Chief Diversity Officer

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

A Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

Duties:

The Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (CDO) serves as a key member of HCR’s leadership team and principal advisor to the Commissioner/CEO on all matters related to equity, access, diversity, and inclusion. This role provides strategic leadership, policy direction, and operational oversight to ensure that HCR’s workforce, housing programs, procurement activities, and community engagement efforts embody the principles of fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity. The CDO drives a comprehensive DEI strategy that integrates equity and inclusion into every aspect of HCR’s mission. The Chief Diversity Officer will report to the Commissioner with day to day reporting to the Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Deputy Commissioner. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership and Policy Development:

• Advise the Commissioner/CEO and executive team on DEI-related policy, compliance, and organizational culture matters.
• Lead the development and implementation of HCR’s Five-Year Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan, aligning DEI goals with agency priorities and New York State equity mandates.
• Ensure that HCR’s DEI policies and practices reflect both the spirit and letter of federal and state civil rights, fair housing, and equal opportunity laws.
• Serve as a senior thought partner to executive leadership, ensuring DEI considerations inform policy design, hiring, procurement, and program delivery.
• Serve as liaison to statewide DEI initiatives.
• Provide leadership and counsel to the HCR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Culture, Workforce, and Talent Equity:

• Partner with Human Resources to establish equitable practices in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention, ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integral to all workforce processes.
• Provide executive oversight for the development and delivery of agency-wide DEI training, ensuring alignment with HCR’s mission, values, and compliance obligations.
• Collaborate with Labor Relations and HR to maintain a respectful, bias-free, and harassment-free work environment.
• Lead initiatives, in collaboration with HR, to strengthen career pathways, mentoring, and leadership development opportunities for underrepresented groups.
• Coordinate and assist with the implementation of events and activities that promote diversity and tolerance.

Supplier, Developer, and Community Inclusion:

• Collaborate with HCR’s procurement and development divisions to expand MWBE/SDVOB participation in contracting and construction opportunities.
• Collaborate with HCR’s head of the Department of Empowerment, Compliance & Opportunity (DECO) to develop and implement outreach programs that increase engagement of diverse developers, lenders, and community-based organizations.

Data, Reporting, Transparency, and Accountability:

• Oversee agency-wide data collection, analytics, and reporting related to DEI and EEO outcomes.
• Analyze workforce and program demographic data to identify disparities and guide corrective action.
• Ensure all DEI-related reporting obligations to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Office of Diversity and Inclusion Management (ODIM), and other oversight entities are met in a timely and accurate manner.
• Design and oversee systems to monitor and evaluate agency performance in achieving DEI goals across employment, contracting, and community impact metrics.
• Prepare and present regular DEI progress reports to the Commissioner/CEO and HCR’s Board.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (J.D., M.P.A., M.B.A., or related field) preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in DEI leadership, EEO compliance, or public sector diversity management.
• Demonstrated understanding of Federal and State mandates and laws relating to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action dealing with employment in the public sector in New York State. Knowledge of federal and state civil rights, Title VI, MWBE/SDVOB, and Fair Housing laws and regulations preferred.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic DEI plans and leading cross-functional organizational change.
• Experience in data collection/analysis/strategy preferred.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, foster collaboration, and build trust.
• Experience managing diverse teams and complex compliance or programmatic portfolios.
• Knowledge of or experience in multifamily housing finance preferred.

Key Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic, systems-level thinker who can translate policy into measurable outcomes.
• Politically astute, with skill in navigating multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proven ability to drive culture change through partnership and accountability.
• Commitment to equity, transparency, and public service excellence.