Director of Campus Grounds and Landscape Design

Rice University is seeking a Director of Campus Grounds and Landscape Design to oversee the maintenance and development of its 300-acre campus. The role requires expertise in landscape architecture and sustainable practices, along with strong leadership skills. This full-time position is on-site in Houston, TX, requiring in-person presence to fulfill its essential functions, ensuring a beautiful and functional environment for the university community.
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Rice University has engaged Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace to
assist with this search. To apply for this position, please read
the special instructions on the KK&W posting and upload your
resume and cover letter (in that order) using this link .

Lead Search Executive:

Armen Suny

Search Executive, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE

216-509-2250

armen@kkandw.com

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.

Position Summary

When you join Rice University, you are joining a leading research
university with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate
education. Rice University aspires to pathbreaking research,
unsurpassed teaching, and contribution to the betterment of our
world. It seeks to fulfill this mission by cultivating a diverse
community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across
the spectrum of human endeavor. Discover endless opportunities to
grow and make your mark at Rice University.

The Director of Campus Grounds and Landscape Design will be
responsible for the comprehensive oversight,

development, and maintenance of the university’s 300-acre campus
and 4,300 cataloged trees. This role combines

visionary landscape design with practical groundskeeping
management, ensuring that the campus remains a

beautiful, sustainable, and functional environment for students,
faculty, staff, and visitors. Reports to and works closely with the
Assistant Vice President of Facilities, Engineering, and
Operations.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in landscape
architecture, horticulture, and sustainable practices, as well as
proven leadership and management skills. They will understand that
success in this role requires a commitment to teamwork, constant
improvement, and dedication to first-class customer service “with
no upper limit.”

Workplace Requirements

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

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site
presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary
will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for
overtime.

Minimum Requirements
• Associate degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture,
Environmental Science, or a related field
• 6+ years of experience in landscape design and
groundskeeping management, with at least 3 years in a supervisory
role
• Skills
• Proven expertise in sustainable landscape practices and
integrated pest management
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage
multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal
skills
• Proficiency in landscape design software and other relevant
technology
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and
perform physical tasks as needed

Preferences
• 10 years of related experience
• Master’s degree preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Essential Functions

Landscape Design and Planning:
• Support, supplement, and implement the long-term landscape
master plan that aligns with the university’s strategic goals and
aesthetic vision.
• Design and oversee the installation of new landscaping
projects, including gardens, outdoor study areas, walkways, and
recreational spaces.
• Collaborate with architects, consulting landscape architects,
engineers, and other stakeholders on campus development projects to
ensure cohesive integration of landscape elements.
• Ensure the use of native and drought-resistant plants at
appropriate locations per the campus landscape framework plan to
promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Groundskeeping Management:
• Oversee all groundskeeping operations, including mowing,
pruning, planting, irrigation, pest control, and general
maintenance.
• Develop and manage the groundskeeping budget, ensuring
efficient allocation of resources and cost-effective
operations.
• Implement and oversee an integrated pest management (IPM)
program to minimize chemical usage and promote ecological
balance.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of the groundskeeping staff by
promoting a culture of safety and adherence to best practices.

Leadership and Supervision:
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of groundskeeping staff,
fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Conduct regular training sessions for staff on best practices
in landscape maintenance, sustainability, and safety.
• Coordinate with other campus departments, including facilities
management, to ensure seamless operations and collaboration.
• Participate in and potentially co-chair facilitating meetings
and activities related to the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum.

Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship:
• Promote and implement sustainable landscaping practices,
including water conservation, composting, and the use of organic
fertilizers.
• Stay abreast of current trends and advancements in sustainable
landscape design and maintenance, incorporating new techniques as
appropriate.
• Develop and manage programs for waste reduction and recycling
within groundskeeping operations.

Community Engagement:
• Engage with students, faculty, and staff to foster a sense of
ownership and pride in the campus landscape.
• Develop educational programs and initiatives related to
landscaping, horticulture, and sustainability, in collaboration
with academic units such as the Wiess School of Natural
Sciences.
• Represent the university at regional and national conferences,
workshops, and other professional events.

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.