Executive Director of PSM Program

Professional Science Master's Program Executive Director

The Wiess School of Natural Sciences at Rice University seeks an Executive Director for the Professional Science Master's (PSM) Program, a dynamic leadership position at the crossroads of science, education, innovation, and industry engagement. The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership to strengthen and expand one of Rice's most interdisciplinary and industry-connected graduate programs.

This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of professional science education at a world-class research university located in a global hub for energy, healthcare, and technology innovation. The Executive Director leads the PSM program's administrative, business, and marketing operations, drives strategic enrollment growth, and forges partnerships across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors to expand opportunities for students and alumni. Working closely with faculty leadership, the Executive Director helps align program offerings with emerging workforce needs, supports curricular innovation, and ensures a transformative educational experience that integrates scientific expertise with professional development.

The ideal candidate will bring vision, creativity, and a passion for connecting science education to real-world impact. This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven professional to enhance the reach and reputation of Rice's Professional Science Master's programs, fostering connections that empower students, strengthen industry ties, and advance the mission of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.

This position is primarily on-site, requiring that all core duties be performed in person at Rice University. The Executive Director may also be expected to travel outside of Rice University, including occasional evening and weekend commitments, to represent the program at outreach, recruitment, and partnership events.

Hiring Range : Starting at $100,000, with the hiring salary commensurate with experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements :

• Bachelor's degree
• 4+ years of experience in program management in higher education or in science-, technology-, or engineering-driven fields or government sectors

Skills :

Preferences :

Essential Functions :

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.