Music Admissions Administrator (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants : In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter 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, lecture 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 how 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.

About The Shepherd School of Music

The Shepherd School of Music at Rice was founded in 1975 and is one of the nation's premier music schools. It currently has approximately 275 exceptionally talented music students from across the U.S. and around the world. The school offers an immersive conservatory-style education within the context of a world-class research university. The school has two buildings that feature four large performance venues, 54 teaching studios, 55 practice rooms, seven classrooms, and premier facilities.

Position Summary

The Music Admissions Administrator supports all aspects of the admissions process from initial inquiry through matriculation, building meaningful relationships with hundreds of prospective students applying to The Shepherd School of Music. Under the supervision of the Music Admissions Assistant Director, the Music Admissions Administrator engages with prospective applicants, arranges student and family visits, organizes audition workflows, coordinates music applications, and data entry, and ensures accurate admissions content on the website and in brochures.

They work collaboratively and independently with the Shepherd School admissions team on communication plans and initiatives to enhance recruitment and enrollment efforts. They also manage prospective student inquiries and applications for Music Admissions and track trends to inform recruitment recommendations.

The Music Admissions Administrator is critical in providing prospective students, parents, and visitors with a positive, lasting impression of the Shepherd School community. This includes annual local and national recruitment travel representing the Shepherd School of Music and Rice University at college fairs, often an applicant's first touch point.

The ideal candidate would have experience working in a collegiate student services position. They are strong communicators with an open, professional presence and a genuine enthusiasm for engaging with prospective students and families. They are customer service-oriented and detail-driven and thrive in collaborative and independent work settings. This person enjoys representing the Shepherd School of Music in various environments and is comfortable interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds. A background in student services or admissions is beneficial, as is a passion for supporting the next generation of musicians.

Workplace Requirements

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change. This position will need to travel locally and nationally for recruitment, be comfortable balancing remote work with fully in-person work during certain times of the year, and have a flexible schedule during the audition season and decision releases, including some required evening and weekend hours. Recruitment travel (driver's license and the ability to rent a car are required)

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits position within a mostly in-person work environment, and the proposed salary range is $54,000 to $56,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Two years of related admissions experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted
• Valid Texas Driver's License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past 5 years

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills that foster a collaborative culture with a diverse group of constituencies and situations
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, and time management skills
• Knowledge of admission processes and programs
• Excellent interpersonal skills such as professionalism, collaborative, influencer and demonstrates cheerful and positive behaviors
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong computer competency required, including proficiency in Google Workspace and CRM software, and general office equipment
• Willingness to learn new software and develop new skills as required

Preferences

• Experience working in college admissions
• A Bachelor's degree in a performing arts discipline
• Three years of experience in a similar role
• Experience working with Slate and FileMaker

Essential Functions

Music Admissions Communication:

• Serves as a main point of contact for prospective students and families in all phases of the admissions process
• Conduct information meetings (in-person and virtually) with prospective students and parents on and off campus throughout the academic year
• Represent the Shepherd School at college fairs, school visits, and organization presentations throughout the country, both in person and remotely
• Serves as the first point of contact for correspondence relating to the auditions component of the admissions process, with primary responsibility for specific departments as assigned
• Advises applicants and their families on the application to Rice University and audition expectations for the Shepherd School
• Serve as the liaison to various internal and external constituencies, representing the Shepherd School of Music and Rice University at the highest level

Application & Audition Logistics:

• Assist with the coordination, tracking, and management of music applications at all stages, with an emphasis on specific departments/areas of focus as assigned
• Review music applications for assigned areas, collaborating with the Assistant Director for Music Admissions to discuss questions and concerns regarding admission recommendations
• Manage the day-to-day operational needs for SSM auditions for undergraduates, graduates, and DMA candidates, including but not limited to confirming faculty availability, reserving rooms, scheduling auditions and the audition day events (eg. parent information sessions, etc.), managing audition materials, hiring pianists, etc., including for specific assigned departments/areas of focus
• Coordinate onsite logistics for admission events, including, but not limited to, facilities requests, production needs, catering, and equipment rentals
• Assist faculty with the review of applicant materials and provide updates on admitted students throughout the process
• Oversee the coordination of admissions conferences, seminars, and related recruitment events

Research:

• Coordinate with the Assistant Director for Music Admissions on recruitment trends and investigate potential feeders for the School of Music
• Develop and strengthen relationships with secondary schools or university personnel, professional organizations, students, parents, and alumni
• Collaborate with campus partners in the development and implementation of programs and strategies for the recruitment of top students and bear primary responsibility for specific areas of focus
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Create documents for presentations, course handouts, grants, conferences, seminars, and reports; perform substantial research, editing, and fact-checking
• Work with the Assistant Director for Music Admissions in collaboration with the SSM Marketing & Communications team to provide content for accurate and timely updates to the Shepherd School admissions webpages, as well as admission/recruitment materials
• Guide and train student workers, including scheduling, assigning, and prioritizing workloads, setting appropriate deadlines, and reviewing work for quality and timeliness

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.