Director of Operations and Partnerships

Rice University•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to and in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director of Operations and Partnerships manages administrative and operations functions for the Center for Civic Leadership, primarily in the areas of human resources, compliance and financial management, communication, assessment, and external relationships. The Director provides guidance to CCL staff on administrative operations and university policies. The Director supervises the administrative operations specialist, the associate director for assessment, and the communications specialist in the center. The Director leads center-wide operations that facilitate and sustain the capacity and networks of the CCL; oversees the development of resources to facilitate and sustain community and alumni partnerships consistent with principles of ethical engagement and co-education; advances CCL's position on campus, in the community, and in the higher ed community; and secures additional resources to support the CCL.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Five or more (5+) years of experience in community-engaged learning, research, and scholarship, and/or public service/community leadership
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, ensuring the timely completion of work
Resource management skills
Project management skills

Nice To Haves

Master's or PhD in a relevant field
Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with community organizations to support academic programming
Experience and knowledge of ethical engagement in university - community partnerships
Supervisory experience

Responsibilities

Manages the management of all Center for Civic Leadership staff involved in administrative operations and support to faculty, students and programs
Manages the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of departmental operations, including, but not limited to: research administration, budget / finance, program administration, human resources, communications / outreach, and compliance
Monitors trends and establishes goals for the department
Provides guidance on the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations
Recommends actions to ensure compliance
Represents the department or function at the school level
Serves a primary role in the development & implementation of the annual budget
Participates in short term budget planning and supports long term budget planning
Manages budget monitoring, expenditure review and approval, processing payments, conducting analyses, creating forecasts and identifying trends
Oversees the maintenance of financial records
Creates, manages and implements outreach plans that may include relationship development, communications, and event management
Manages the human resources function for department staff
Administers the visa process for international faculty, staff and students
Coordinates faculty searches and the promotion and tenure process
Manages graduate and / or undergraduate program administration, including graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, coordinates the accreditation process, manages scholarships and fellowships, advises students and monitors their progress
Supervises support to faculty and provides guidance on university policies and procedures
May manage pre- and post-award research administration
Performs all other duties as assigned
Collaborate with the executive director to identify priorities and represent the opportunities and challenges of centerwide operations
Oversee design, implementation, and execution of assessment, communications, and administrative processes
Facilitate collaboration and communication of CCL operations team with CCL academic team to integrate and align objectives, identify opportunities and concerns, and foster an equitable, inclusive, and highly collaborative work environment
Monitor budget expenses and reconciliations, including approval of expense reports, transfers, non-standard disbursements, labor distributions, and purchase orders, review of monthly reconciliations and quarterly reports
Supervise center operations staff, holding them accountable for responsibilities, providing mentoring and resources for them to be successful in their roles, and facilitating their professional growth
Design and implement centerwide vision, goals, and outcomes for ethical and effective community and alumni partnerships and collaborate with academic program leads to develop their capacity to work with community partners
Develop, manage, and steward CCL alumni and community partnerships
Create processes and systems for facilitating CCL-community partnerships, including, but not limited to, a database, events, and a call for proposals
Leverage CCL community and alumni partnerships to support faculty engaged activities
Convene civic engagement networks for relationship and partner development
Recognize CCL community partners and alumni
Support center research agenda that publishes the center's theories, practices, and outcomes
Represent CCL to campus and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for center and raise awareness and understanding of the center's programs and resources
Support applications for grants that support CCL, faculty, and partner engagement
Support stewardship and cultivation of new donors