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Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a multifunctional leadership position that works with and serves the University's faculty, staff and students by advocating and implementing initiatives that lead and inspire the University community to uphold and advance the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as pillars of institutional responsibility. The Executive Director of EDI provides leadership in advancing initiatives, policies and practices that affirm and promote the University's mission, vision and values as a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The Executive Director of EDI provides leadership, supervision and support for the development of an intentionally inclusive University community that supports a diverse student body through programs and services that support multiculturalism and social justice.
The Executive Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion reports to the President and is a member of the President's Cabinet.

Job Description:

• Provides strategic vision and leadership for university-wide equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, including enhanced cultural competence, equity-based practices, and institutional accountability.

• Supports the development and design of initiatives that reflect the University's mission as an HSI and MSI and that promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging; Provides specific support for Latinx/a/e, Black, and AANAPISI students, faculty, and staff to advance retention and success.

• Leads the development and implementation of proactive equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives to create a teaching, learning and working environment that reflects and supports the University's diverse, intercultural and multilingual community; Provides training and development for faculty and staff that enhances cultural competence, that promotes a culture of equity, inclusion and belonging, and that supports faculty, staff and student success.

• Works collaboratively across University areas, including Academic and Student Affairs, Student Success and Retention, Center for Teaching and Learning, Human Resources, and the University Ombuds, to implement strategies, programs and services that support equitable faculty, staff and student success in alignment with the University's mission and goals.

• Provides University-wide EDI programming, events, education and training to cultivate knowledge and understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion and access, and to build cultural competency skills across the campus community.

• Supports the development, evaluation and monitoring of metrics to assess the effectiveness of the University's equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives and programs; Conducts and/or collaborates on campus climate assessments and gathers quantitative and qualitative data to produce EDI-related reports; Makes data-informed recommendations for continuous improvement.

• Prepares and presents reports to the campus community, the University's governance boards, as well as other agencies and stakeholders on EDI-related related matters that highlight the University's initiatives, successes, challenges and future actions.

• Oversees the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs (APCDIA) and provides leadership and support for its affinity groups, programming and initiatives; Supports University committees such as the University Diversity Council (UDC) and Land Acknowledgement Committee (LAC).

• Performs other duties necessary to accomplish the University's goals and objectives, and/or assigned by the President in the role of Executive Director of Equity Diversity and Inclusion.

Minimal Qualifications:

• A Master's degree from an accredited institution in higher education administration, student affairs, social justice, public policy, organizational development, or related field; A minimum of 5-10 years of progressively responsible EDI leadership experience in roles focused on institutional accountability, fostering broad participation, fairness, and belonging within a similarly complex environment.

• Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated knowledge and experience leading and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives in higher education or similarly complex mission-focused organizations or environments; Record of development and advancement of institutional policies and practices, as well as state-level equity initiatives.

• Mission-Centered Experience: Specific experience with the design and development of initiatives in support of the University's mission as an HSI and MSI that promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging; Demonstrated experience serving and supporting the retention and success of Latinx/a/e, Black, AANAPISI, and international students, faculty, and staff.

• HSI Leadership and External Partnerships: Specific experience and expertise in HSI affairs, including leading HSI initiatives and/or working collaboratively in support of institutional partnerships with organizations, such as HACU and Excelencia in Education; Administrative and/or leadership in related professional organizations, such as ACPA and NADOHE preferred.

• Disciplinary Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of EDI through practice, advocacy, scholarship and/or research; Experience, training and/or professional development in culturally responsive and equity-minded approaches to institutional leadership, training and development; Experience with restorative justice practices.

• Organizational Development, Programming and Training: Demonstrated experience with strategies for organizational change, change management and capacity building; Experience in facilitating programs, training and development for faculty, staff and students, including coaching and/or mentoring; Experience with conflict-resolution, problem-solving, de-escalation and consensus-building skill development in organizations.

• Policy and Compliance: Demonstrated knowledge of discrimination, harassment and equal opportunity laws, policies, regulations, and other guidelines, with ability to interpret and effectively communicate such laws, policies and regulations; Experience with addressing equity, diversity and inclusion and compliance issues.

• Cultural Competency: Evidence of cross-cultural and intercultural competencies; Demonstration of emotional intelligence, culturally responsive and inclusive approaches; Ability to engage diverse stakeholders to foster community and belonging.

• Relational and Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication and presentational skills; Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated empathy; Demonstrated ability to foster trust and collaboration across diverse populations and constituencies in service of consensus-building, conflict management, and institutional change; Experience in crisis and trauma-informed contexts a plus.

OTHER INFORMATION:

The Executive Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is a senior leadership position that requires regular in-person/on-campus attendance to meet the needs of the University and to foster strong and collaborative interactions across the University.

This position requires a background check.

Salary Range

$165,000 - $175,000

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit ourEmployee Benefitspage to learn more about our comprehensive benefits packageincluding health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Transcripts

Copies of unofficial transcripts are accepted; however, official transcripts for all earned degrees will be required of candidates selected for final interviews.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals.Northeastern Illinois University's positions are contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.