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Program Administrator, McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth at Rice University

Posted in General Business 30+ days ago.

Type: Full-Time
Location: Houston, Texas





Job Description:

Position Summary

Founded in 1993, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy has established itself as one of the premier nonpartisan public policy think tanks in the country. As an integral part of Rice University, the Baker Institute has a strong track record of achievement based on the work of its fellows, scholars, Rice faculty scholars and staff. The institute collaborates with experts from academia, government, the media, business, and nongovernmental and private organizations.

The McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth at the Baker Institute researches the effects of existing law and policy on private entrepreneurship and identifies best practices among governments for a vibrant small business and startup sector. The center also surveys academic research and legal scholarship for insights on problems of business, law and economics that lend themselves to public policy solutions. The center proposes changes to law and policy based on its research. The work of the center is nonpartisan.

The program administrator is a full-time, benefits eligible temporary position with an 18-month initial appointment term. The position is primarily responsible for planning and tracking the McNair Center's research projects, planning center events and handling the administrative operations of the center, including budget tracking, expense reporting and supporting student interns and other staff. The day-to-day work of the Program Administrator consists of planning and overseeing ongoing research projects, interacting with the center and Baker Institute staff to accomplish tasks. He/She supports the center's director and other researchers in applying for grant funding and in presenting the center's research in written reports, live presentations and social media. He/She plans events for the center including policy presentations and panel discussions, advisory group meetings and other events.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated competency in managing administrative functions for a research center, program or initiative as well as an interest in the topics of entrepreneurship, business, and economics.

Essential Functions


  • Administers McNair Center administrative operations, ensuring efficient, effective and productive management of all research, financial, event and staff activities.
  • Works with the director to develop a research agenda using appropriate analytical approaches, models, and methods
  • Plans and manages timelines, supplies, budgets and recruiting for research projects
  • Creates and implements outreach plans that may include event and conference management, relationship development and communications
  • Creates budget plans, monitors and approves expenditures, develops reports, conducts analyses and manages and maintains financial records
  • Recruits, onboards and supervises student interns and research assistants

Additional Functions / Information

  • May assist with fundraising activities
  • May manage other researchers and programmatic support staff
  • Performs all other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree

  • Three years of related experience including any combination of the following: project management, creating and tracking budgets, handling expense reports, recruiting and supervising staff, tracking progress of ongoing research projects, creating reports, using social media on behalf an organization, organizing and maintaining an office environment

    • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

  • Skills Required:

    • Superior verbal and written communication skills
    • Excellent collaborative, judgment, leadership, negotiation, problem solving, and critical thinking skills with attention to details and willingness to take initiative
    • Ability to use a project management platform to organize projects, manage resources and meet deadlines
    • Ability to work in a team environment and actively participate, motivate and follow-through as needed
    • Excellent organizational skills to plan and schedule


Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience working as a project manager for grant-funded research
  • Prior experience working in a university research setting
  • Prior Experience as an administrator or manager in an office environment





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