Associate Director of Publications, Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Rice University•Houston, TX

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research (KIUR) at Rice University seeks a full-time Associate Director of Publications to lead and support editorial development and production of the institute's research publications, including reports, policy briefs, issue briefs, white papers, and other written products. Reporting to the Director of Communication in the External Affairs Division, this position serves as a strategic editorial partner to researchers and research directors to ensure publications are accurate, accessible, impactful, and aligned with the institute's mission. The Associate Director of Publications provides high-level editorial guidance throughout the publication process, helping authors strengthen organizational clarity, narrative flow, and accessibility while preserving the integrity of the underlying research. This position manages publication workflows, ensuring high-quality, timely production of research publications, and may supervise editorial staff. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute consists of five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers research housing, education, community and public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics. Each center investigates its particular topic area and works across centers to build interdisciplinary teams specializing in solutions-oriented research. The centers use a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing questions and challenges facing Greater Houston. We strive for our research to inform decision-making and bring about systemic change. The ideal candidate is an experienced editor with exceptional judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with researchers and subject matter experts. They approach editorial work collaboratively, serving as a thought partner who helps authors communicate complex research effectively rather than simply correcting manuscripts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Four or more years of experience
Demonstrated experience editing complex research reports, policy publications, technical documents, or long-form written content.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to supervise, provide guidance to, and motivate staff.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Journalism or a related field.
Seven or more years of experience successfully managing editorial projects, pipelines, and teams, ideally in a research institute, think tank, university, nonprofit, or public policy organization.
Experience editing publications intended for policymakers, practitioners, or public audiences, including the ability to translate and summarize technical writing and research.
Experience managing publication workflows and editorial calendars while establishing editorial policies, style guides, and publication standards.
Strong leadership and collaborative skills, with the adaptability and poise to remain calm under pressure while listening to competing viewpoints.

Responsibilities

Lead the editorial review and development of institute research publications, including reports, policy briefs, issue briefs, white papers, and other written products.
Serve as a trusted editorial advisor and thought partner to researchers and research directors throughout the publication process.
Provide substantive editorial feedback that strengthens organization, readability, logical flow, and audience engagement while maintaining the accuracy and integrity of research findings.
Collaborate with researchers, communications staff, designers, and leadership to produce high-quality publications aligned with institute brand standards.
Establish and maintain editorial standards, style guidelines, and quality assurance processes across research publications.
Oversee day-to-day publication operations, assign projects, provide coaching, support professional development, and may supervise editorial staff.
Review publications for consistency, quality, accessibility, and adherence to institutional branding and editorial standards.
Partner with the Director of Communication to manage publication schedules and workflows to ensure the timely delivery of multiple concurrent projects.
Perform all other duties as assigned.