Events Specialist

Rice University, situated on a stunning 300-acre campus in Houston, Texas, stands out as a top-tier institution consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Known for its intimate 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, Rice cultivates a rich academic and social environment through its renowned residential college system. This system not only supports students academically but also emotionally and culturally, fostering vibrant communities through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government involvement. This dedication to community building is reflected in Rice's reputation for providing one of the best qualities of life and values among private universities, making it an exceptional place to learn and grow.

Rice University is equally acclaimed as a workplace where faculty, staff, and students share a commitment to core values encapsulated by the acronym RICE – Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. These principles form the foundation of Rice’s culture, shaping interactions and decisions, while promoting a welcoming atmosphere for all members and visitors to the campus.

The university is currently seeking an Event Specialist to join the team under the supervision of the senior director of campus and community engagement and conference services. This role is crucial to ensuring the flawless planning and execution of various events and conferences, combining creativity, organizational rigor, and impeccable attention to detail. The Event Specialist's responsibilities span from conceptualizing elevated, customized event strategies to managing budgets, securing appropriate venues, coordinating with vendors, and overseeing logistics on-site. Collaboration with campus partners, volunteers, and external stakeholders is vital in delivering successful events that represent Rice University’s standards of excellence.

This position emphasizes the capability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, requiring the candidate to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong verbal and written communication skills. Familiarity with special event etiquette and diplomacy protocols is essential, ensuring all events are conducted with professionalism and grace. The role is offered as a hybrid position, combining both remote and in-office work to balance flexibility with effective collaboration. The salary is commensurate with education and experience, and the role is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning it is salaried without eligibility for overtime.

As an Event Specialist at Rice, you will engage deeply in project coordination from start to finish, prepare advance materials, manage event logistics, and provide critical administrative support. You will also serve as a liaison to maintain and develop strong relationships with a network of campus and off-campus vendors. The role occasionally involves physical tasks related to event setup and requires the candidate to have access to transportation. Rice University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants and providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities during the application and employment process. This makes the Event Specialist position not just a job, but part of a dedicated community striving for excellence in higher education and community engagement.