Strategic Initiatives Project Manager

Rice University • Houston, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Vision 2030, the strategic plan for the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, sets a clear direction for the School's future, with leaders across the School championing its priorities. The Strategic Initiatives Project Manager will help turn that direction into results by coordinating efforts, tracking progress, and keeping key initiatives on course.

The position supports the implementation of key elements of Vision 2030, as well as other school-wide programs and priorities. Working with the stakeholders responsible for each initiative, the position will develop implementation plans, establish timelines and milestones, maintain visibility into progress, and help ensure commitments continue to move forward. The role will also directly execute assigned work, including planning and delivering events, coordinating outreach activities, and supporting other initiatives that advance the School’s priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Assistant Dean for Human Resources and Administration and working closely with the Dean and other school leaders, this role requires strong judgment, organization, communication, and follow-through. It is structured as an individual contributor position with responsibility for independently coordinating and carrying work forward through relationships and collaboration across the School. Success requires someone who takes ownership of the work, stays responsive and engaged, and consistently brings initiatives through to completion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s 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.
• Three or more (3+) years of progressive experience in program administration, project or initiative management, strategic implementation, business operations, events, program execution, or a related area, including experience coordinating complex work across multiple stakeholders, managing concurrent priorities, and communicating progress and outcomes to leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience managing complex programs, projects, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in a university, research, nonprofit, or similarly decentralized environment.
• Demonstrated success coordinating work across multiple stakeholders and creating accountability without direct authority.
• Experience supporting senior leaders by translating priorities into actionable plans and providing clear updates on progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Experience managing high-visibility programs or events, budgets, and the processes needed to support effective execution.

Responsibilities

• Manages implementation plans for strategic initiatives and school-level programs, translating established priorities into clear milestones, timelines, responsibilities, and measures of progress.
• Maintains visibility across a portfolio of initiatives and programs, monitors progress against commitments, and works with contributors to keep work moving toward established goals.
• Builds strong working relationships across academic departments, administrative teams, and university partners to coordinate work, resolve barriers, and support successful outcomes.
• Identifies emerging issues and risks, works proactively to address routine challenges, and elevates matters requiring leadership attention with clear context and recommended next steps.
• Prepares concise progress reports and other materials that provide leadership with an accurate view of accomplishments, priorities, outstanding commitments, and program outcomes.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates school programs and initiatives, using data, feedback, and lessons learned to recommend improvements and strengthen future execution.
• Coordinates and implements major school programs, events, and other high-visibility activities in partnership with Development, Marketing and Communications, academic departments, and other university units.
• Supports the implementation of outreach, communication, partnership, and development activities associated with assigned programs and initiatives.
• Develops and maintains project plans, operating tools, documentation, and repeatable processes that strengthen continuity and accountability across initiatives.
• Manages assigned program and initiative budgets, monitors expenditures, and coordinates with appropriate financial partners to support effective use of resources.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
• Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University https://www.rice.edu/mission-values

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level