Fair Housing and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director

Are you someone who enjoys leading and building upon action plans and educating others in order to move forward DEI strategies? Are you passionate about fair housing, racial justice, and inclusion? If so, this is a great opportunity for you to join the Strategy and Engagement team at the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Yes, we’re a 100+ year old organization serving real estate – no, we’re not a stodgy 100+ year old organization serving real estate. In fact, we’re pretty cool (or so we think), and we’re a powerful voice for housing in California. We also think we’re an awesome company to work for. So, here’s what you need to know about the job:

Job Title: Fair Housing and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director
Reports To: Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
Group: Strategy & Engagement
Compensation Range: $98,000 to $110,000 annually

The Role:

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is devoted to advancing homeownership for all Californians. The Association’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Fair Housing (FH) in all facets of the organization will drive innovation, foster creativity and result in positive change for C.A.R., its members, and communities throughout the state.

The FH & DEI Director will lead and build upon our current DEI strategy and action plan that includes: change management; member education in areas such as fair housing, racial justice, and inclusion; establishing new types of relationships with Association volunteer leaders who will serve as allies for change; foster relationships with historically under-represented segments of the Association’s membership to ensure that the diversity in the voices are represented; supporting public policy that increases homeownership rates for disadvantaged communities; and outreach to California real estate agents to encourage diversity within the volunteer ranks. In addition, the FH & DEI Director will provide leadership among the staff to identify employee education opportunities and accelerate inclusive and equitable employment practices. Lots of variety – you won’t be bored!

Key Responsibilities:

• Review, develop, and promote programs that connect, engage, retain and recruit members with a particular focus on diverse representation (Black, Latinx, AAPI, LGBTQ, and other groups).

• Oversee the design and development of programs that provide information on financing opportunities, fostering financial literacy, bridging the language and cultural gaps, overcoming barriers and promoting sustainable homeownership.

• Lead and foster relationships with local associations, diversity-based real estate associations, and other partner organizations with the goal of encouraging and promoting REALTORS® as leaders and allies within the state’s increasingly diverse communities.

• Foster strategic partnerships for the purpose of promoting homeownership to diverse communities, and provide support to REALTOR® members servicing diverse market areas.

• Work with Human Resources to align people, practices and policies with the DEI strategic and operational efforts to hire, develop, promote and retain a diverse workforce, to maintain and enhance an inclusive work environment, and to develop strategies and Key Performance Indicators that measure progress and create accountability within the Association.

• Work with the CSO to lead C.A.R.’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in all facets of the organization through innovation, and foster creativity that will result in positive change for C.A.R., its members, and communities throughout the state.

• Identify and evaluate educational programs or materials that will serve as a resource for REALTORS®, local associations and staff; develop such resources where they do not yet exist.

• Work with the leadership team, internal and external partners, key stakeholders and members of C.A.R. to create and implement a roadmap of DEI initiatives and education programs to build awareness, allyship and capabilities across the organization, and to promote the Association’s public policy objectives.

• Establish Key Performance Indicators to assess progress of the DEI initiatives, and share metrics with Association management and leadership on a regular basis.

• Provide resources targeted toward the encouragement of minority-owned brokerages, identify opportunities to support and promote black-owned and other minority-owned businesses, and develop new relationships with advertisers/exhibitors who may bring added value to the Association through participation in Association media and events.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

• 10+ years of professional experience, including 5+ years of leading and implementing diversity and inclusion programs in complex organizations or in community organizing.

• A proven track record of partnering with and influencing key stakeholders as well as all levels of the organization.

• Change management capabilities with effective relationship building skills across the organization.

• Disciplined, data-oriented, analytical leader who possesses business intelligence that is equally as strong as their emotional intelligence.

• Excellent communicator and writer, with the ability to build strong and lasting relationships.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the real estate industry is a plus!

About THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®:

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® offers a collaborative environment that will allow you the opportunity to work on impactful projects that make a difference. What we love the most about working here are the autonomy, collaborative team environment and commitment to a positive work/life integration. And we like so much more, but we’ll tell you about that later.

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. The Association develops and promotes programs and services for its nearly 200,000 members and keeps the public informed about real estate in California.