The Principal Gifts team of the Development and Alumni Relations division engages Rice University’s most passionate donors who have the capacity to make a transformative impact on its mission. Working closely with the President and the Academic Executive Leadership team, the Principal Gifts team fosters close relationships with new and established high-net-worth individuals as well as oversees the coordinated engagement strategies to secure eight and nine-figure gifts in support of the University’s highest priorities. The team also supports the strategic engagement of Rice University’s most powerful advocates serving on its Board of Trustees and related working committees. 

To be considered for the Executive Director, Annual Giving opportunity at Rice University, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to Bryant Group at tfrederick@bryantgrp.com with the subject line: Executive Director, Annual Giving at Rice University.

The Talent Management Coordinator will join a highly visible and dynamic talent management team and help support the overall talent management strategy for the Development and Alumni Relations Division at Rice University. This valuable member of the team will be responsible for coordinating day-to-day activities and providing overall support for the talent management efforts for the division. Typical duties include, but are not limited to, managing the end-to-end candidate experience during search processes (candidate correspondence, scheduling for both virtual and in-person interviews, candidate travel, and search committee coordination); assisting with the preparation, delivery and retention of employee documentation; managing team member calendars for internal and external meetings; scheduling and organizing division trainings and retreats; managing new hire onboarding and offboarding activities; entering new or updated information into various systems and/or programs with a high level of precision; preparing various reports, checklists, dashboards and presentations; and collecting data related to organizational performance metrics, execution of division committees and employee events.

Responsible for planning and implementing an integrated approach to development that maximizes philanthropic support with all donor constituencies in a prime geographic region of the US, specifically northern California and the Pacific Northwest, the Senior Director of Development reports to the Executive Director of Development for the regional major gift program. This position has overall responsibility for the major gift fundraising efforts within the region and collaborating with the principal gifts team on donors giving at the highest levels of the university. The role will require extensive travel and will involve building a strategic plan for the region, integrating cultivation of prospects by the President, Provost, Deans and other high-level partners. The Senior Director of Development is also responsible for developing and executing the fundraising strategy for his/her own high-potential portfolio. Future potential for managing an Associate Director of Development within the team exists.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications, the Development Writer works collaboratively with a team of writers, designers, communications professionals and fundraising staff to develop persuasive case prospectuses and proposals, craft presidential correspondence, interview stakeholders and donors, write compelling stories and marketing content and complete other communication projects as time allows. Finally, the Development Writer serves as a point person for creative decisions on select assignments, which may include leading brainstorming sessions with division partners, pitching concepts, organizing planning sessions and working collaboratively on strategy and goals.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Development Information Services, the Systems Analyst works at an experienced level supporting Rice University’s alumni/development system (OwlConnect, powered by Blackbaud CRM) and related applications, including the integrations to and from other campus systems. The Systems Analyst has expertise in a combination of technical and business application areas and actively participates in new technology initiatives. This position is responsible for working with OwlConnect users to develop queries, reports, automated business processes, integrations to third party systems and data warehouse solutions to support their business.

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, DAR Communications and Marketing, the Graphic Designer develops and implements creative design strategies for Rice’s Development and Alumni Relations division. Specific duties include the design of print communications such as direct mail solicitations, invitations, brochures and newsletters, as well as digital communications including webpages, emails, social media campaigns and video graphics. The Graphic Designer also helps develop communication plans and strategies, stays abreast of best practices and trends, attends and/or advises on press checks, and helps ensure the high quality and visual consistency of marketing materials produced by the Development and Alumni Relations division. Finally, the Graphic Designer works closely with campus partners, including Rice's Public Affairs division, to represent and promote Rice University's brand.