Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

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:
The Director of the Student Disability Resource Center is a dynamic and knowledgeable leader dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can succeed. This individual brings expertise in disability services, familiarity with relevant federal and state laws (including the ADA and Section 504), and strong skills in communication, marketing, and public presentation. The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal abilities, be comfortable engaging with diverse campus stakeholders, and have a solid understanding of university operations, including budgeting and organizational structure.
Applying a public health approach, the Director will broaden the center’s scope to include individualized case management, support for learning differences regardless of formal diagnosis, and consultation services for faculty implementing accommodations.
The Director is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the university’s disability services for students. This includes ensuring equal access to academic programs, fostering an inclusive campus culture, and maintaining legal compliance. This role requires close collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to promote student success. The Director also manages a team of administrative and professional staff and works across departments to coordinate and enhance disability-related services.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
The Director of the Student Disability Resource Center is a strategic and inclusive leader committed to fostering a supportive learning environment for all students. This role requires expertise in disability services and ADA regulations, and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse campus audiences. The Director will expand the center’s impact by applying ADA best practices and offering individualized case management, supporting students with (or without) formal diagnoses, and consulting with faculty on accommodations. In addition to adhering to legal compliance and equal access, the Director will collaborate across departments and campus stakeholders, manage a dedicated team, and help shape a campus culture that prioritizes accessibility and student success.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all in-person duties at Rice University. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $106,500–$110,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in higher education, social work, public health, or a related field is required 4+ years of experience in disability services or a related field in higher education, with a strong understanding of the ADA, Section 504, and other disability-related laws and regulations Proven experience in program management, leadership, and supervision

Skills:

Strong understanding of disability-related issues in higher education and best practices for supporting students with disabilities Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and external partners Experience developing and delivering workshops, training, and presentations Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines effectively Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic academic environment Experience with disability services management software or similar tools Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships

Preferences:

Master’s or Doctoral degree in higher education, social work, public health, or a related field Experience working directly with students with disabilities in an academic environment is highly preferred Experience with Oracle Cloud Applications, AIM, Maxient, Microsoft Office, and Google Drive systems

Essential Functions:

Advises and assists the university with accommodations for individuals with disabilities in programs and services Oversees all processes that address the documentation of disability and the development of accommodations Oversees all diagnostic testing services and processes involving course substitution and waivers for program admission, completion, and graduation Oversees the development of student initiatives that improve program completion outcomes for students with disabilities Maintains knowledge of current legislation and national, state, and local issues affecting access for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities Develops and implements strategies, policies, and procedures that ensure the university complies with legal requirements related to disability services Serves as a primary point of contact for students, faculty, and staff regarding disability-related student needs and concerns Coordinates the process of providing accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring that accommodations are provided promptly and effectively Conducts intake interviews with students to assess their needs and recommend appropriate accommodations and services Advocates for students with disabilities to ensure access to university resources and academic programs Works with faculty and staff to create an inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities, offering guidance on implementing accommodations and accessible teaching strategies Provides training and support for faculty, staff, and administration on best practices for accommodating students with disabilities and fostering an inclusive campus culture Develops and delivers workshops or presentations on disability awareness and disability rights to various campus stakeholders Partners with campus departments to raise awareness about the services available to students with disabilities and promote an inclusive culture

Additional Functions:

Stays current on local, state, and federal disability regulations and guidelines to ensure that university policies and practices are up to date and compliant Maintains accurate and confidential records of student accommodations and disability-related information Prepares and submits reports related to disability services and student outcomes as required by university administration or accrediting bodies Works closely with academic departments, student support services (Wellbeing, Rice Counseling Center, Student Success Initiatives, Academic Advising, etc.), and other campus services to support the overall well-being and academic success of students with disabilities Develops partnerships with external disability organizations and advocacy groups to keep informed about best practices and emerging trends in the field Advises on preparing for large capital improvement projects

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.