Executive Director, ENRICH

Rice University•Houston, TX

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the joint guidance of the Provost and the EVPR, the Executive Director of ENRICH develops and leads university health-related initiatives and partnerships in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) in both research and education. As a result, this position has a dual reporting relationship, reporting to the EVPR on research-related matters and to the Provost on educational and leadership partnerships, including shared governance structures. The Executive Director serves as the formal liaison between Rice and collaborative partner institutions and advises both on various aspects of Rice–TMC engagement, including partner engagement at Helix Park. Further, the Executive Director leads new-partner development; participates in the development of joint centers and institutes; directs cross-institutional initiatives; collects data and monitors collaboration activity; facilitates the drafting and renewal of formal agreements; and identifies, creates, and facilitates seed award and other fundraising programs. The Executive Director also leads and oversees institutional efforts to facilitate internal processes and align external processes related to student internships and research experiences at TMC institution campuses and labs. The ideal candidate for the Executive Director of ENRICH is a strategic and collaborative leader with deep experience in academic research, education, and cross-institutional partnerships, particularly within the Texas Medical Center. This individual brings executive-level financial and project management skills and a proven ability to build and sustain high-impact collaborations that advance institutional priorities. They serve as an advisor to senior leadership, are skilled relationship-builders across diverse stakeholders, and operate as independent decision-makers with sound judgment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, business administration, public health, or other related area
4+ years of related experience in academic leadership positions, including experience managing people
Experience with budget management, financial planning and analysis, and grant writing
Proficiency in the use of a broad scope of systems, software, and applications utilized in higher education and collaborative settings (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Adobe Suite, CRM, LMS, file-sharing tools, etc.)
Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively convey information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management
Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex institutional and industry data
Strong leadership and strategic management skills
Strong project management skills
Expert-level and nuanced understanding of both the research and educational enterprises of a research university and of higher education in general
Ability to establish credibility and effective working relationships across the university and the TMC with leadership, faculty, and staff
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
Demonstrated experience and a record of working successfully in diverse professional settings and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in a college or university environment

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a STEM field, business administration, public health, or other related area
Seven years of related experience in academic leadership positions, including experience managing people
Knowledge of the Texas Medical Center as an organization, as well as familiarity with the research and academic portfolios of its member institutions

Responsibilities

Serves as the formal liaison between Rice and collaborative partner institutions in the TMC
Identifies, develops, and leads new opportunities and programs with external partners and prioritized new relationships in the Texas Medical Center
Serves on executive collaboration committees and councils with partner institutions, representing Rice University interests
Serves as the central office for plans and activities of partner institutions at the Helix Park development
Provides counsel and collaborates with senior leadership in strategic planning and decision-making regarding Rice–TMC engagement
Identifies, develops, and leads complex, highly visible projects related to Rice–TMC engagement with university-wide scope in both research and education, with strategic impact and significance, which may span multiple areas and/or the university, using advanced professional knowledge requiring broad discretion and judgment and in-depth knowledge of university governance and priorities
Negotiates and influences matters of university-wide priorities regarding TMC engagement
Works independently to make decisions regarding projects, programs, and initiatives, with limited or no review by senior management; authorized to commit university resources with limited review by senior officers
Responds to the needs of schools, departments, institutes, centers, programs, and faculty for enhancement or facilitation of Rice–TMC engagement, creating opportunities for connection and networking while removing barriers to collaboration
Collects, reports, and monitors data related to collaboration activity; responds to special requests for data and presentation materials for executive presentations
Facilitates the drafting and renewal of formal agreements between Rice and the TMC in partnership with the OGC
Identifies, creates, and oversees seed award programs and other fundraising initiatives
Oversees and leads activities of the Rice–TMC Experiential Education Network, facilitating internal processes and aligning external processes related to student internships and research experiences at TMC campuses and laboratories
Oversees the communication strategy for the Office of ENRICH and its various programs
Performs all other duties as assigned
Supervises staff: Program Administrator (1) and Marketing, Events, and Administrative Specialist (1)