal candidate is a strategic, creative, and self-driven event professional who thrives in an environment that requires collaboration, proactiveness, and innovation. They bring a passion for crafting impactful experiences and a high level of initiative, with the ability to operate independently and also work seamlessly with multiple units to ensure event success. They have a strong sense of ownership and are excited to design and deliver signature events that advance the mission of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.

Workplace Requirements:

This is an exempt (salaried) position under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime. The position entails work on Rice University’s campus, with the possibility of partial remote or flexible work arrangements. Some evenings and weekend work may be required depending on operational needs. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Salary: $70,000 annually.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 4+ years of experience of related job experience 
  • In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis. 

Skills: 

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple small to large-scale events.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diplomacy, tact, and a customer-first approach.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong MS Office skills

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Communications, or related field.
• Experience and educational background in hospitality or event services.
• Experience working in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
• Familiarity with event management software and tools and/or scheduling systems.

Essential Functions:

• Leads the full lifecycle of events—from initial concept and planning through execution and post-event evaluation. Works collaboratively with internal units to ensure engagement and event completion. 
• Coordinates and manages event logistics, including creating proposals, communicating timelines, venue and vendor selection, ensuring effective event communications, etc.
• Design engaging event experiences that reflect the school’s mission and support institutional goals.
• Propose and manage approved event budgets and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Analyze event outcomes and feedback to identify improvements and implement best practices for future events.
• Coordinate with departments, faculty, vendors, and university stakeholders to ensure seamless collaboration and execution.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to support successful events.
• Deliver high-quality customer service with professionalism, attention to detail, and a proactive approach.
• Scope event projects accurately, accounting for timelines, resources, and task complexity.
• Attend events, programs or activities, as appropriate, to ensure all activities proceed smoothly. This may include attendance during evenings and weekends.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Managing RSVP platforms and email campaigns for event invitations.
• Gathering event feedback through surveys and compiling post-event reports.
• Maintaining event attendance records and engagement metrics for internal reporting.
• Assisting with calendar management, room reservations, or supply procurement.
• Attending & planning meetings as a liaison for event-related input.

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 [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.