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Rice University

Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in the heart of Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. We are more than a place of academic excellence and pioneering research—Rice is a vibrant and welcoming community where every faculty, staff, and student is valued and empowered to grow. 

Rice is committing to unparalleled excellence as we work to become the premier university in the world for teaching and research. We won’t do it like any other institution. We will do it with humanity for the good of humankind. We will do it on a personalized scale as only Rice can. 

The Rice Experience is our excellence and our culture of care — the close interactions between faculty and students, the interdisciplinary connectedness of our fields of study, and the commitment and ownership to Rice and our community. Learn more about Rice University’s newly launched ten-year strategic plan Momentous. 

At Rice, we share a set of core values—Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence—that shape our culture and guide how we engage with one another and the world around us. These values define our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced, creativity is nurtured, and personal and professional growth is supported. 

Join us in building a community where every voice matters and every contribution is celebrated. Here, your work will have a meaningful impact, and you will be part of something extraordinary. Rice is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking leader to join us as the IT Construction Project Manager, 

Rice University Office of Information Technology (OIT) 

OIT will provide excellent constituent service, acting as a strategic partner to advance Rice University’s priorities and mission of “path breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contribution to the betterment of our world”. 

IT will fuel innovation at speed across the university by building a culture of trust, using an effective and service-focused operating model, driving seamless experiences, and providing core IT capabilities. 

Project Management Office

The Project Management Office supports the implementation of university-wide strategic initiatives in facilities construction, infrastructure, and applications. The PMO also sets project management standards, provides guidance on project management best practices, and monitors project intake. 

Position Summary

The IT Construction PM manages IT infrastructure projects related to campus construction, renovation, and relocation projects. They serve as a liaison with the Facilities and Capital Planning (F&CP) department on new construction, renovation and relocation projects.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to serve as project manager for the IT infrastructure component of major capital projects, using to standard project management principles. This includes establishing scope, mitigating risk, managing vendor relations, delivering on time / on budget, and engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Rice University, we believe in the power of people. As the IT Construction Project Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to shape a positive and thriving campus climate, influence institutional strategy, and leave a legacy of growth, belonging, and excellence. Join us as we continue to create a dynamic, diverse, and supportive community.

Workplace Requirements 

This hybrid position combines in-office and remote work to provide flexibility while supporting collaboration, requiring a minimum of 3 onsite days per week. The role includes site visits to construction environments during working hours, necessitating good mobility for walking around work sites in all weather conditions. Additionally, the individual may need to lift or move IT or A/V equipment. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be $115,000. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted. 3 years of increasingly responsible experience successfully managing various projects in a technical environment Skills Able to drive the team towards goals, comfortable in pointing out scheduling and engineering challenges, assertive and positive, and can work effectively in a collaborative problem-solving environment. Possesses time management and project management skills; able to conceptualize abstract ideas into concrete plans. Comfortable in working with vendors to establish accountability and partnership.

OIT Competency Expectations

Trust Building and Stakeholder Engagement 

Foster trust across the campus by being transparent, reliable, consistent, and solution-oriented in communication and execution. Ensure clear, consistent, and timely communication with all constituents, maintaining a service-oriented mindset and addressing challenges with integrity. 

Collaboration and Cross-functional Leadership 

Lead through collaboration, working across departments and with external partners to achieve shared goals. Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with academic, research, and administrative units to develop and implement IT solutions that enhance institutional success. Establish intentional periodic check-ins to support active collaboration efforts. 

Agility and Responsiveness 

Be adaptive and responsive to the dynamic needs of the university community, ensuring swift, effective service delivery. Anticipate challenges and pivot quickly to address issues, with a focus on creating seamless and user-friendly experiences. 

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement 

Maintain a culture of continuous improvement in all IT operations to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.  Regularly assess and optimize processes, systems, and technologies to enhance performance, scalability, and user satisfaction. 

Preferences:

5 years of experience Certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional), ITIL V4, and / or Agile Experience Experience managing IT construction and/or renovation projects.  Experience as an IT representative on a design team, including vendors and architects, for greenfield construction projects.  Related experience with Audio Visual, low voltage cabling systems, access control, security, voice/data technologies and IT infrastructure.  Experience with project management tools such as MS Project, JIRA, Asana, and/or Monday.com. Demonstrated experience in estimation, procurement, and managing technology project budgets. Skills Working understanding of network design and voice and data infrastructure concepts. Proficiency in reading architectural and technical design documents.    Ability to create and explain technical plans and schematics.    Knowledgeable of current and emerging information technology products and services. Experience leading technology vendor selection.  Ability to analyze projects & budgets. Communication.  Achieve results from teams composed of employees, contractors, and consultants, without a direct reporting line. Stress-resistant. Flexible.    Negotiation skills.    Conflict management.    Prioritization, effective planning and plan management.  Structured and organized  Able to work and achieve goals in a complex and continuously changing environment. Experience leading technology vendor selection, coordinating vendor activities, and in vendor relationship management. Ability to control scope, develop project plans, estimate resource requirements, and analyze budgets.

Essential Functions:

Oversight of key IT projects in multiple disciplines related to construction and renovations through partnering with OIT staff, university customers, and other campus partners. Identifies key stakeholders and establishes requirements-gathering and process design workshops to define future state. Works with university executives, FE&P, solution vendors, external consultants and internal OIT leaders to solicit guidance and ensure organizational alignment. Reviews programs in operational areas, recommends improvements and leads implementations that have depth and impact on an initiative Represents and partners with OIT functional areas to keep communication open and ensure the right resources are involved throughout Manages and supports all aspects through substantial completion Monitors and evaluates risks and identifies risk mitigation strategies for escalation as necessary Manages the project-related IFB/RFP process to procure goods/services, following University-approved guidelines and OIT standards. Provides oral and written leadership updates to executive sponsors Encourages and supports innovative thinking and solutions Acts as an escalation point for relevant OIT-related issues raised by key stakeholders Develops and manages vendor relationships Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

Coordinate all aspects of the development and implementation of assigned projects and provide a single point of contact for those projects. Documents project scope, project operating structure, controls, roles, and responsibilities through partnering with OIT staff, university customers, vendors, and other campus partners. Manages project scope and timeline through established change order process. Works with internal OIT leaders, solution vendors, external consultants and key stakeholders to solicit guidance and ensure organizational alignment. Monitors and evaluates risks, and identifies risk mitigation strategies, and escalates for leadership attention as necessary. Provides regular budget and ETC (dollars / hours) project updates; ensures progress aligns with milestones.  Performs all other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed 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.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.