What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Volunteer Engagement position at Rice University?
Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.
Position Summary:
Rice University seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Assistant Director, Volunteer Engagement. This role designs and manages a dynamic volunteer program that supports the full lifecycle of engagement—from recruitment and onboarding to stewardship and recognition. As the central liaison for campus-wide volunteer efforts, the Assistant Director promotes opportunities, develops resources, and ensures consistent communication across platforms. The role partners with Alumni Relations, Communications, Data Services, and Public Affairs to align volunteer initiatives with university goals. Strong data management and program evaluation skills are essential to measure impact and inform strategy. This position reports to the Associate Director, Alumni Engagement.
Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a positive attitude and professional demeanor who is able to cultivate meaningful relationships while simultaneously coordinating multiple projects, displaying creativity and innovation.
Workplace Requirements:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.
Must possess (or have the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2 years of related professional experience in a higher education, customer service, or project management role
Skills:
- Good organizational and time management skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to cultivate and manage volunteers
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Data analysis skills
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Familiarity with CRM or alumni engagement software, with an understanding of data management and privacy best practices
- Ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences:
- 3 years of related professional experience in a higher education, customer service, or project management role
- Experience working in alumni relations
- Experience working within a nonprofit or higher education environment
- Experience working with volunteers
- Experience using Blackbaud CRM or similar alumni/donor database system
- Strong working knowledge of personal computers in a Windows/PC environment
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and tactfully
- Strong focus on details and accuracy
- Ability to exercise good judgment
Essential Functions:
- Develops, contacts, and maintains relationships with alumni, faculty, students, staff, and vendors in relation to the volunteer program and the Office of Alumni Relations
- Develops and implements volunteer resources, toolkits, and stewardship
- Produces reports and analyzes the performance of volunteer programs and services
- Provides supervision and training to staff who manage volunteer data
- Enhances the storytelling of all Rice volunteers through website updates, email marketing, and impact reports
- Maintains and updates all volunteer group roles within OwlConnect (CRM)
- Assists with special projects, including review and preparation of content for external communications to alumni and volunteers (newsletter, website, etc.), and coordinates with staff as needed
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions:
- Prepare special analyses or work and work on special projects as requested
- Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers and volunteer-led projects
- This position may require travel and the ability to work nights and weekends as needed
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.
