DepartmentCenter Administrator

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.

Position Summary:
The Department/Center Administrator serves as the chief administrative and financial leader for the Department of Transnational Asian Studies and the Chao Center for Asian Studies. This position reports to the Department Chair/Center Director and serves as the primary business manager of the departments fiscal academic and administrative functions.

The Department/Center Administrator provides financial and operational oversight while serving as a trusted partner to the Deans Office the Department Chair/Center Director and affiliated faculty staff and students. This role manages staff and budgets directs administrative functions and ensures effective operations in support of teaching research and the interdisciplinary goals of the department. The role requires strong leadership presence and collaboration to foster a supportive and high-performing departmental community.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate will be an experienced administrative leader with strong financial and organizational management skills particularly in overseeing budgets in academic or research settings. They will demonstrate a collaborative and hands-on leadership style working closely with the Department Chair/Center Director staff faculty and the Deans Office.

Successful candidates will thrive in complex academic settings balancing day-to-day operational demands with long-term planning. They will be detail-oriented adaptable and solutions-focused with a proven ability to navigate challenges calmly and effectively while maintaining trust and engagement across the department and school. A proven ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds skills and perspectives is essential.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is exclusively on-site requiring all duties to be performed in person at Rice Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:

This position is benefits eligible and exempt. It has an expected minimum salary of $75000 dependent on experience and qualifications.

*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 on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

• 3 years of related experience in one or more of the following:

  • Business management administration or operation

  • Human resources administration training and development

  • Supervisory experience

  • Research administration grants and contracts with federal or state agencies

  • Strategic planning

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

Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership staff supervision and team-building skills

• Skilled at navigating complex interpersonal dynamics and interacting with people of varied temperaments in a calm and diplomatic manner

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial/data management systems

• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget oversight and research funding

• Excellent data reporting skills

• Excellent communication skills (written verbal and interpersonal)

• Strong critical-thinking decision-making and problem-solving abilities

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail

• Proven ability to see projects through from beginning to end

Preferences:

• Seven years of related experience

• Expert knowledge of word processing spreadsheet email and database software programs to either complete work assignments or direct the completion of work assignments

• Excellent data reporting skills

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills

• Advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

• Ability to work independently or supervise others while ensuring the timely completion of work

• Resource management skills

• Project management skills

• University experience

Essential Functions:

The Department Administrator will be responsible for the overall management development and administration of departmental operations focusing on the following core areas:

Leadership and Staff Management

• Leads and manages all departmental/center administrative staff.
• Supports the Department Chair/Center Director with strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives and serves as a trusted advisor to faculty leadership.
• Serves in a primary role in the development and implementation of the annual budget and short- and long-term budget planning.

Financial and Budget Management

• Develops and oversees budgets endowments faculty funds research accounts and gift accounts.
• Manages budget monitoring expenditure review and approval payment processing financial analyses forecasting and trend identification.
• Manages financial operations including general ledger oversight balance transfers payroll effort reporting and cost center responsibilities.

Operational & Faculty Administration

• Manages and oversees all student-related financial processes including the processing and distribution of student awards prizes fellowships and other departmental funding opportunities. Coordinates student employment logistics for departmental or center-related roles.
• Coordinates the administrative lifecycle of faculty searches the formal promotion and tenure (P&T) process and non-tenure-track (NTT) contract renewals. Manages the documentation and tracking of faculty leaves and sabbaticals.
• Directs departmental operations such as facilities space allocation equipment inventory procurement events and workflow approvals.
• Manages the human resources function for department staff. Works with the Department Chair/Center Director and Deans Office in the areas of staff recruitment and retention.
• Provides faculty and staff with guidance on the interpretation implementation and compliance with university policies and regulations.

Research Administration and Outreach

• Manages pre-award and post-award research administration including faculty research funds internal projects grant proposals and submissions working closely with faculty.
• Manages communications and outreach plans that may include relationship development event management and community building.
• Partners with the Deans Office and central administrative units (e.g. Payroll HR Research) to resolve issues and advance departmental initiatives.
• Performs 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.