Executive Director

Special Instructions to Applicants : Please attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. Please make sure to include employment dates on the resume in Month/ Year format.

Position Summary

The new Rice National Security Center is a research collaborative which aims to develop research opportunities and partnership focused on objectives identified by Department of Defense modernization priorities and to areas critical to the success of similarly aligned federal agencies. The executive director for the Center will lead the initiation and development of this charge at Rice.

The incumbent leads in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of strategic government partners and program officers, along with aligned, private sector researchers and partners. The executive director coordinates and supports fundraising activities as directed. The incumbent leads and directs the strategic programmatic, outreach, and administrative functions of the initiative. The executive director mentors and supervises the staff. May require US Government Security Clearance.

Essential Functions

• In partnership with the faculty, lead the development and implementation of research programs, initiatives and plans to advance the initiative’s mission and strategic objectives
• Leads and directs staff and directs key administrative and financial functions including administrative operations, human resources, budget management (forecasting), and space
• Oversees and directs outreach including communications, marketing and events
• Serves as a key liaison with stakeholders and constituency groups and is responsible for managing external relations (government, NGOs, public, donors, industry)
• Actively supports and coordinates fundraising strategies and efforts and serves as a liaison with DoD program managers
• Manages proposal development and oversees pre- and post-award research administration functions
• Serves as a key liaison with granting agencies and government partners
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Responsible for developing Rice University’s faculty relationship with DoD, both identifying and managing cordial and productive relationships with key faculty and administrators within Rice University as well as developing and managing relationships with key decision-makers in government
• Maintains an awareness of the research support needs of the faculty and notifying government contacts about aspects of Rice of potential value to them
• Will identify government agencies and individuals that have the potential to be “strategic partners,” in key research areas and facilitates programs to engage groups of faculty
• Develops existing transactional relationships with government agencies to broaden their value to Rice
• Establishes student intern support, research projects, equipment donations, and/or philanthropy

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Science, engineering, or related field
• 8 years of experience in a leadership position at a government agency
• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem solving skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and simultaneously manage projects
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
• Excellent client service orientation and attention to detail
• Ability to lead and motivate others
• Strategic skills to craft and implement fundraising and/or project plans
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to quickly understand details about projects to which they are assigned
• Entrepreneurial
• Highly motivated and creative
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Ability to build relationships

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D in science or engineering
• Ability to influence decision-makers across all types of organizations
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Federal Security clearance (active clearance highly desired)

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies