Human Resource Generalist

Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach both a resume and a cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid formatting issues. In your materials, please highlight any experience you have with employee relations, compensation and career architecture, and the employee lifecycle.

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:
We are seeking a strategic and bilingual (Spanish/English) HR Generalist to support our Real Estate, Facilities, and Capital Projects teams during a period of organizational growth and infrastructure transformation. Reporting to the Senior People Strategy & Business Partner, this role partners closely with operational leaders to implement HR strategies that strengthen team effectiveness, workforce development, and employee engagement.

The HR Generalist will play a key role in coordinating and supporting HR initiatives in collaboration with Rice's central HR team across the full employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, onboarding, training and leadership development, and employee relations to support reorganization efforts and future workforce structure. The role also contributes to a positive workplace culture through retention strategies, offboarding processes, and the use of HR analytics to inform decision-making.

This is a high-impact position supporting a multifaceted and bilingual workforce that spans field-based, technical, and corporate roles. It offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a dynamic and evolving organization.

Ideal Candidate Statement:
We are looking for a strategic, self-directed HR professional with broad HR experience. The ideal candidate is skilled in coaching leaders, navigating complex employee issues, and collaborating across HR functions, with strong knowledge of labor laws and compliance. Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Experience analyzing HR metrics to support business decisions and working in fast-paced, multi-site environments is essential. A background in higher education, construction, facilities operations, or real estate is preferred, along with HR certification and leadership coaching.

This candidate will partner with leaders to drive change, build culture, and support business objectives during a pivotal period of transformation. They will contribute to shaping a workplace where people grow, thrive, and feel valued, working alongside forward-thinking leaders.

Workplace Requirements:
On-site presence is expected to support business operations and meet divisional support requirements. This position is offered as a hybrid role, with up to two remote days per week after initial onboarding. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $60,000 - $70,000. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. *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
• 2+ years of progressive HR experience in generalist or strategic roles supporting HR activities

Key Competencies:

• Expertise in employment law, employee relations, talent management, organizational development, and compliance
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills with proven ability to influence at all organizational levels
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment
• Ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Knowledge of performance management, recruitment, employee engagement, leave administration (e.g., FMLA, ADA), and HRIS tools (e.g., Workday, Oracle)
• Experience with organizational redesign, career frameworks, and engagement initiatives
• Comfortable working with technically skilled workforces and in dynamic industries undergoing transformation

Preferences:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field; advanced degree is a plus
• Professional HR certification and/or Leadership or Executive Coaching certification is highly desirable
• Fluency in both Spanish and English (written and verbal) is required
• Proven experience supporting complex organizations, ideally in industries like higher education, real estate, construction, engineering, or facilities operations
• Strong expertise across multiple HR Centers of Excellence (e.g., employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, learning and development)

Essential Functions:

• Act as a skilled advisor on employee relations issues by guiding conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation to maintain a positive and compliant workplace culture
• Support organizational restructuring efforts, including conducting desk audits, job analysis, updating organizational charts, and developing career ladders and job descriptions
• Design and implement employee engagement initiatives such as recognition programs, social events, and learning opportunities to enhance morale and workplace culture
• Deliver targeted training for managers and supervisors on leadership skills including coaching, performance management, time management, and communication
• Collaborate with leaders and HR teams to analyze employee data and HR metrics to inform workforce planning, engagement strategies, and organizational and managerial effectiveness
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to develop recruitment strategies and ensure quality candidate selection, an effective onboarding process that promotes early employee engagement and long-term success with clear competencies
• Manage offboarding processes, conduct exit interviews, facilitate knowledge transfers, collaborate on the development of SOPs, and analyze turnover trends to drive continuous improvement in retention and employee experience
• Ensure all HR programs and initiatives align with organizational goals, values, and compliance requirements
• Partner with all HR Centers of Excellence to support project delivery and provide comprehensive support to business units
• Perform additional duties as assigned

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.

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