People Communications Strategist

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application preferably in 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 nations 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 that supports students intellectually emotionally and culturally through social events intramural sports student plays lecture 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. These values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rices 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 People Communications Strategist is responsible for strengthening how Human Resources shares information with the campus community and external stakeholders. This role develops and delivers clear coordinated and engaging communications that support HR programs services and priorities ensuring messaging is timely accurate and aligned across HR functional areas.

Serving as a central connector within HR the People Communications Strategist partners closely with HR leaders and teams to translate complex information into accessible audience-centered communications. The role supports both ongoing HR operations and major initiatives including the HR Transformation while building sustainable communication practices that improve understanding trust and engagement over time.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator and skilled storyteller who thrives in complex people-centered environments. They bring strong judgment creativity and structure to communications helping organizations translate nuanced information into clear engaging and actionable messages. This individual is collaborative proactive and comfortable navigating ambiguity with the ability to support large initiatives while also improving everyday communication practices. Experience supporting internal communications organizational initiatives or HR-related messaging is strongly valued.

Workplace Requirements:
Hybrid position: This position is offered as a hybrid role combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change.

Essential Remote: This role is classified as an Essential Remote Position. During declared emergencies or crisis events the incumbent is required to continue duties remotely to ensure business continuity. Employees in this role must remain accessible to leadership support critical departmental functions and maintain operations until normal on-site activities resume.

Hiring Range: $85000 $90000 annual salary commensurate with experience
*Exempt (salaried) positions underFLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree

  • In lieu of the education requirement additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

• 3 years of progressively responsible experience in communications public relations internal communications or a closely related field.

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively

• Strategic communication planning skills including experience aligning messaging across multiple stakeholders or functional areas

• Excellent storytelling editing and content development capabilities

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills

• High attention to detail and accuracy

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and collaborate across teams

• Proficiency with digital communication tools and content management systems

Preferences:

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications public relations internal communications or a closely related field

• Experience supporting internal or organizational communications within Human Resources or a similarly complex organization

• Experience supporting large-scale initiatives service changes or organizational transformation through communications

• Experience in higher education or a decentralized organizational environment

• Familiarity with change communication or employee engagement practices

Essential Functions:

Strategic HR Communications

• Develop and manage a cohesive HR communication strategy that strengthens information flow and ensures consistent timely messaging across HR functional areas

• Coordinate communication timing messaging and channels to reduce duplication minimize confusion and enhance clarity for campus audiences

• Serve as a communication advisor to HR leadership and functional teams on messaging tone and delivery

Content Development & Storytelling

• Research write edit and produce HR communications including announcements newsletters web content toolkits FAQs presentations and leadership messages

• Translate complex policies programs and initiatives into accessible audience-centered communications

• Ensure communications are accurate engaging and aligned with university brand and style standards

Digital & Website Content Management

• Design update and maintain HR website content to ensure clarity accuracy and alignment with evolving services and priorities

• Partner with campus stakeholders to continuously improve content usability and organization

Initiative & Change Communications

• Support communications for major HR initiatives including the multi-year HR Transformation by developing clear messaging phased communications and supporting materials

• Create communication tools such as FAQs timelines and resource guides to support understanding and adoption of new services or processes

• Ensure initiative-related communications are integrated into broader HR messaging and sustained beyond the initial rollout

Collaboration & Guidance

• Partner with HR functional areas to plan coordinate and improve communications

• Provide guidance and best practices to HR colleagues to support consistent and effective communication practices

• Collaborate with campus communications partners as appropriate

Additional Functions:

• Monitor feedback and engagement to inform continuous improvement of HR communications

• Stay current on communication trends tools and best practices

• Perform all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR Benefits: 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 Universitys Human Resources Office via email at for support.

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