Events Specialist

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 Events Specialist for the Enrollment Division reports directly to the Deputy Director of Administration and plans, organizes, and manages complex, large-scale, in-person, and virtual events within the division, including Enrollment, Admission, Financial Aid, and Marketing & Communications. The Events Specialist will work closely with Deputy Directors and staff across the division to organize a variety of events, including admitted student events, large conferences, staff trainings, and off-site/abroad events. The Events Specialist may also work with the Vice President for Enrollment, Executive Directors, and Directors for special events, meetings, and engagements as needed.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The Enrollment Division Events Specialist is a highly organized, creative, and detail-oriented professional with a strong background in planning and executing events that support student recruitment, yield, and engagement. They are passionate about higher education and understand the critical role that well-orchestrated events play in shaping prospective students' and families' impressions of the university. The Events Specialist will also be responsible for supporting events and meetings with secondary and higher education educators.

The Events Specialist will possess exceptional project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple events simultaneously, manage vendors and logistics, and collaborate across departments with professionalism and a customer-service mindset. The ideal candidate will be adept at using event management tools, CRMs, and communication platforms to streamline operations and ensure a high-quality experience for all stakeholders.

The ideal candidate demonstrates cultural competency and a commitment to providing welcoming and accessible events to Rice’s diverse prospective student population. They are proactive problem-solvers, strong communicators, and brand ambassadors who consistently reflect the values and mission of Rice University. They are passionate about higher education and understand the critical role that well-orchestrated events play in shaping impressions of the university for students, parents, and influencers. A successful candidate is enthusiastic about contributing to the strategic goals of the Enrollment Division through innovation, collaboration, and excellence in event execution.

Workplace Requirements:
While predominantly in-person, this position may be offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice Policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $65,000 - $68,000 annually, dependent on experience.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted
• 3+ years of related experience
  • No substitution for experience allowed

Skills:

• Strong project and event management skills
• Ability to coordinate with a diverse team of staff and contingent labor, holding them to deadlines and the highest quality output
• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to multitask
• Excellent communication, time management, and customer service skills
• Must be well organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness
• Demonstrated high level of confidence in making strategic decisions, good judgment, and innovative and creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain composure and act quickly during fast-paced events
• Skills in collaboration and working across organizations to meet stakeholder needs and expectations

Preferences:

• 4 years of event planning experience, preferably in a higher education setting
• Experience with CRM software and program management tools such as Asana

Essential Functions:

• Serves as project manager of multiple events, guiding teams to create work plans and schedules, monitor progress, and meet milestones
• Oversees the management of event teams and/or production consultants to produce quality, multi-faceted events and productions
• Establishes and maintains relationships with internal and external university partners
• Acts as department representative at cross-departmental project meetings
• Operates as account manager on deliverables, program metrics, and status reports
• Works closely with the Deputy Director of Administration to coordinate complex program budgets
• Conducts inventory of merchandise and submits new orders
• Oversees support staff, students, volunteers, and contingent event staff
• Provides basic audiovisual support for Enrollment Division on-campus events
• Ensures periodic maintenance of the Welcome Center event space
• Works occasional evening or weekend events

Additional Functions:

• Role necessitates occasionally lifting items exceeding 20 lbs
• Performs all other duties as assigned

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.