Assistant Director, Sallyport Fellows Program

Job Description Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants must attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application in PDF format. Please note that the applicant tracking system does not successfully convert attachments submitted in Word format. 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 that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture 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 The Assistant Director of the Sallyport Fellows Program (SFP) provides hands‑on advising, coaching, and other support to Rice first‑generation/limited‑income (FGLI) undergraduate students. Using a relationship‑centered, proactive advising model, this position will work closely with FGLI students, guiding them in making the transition to college and achieving student‑determined goals at Rice and beyond. Through holistic, student‑centered advising approaches, the Assistant Director will be expected to employ proactive advising strategies, innovative learning methods, and coaching techniques to engage students, connect them with critical university resources, and facilitate their successful retention at the university. The Assistant Director will also be responsible for tracking student progress and designing interventions to proactively support student success. Ideal Candidate Statement An ideal candidate has a proven track record of success in advising high‑need undergraduate students during their transition to college. Successful candidates possess strong communication skills, the ability to build and sustain rapport with students, and an understanding of the unique stressors faced by FGLI students in a competitive academic environment. Attention to detail, strong problem‑solving capabilities, and the desire to be an individual contributor within a cohort of advisors are among the optimal skill sets for this position. Workplace Requirements The role is largely Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; however, occasional evenings and weekends may be required during busy periods. Workplace Location This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in‑office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This role requires working four days on campus and offers the option of one remote day per week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. Hiring Range This is a full‑time, benefits‑eligible position with a hiring range of $60,000 – $65,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt Status Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree 2+ years of related professional experience in a four‑year college or university setting, including previous advising or coaching experience Skills Coaching and instructional skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly assess the effectiveness of an intervention Knowledge of theories, including student development, learning and identity development, and experience applying those frameworks professionally Ability to problem‑solve and support/advise students in personal and/or academic crises Strong communication and rapport‑building skills, as well as experience collaborating with faculty, staff, students, alumni, families, and administration Experience and comfort working with diverse student populations, including, but not limited to, first‑generation college students, limited‑income students, first‑ and second‑year students, and underrepresented student populations Preferences Master's degree (preferably in college student personnel, counseling, student affairs, or a related field) Experience employing holistic, proactive/intrusive advising strategies Experience providing academic support, leadership development, and program development Experience supporting student success and undergraduate retention initiatives Experience collaborating with faculty Experience working at a highly selective college or university Familiarity with working in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented environment Ability to work in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment Essential Functions Identifies and advises FGLI students needing additional support and provides sustained, individualized, developmentally appropriate coaching to assist in academic, social, leadership, and interpersonal development. Assists students in developing roadmaps for success at the university, using varied strategies to facilitate the identification and implementation of their goals. Monitors student academic performance and progress toward graduation, updating notes in the advising platform (Navigate) in a timely manner, preparing reports, and maintaining detailed student files as necessary. Implements best practices in proactive advising, student success coaching, and the higher education/student affairs landscape, integrating these ideas into advising practices. Assists in developing student success interventions, workshops, and other programs aimed at facilitating the transition to college. Teaches a section of University 110, a first‑year student transition course. Performs all other duties as assigned. Occasional weekend and evening work is required. Additional Functions Communicates and collaborates with residential college Magisters, Wellbeing, faculty and academic departments, Campus Life entities, and other campus resources as necessary to ensure students receive comprehensive support. Provides support, as needed, to other initiatives related to FGLI student support, which may include, but are not limited to, Orientation Week (O-Week), office‑wide marketing initiatives (social media and website), and programming support for first‑generation and/or limited‑income students. Rice University HR | Benefits Rice Mission and Values Mission and Values | Rice University Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 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 get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at View email address on click.appcast.io for support. Contact If you have any additional questions, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University. #J-18808-Ljbffr Rice University