Associate Director of Graduate Recruitment, Rice Global India

About the Role

The Associate Director of Graduate Recruitment, Rice Global India, plays a critical role in advancing Rice University's graduate enrollment strategy across India. This position implements and expands recruitment efforts for Rice's industry-aligned Professional Master's programs in Engineering, Natural Sciences, and the Jones Graduate School of Business. The role reports to the Director of Partnerships and Operations, Rice Global India, and collaborates closely with Rice's Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Business schools in Houston.

This position is based in India, with location flexible across major metros and a preference for Bengaluru. The Associate Director will be hired directly by Rice Global India in a full-time role that requires up to 50% regular travel across India. Candidates must have existing legal authorization to work in India.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute localized graduate recruitment strategies targeting premier engineering, science, and business students across India.
• Generate, qualify, and track prospective student leads within the student database to build a robust application pool, supporting conversion at every stage of the admissions pipeline.
• Provide high-touch, student-centered guidance to applicants individually and in groups on admissions, program tracks, and career alignment.
• Work closely with Rice's Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Jones Business School departments in Houston to support smooth, timely applicant review.
• Track application and enrollment metrics, generating regular reports across all three schools to help refine resource allocation and outreach strategies.
• Organize, host, and represent Rice at in-person and online recruitment events, masterclasses, and university visits.
• Contribute to the development of marketing materials, social media strategy, and digital campaigns tailored for the Indian student market.
• Stay informed of trends in international education, STEM visa regulations, and evolving workforce demands affecting graduate students in India.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in international student recruitment, higher education marketing, or institutional consultative sales.

Skills

• Strong understanding of Indian and US academic and professional cultures; ability to engage credibly with premier institutions including IITs, NITs, IIMs, and BITS.
• Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding recruitment and enrollment metrics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google platforms; familiarity with digital marketing tools, social media, and campaign analytics.
• Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously with a high degree of independence and strong organizational skills.

Workplace Requirements

• Travel within India on a regular basis (up to 50%) to attend recruitment events, masterclasses, and university visits.
• Occasional evening or weekend availability for recruitment events and application deadlines.