Assistant Director, LGBTQ+ Thriving (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants must attach one document in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format, to avoid any formatting issues. Please note that the applicant tracking system does not convert attachments in Word format successfully.

Candidates must submit one PDF in this order:

• a cover letter (maximum one page)
• a resume or curriculum vitae
• names with emails and phone numbers for the three most recent direct supervisors to serve as references

About Rice:

Located in an urban environment on a 300-acre tree-lined campus, Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of the dynamic Museum District in Houston, TX, the most diverse city in the country and home to vibrant Latinx, Asian-American, Black, LGBTQ+, and international communities. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the metro area is characterized by a robust civil society with top elected positions in the region held by a diverse group of officials-left, right, and center, and including Asian-American, Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ leaders. Rice offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools and has a student body of approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 3,900 graduate students. The university's undergraduate population has no racial majority. Rice consistently ranks among the top 20 national universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching (US News & World Report); its endowment ranks among the top 20 of US universities.

We welcome the fullness of diversity to Rice. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Also, in our candidate pools, we seek to attract greater representation ofwomen,scholars of color, people with disabilities,veterans, and others whohave historically beenunderrepresented. We aim to attract applicants from a wide range backgrounds; to accelerateprogress in buildinga staff varied in thought and experience;and to maintain an environment that fosters interaction and understanding withinourcommunity.

Position Summary:
In addition to championing a robust, living-learning environment for LGBTQ+ students, this position plays a pivotal role in fostering awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in higher education throughout the university.
Collaborating closely with various campus stakeholders, including students, staff, and faculty, the Assistant Director takes a holistic approach to developing and implementing programs, policies, and initiatives that promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity and support. In addition to the critical focus on LGBTQ+ inclusivity, this role actively contributes to building a broader campus environment that encourages inquiry, facilitates meaningful conversations, and promotes a sense of belonging for everyone. By providing guidance, resources, and advocacy, the Assistant Director ensures a safe and affirming experience for all students while actively contributing to the development of a campus culture that values diversity and fosters mutual understanding.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate for the Assistant Director, LGBTQ+ Thriving position is a consummate professional dedicated to and passionate about advancing inclusion in higher education. Such work requires a deep commitment to social justice, high emotional intelligence, cultural competency, urgency as well as patience, and the practical skills necessary to create and manage transformative change within a residential college environment. We seek someone with proven experience developing, implementing, and assessing educational programs that address the wide-ranging needs of LGBTQ+ students. Strong crisis intervention and conflict resolution abilities are also essential, as is the capacity to respond thoughtfully to incidents of bias or discrimination. Our ideal candidate stays current with best practices, research, and emerging trends related to LGBTQ+ issues and student affairs. They excel as a collaborative leader who can mentor and sometimes supervise student staff while building effective partnerships with faculty, administrators, and community organizations to advance student thriving and excellence across campus.

Workplace Requirements:
• This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person on campus. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.
• Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour meal break
• Frequent evening and weekend work
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay. During some weeks, employees will be required to work more hours to meet their job responsibilities.
• This position is on-call after hours/weekends/holidays to address any residential emergency

Salary: $60,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2+ years of related experience

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, including written, oral, and visual
• Advising high-level student leaders in one-on-one settings
• Ability to apply student development and learning outcomes theories
• Ability to manage events and programs
• Ability to instruct students in risk management and program planning

Preferences:

• Master's degree in student affairs, higher education administration, counseling, or a related field is preferred but not required
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and issues within higher education
• Experience working with LGBTQ+ communities and creating inclusive environments
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse populations
• Experience developing and implementing educational programs and initiatives
• Ability to respond effectively to crises, conflicts, and incidents of bias or discrimination
• Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and policies related to LGBTQ+ issues in higher education
• Informed about current research, best practices, and emerging trends in residential life and student affairs (especially pertaining to LGBTQ+ issues). Attends conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Essential Functions:

• Supports department and area mission, vision, and goals
• Advises and guides student leaders in the planning and implementation of program and event logistics, including risk management
• Coordinates leadership development programming for student leaders
• Responsible for logistics and marketing related to area(s) of responsibility
• May supervise student staff/interns as necessary
• Develops and implements educational and social programs that address the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ students within the residential community. These programs may include workshops, discussion groups, training sessions, and cultural events
• Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with LGBTQ+ student organizations, campus resource centers, and community organizations to enhance support and advocacy efforts. Works closely with campus partners to coordinate programming, promote resources, and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues
• Conducts regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of LGBTQ+ programming and initiatives within the residential life program. Collects data, analyzes trends, and prepares reports to inform decision-making and identify areas for improvement

Additional Functions:

• Collaborates with campus administrators to review and develop inclusive policies and practices related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and LGBTQ+ issues within the residential life program. Advocates for the needs and concerns of LGBTQ+ students, ensuring their voices are represented in decision-making processes
• Provides training and educational resources for residential staff to increase their understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and best practices for creating inclusive residential environments. Facilitates ongoing professional development opportunities to promote cultural competency and sensitivity
• Offers individual support and mentorship to LGBTQ+ students within the residential community. Serves as a resource for information, referrals, and guidance on navigating campus resources and support services. Collaborates with counseling and health services to address the mental health and well-being needs of LGBTQ+ students
• Facilitates the development of LGBTQ+-affirming communities within the residential colleges. Fosters an environment where LGBTQ+ students feel safe, supported, and connected to their peers. Organizes social events, affinity groups, and programming that promote a sense of belonging and foster community engagement
• Provides support and resources to address crises, conflicts, and incidents of bias or discrimination within the residential community. Collaborates with appropriate campus offices, such as Title IX, SAFE Office, Student Judicial Programs, and the Office of Access, Equity, and Equal Opportunity to ensure appropriate responses and follow-up

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice 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 contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.