Communications Specialist (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and three writing samples to be considered for this position. The writing samples should be submitted as PDFs in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

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, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures 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:

Rice University's Division of Operations, Finance, & Support (OF&S) is undergoing an exciting cultural transformation, prioritizing the customer experience, a community of care, and operational excellence. As an Operational Excellence & Engagement (OE&E) team member, you will play a key role in planning and implementing effective communication strategies in support of a key unit in OF&S - Real Estate & Facilities.

The Real Estate & Facilities (RE&F) team is comprised of architects, engineers, real estate, construction, project management, custodial, grounds, and maintenance professionals who are committed to delivering exceptional service to the campus community through operational excellence and a shared culture of pride, accountability, and care. As we work to strengthen internal communication and connections across this diverse workforce, we are seeking a Communications Specialist who can help bring that vision to life.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for this role is a bilingual (English & Spanish) communicator with a passion for people and purpose. The successful candidate will help ensure all team members-especially those who are non-deskbound-receive timely, relevant, and engaging information that supports their work and fosters a sense of belonging. From listening sessions and team meetings to print campaigns and videos, you'll play a key role in keeping RE&F informed, aligned, and inspired.

Workplace Requirements:

Hybrid Work Schedule: This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of three days on campus each week. Additional on-site presence may be necessary based on job responsibilities and operational needs.

Hiring Range: The hiring salary range for this position is $70,000 to $75,000, commensurate with the selected candidate's experience and qualifications.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Two or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, writing, employee engagement, or other closely related

Skills:

• Fluent in written and spoken Spanish and English
• Strong writing skills that demonstrate the ability to translate complex subjects into concise, accurate, and engaging content that is accessible to a diverse audience
• Demonstrated ability to successfully implement communications strategies and plans
• Strong communication, editing, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic graphic or content tools (e.g., Canva)

Preferences:

• Experience working with non-deskbound or facilities teams
• Familiarity with internal communications tools (email platforms, SMS systems, digital signage)
• Content Development and Writing: Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills. Can produce clear, concise, and compelling content for various platforms, including speeches, presentations, social media, campus messages, videos, and collateral materials.
• Communication Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to use a wide range of communication tools and media-both digital and traditional-to effectively reach diverse audiences. This includes but is not limited to web content management systems, social media platforms, email marketing software, SMS/text communication tools, digital signage, print materials, graphic design software, and video/audio editing tools. Familiarity with planning and executing multichannel communication strategies that span in-person, print, and digital formats to ensure accessibility for all employees, including those who are non-deskbound or Spanish-speaking.
• Customer-Focused: Committed to meeting the expectations and requirements of stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Detail Oriented: Attentive to detail in all aspects of their work. Asks questions, proofreads, is organized, minimizes distractions, pays close attention, and remembers minute details.
• Proactive: Demonstrates a self-starter attitude, driving communications forward with minimal direction, and is adept at operating in ambiguous environments. This individual brings a sense of urgency to their work, with a track record of delivering results efficiently and effectively.
• Exceptional Personal Qualities: A reputation for integrity and the highest ethical standards, sound judgment, ability to establish strong relationships, and a keen desire to be an integral part of the community.

Essential Functions:

• Internal Communications & Content Development:
  • Create and distribute clear, engaging internal communications that reflect the values and priorities of RE&F.
  • Develop content for a range of formats (e.g., newsletters, presentations, flyers, signage, SMS, and email) that reaches non-deskbound employees.
  • Translate internal communications materials from English to Spanish and ensure language is culturally appropriate and accessible.
  • Serve as the content manager for RE&F websites and social media accounts, ensuring information is timely, accurate, engaging, and aligned with university standards.
• Field Engagement:
  • Maintain strong, visible presence across campus to build relationships and gather insights from RE&F employees in the field.
  • Support listening sessions, town halls, and other feedback opportunities to foster two-way communication.
  • Highlight staff achievements and success stories that contribute to a culture of excellence and care.
• Culture & Engagement Support:
  • Work closely with the HR Business Partner and Strategic Communications Manager to support employee engagement and culture-building initiatives.
  • Help reinforce RE&F's commitment to safety, service, and collaboration through internal messaging and storytelling.
• Collaboration:
  • Coordinate with the Strategic Communications Manager to align communication with university and OF&S division priorities.
  • Liaise with other communications teams across campus to ensure consistent messaging and brand standards.

Additional Functions:

• This section helps to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role, ensuring that candidates are aware of all aspects of the job, including less frequent or secondary responsibilities. Additional functions should be at a comparable level to the essential functions and should not be the majority of the job.

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

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

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 contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

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