Promotions and Reclassifications

Promotions and Reclassifications support the advancement and alignment of roles within the organization.

What is a Promotion?

A promotion at Rice University is an organizational decision that moves an employee from their current position into a higher-level role with increased scope, complexity, and accountability. Promotions typically involve a new job title, an increase in pay grade or salary, and a broader impact on the University’s goals.

*A promotion is a competitive move into a different, higher-level classification and not an adjustment to the current job.

Purpose & When to Use a Promotion

Promotion is used when:

  • The employee is selected for a posted, higher-level vacancy through the University’s recruitment process; or
  • The University implements a career ladder/progression within a defined job family that specifies advancement to the next level as a distinct job with higher standards; and
  • The move is justified by business need, performance, and qualifications, not just time in role.

* A promotion is not used to simply recognize strong performance in the same job (use merit/bonus) or to update a job to reflect evolving duties (use reclassification).

Posting & Selection

Rice requires that all positions be posted to ensure fairness, unless specifically exempted under Policy 406, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the compensation team.

What is a Reclassification?

A reclassification is an adjustment of an existing position’s classification based on a significant, sustained change in job duties and responsibilities. It does not involve moving into a new, posted job. Instead, it ensures that the position is properly aligned to the correct job title, pay grade, and FLSA status.

* A reclassification is an update of the current job, not a competitive selection into a different one; however, in some cases where equity concerns exist, the position may need to be posted internally.

Purpose & When to Use a Reclassification

Reclassification is used when:

  • The position’s scope or duties have substantially changed (expanded or reduced) on a permanent basis; or
  • The work now requires different qualifications than originally assigned; and
  • The changes are significant enough to warrant a different job level or family.

Reclassification is not used for temporary duty changes, performance recognition (use merit/bonus), or market/equity adjustments.

Infographic: Staff Promotions

POLICY 406 - Promotion and Transfer

Resources