Chief Diversity Officer

Job Description SPU seeks an experienced diversity expert and student success advocate with significant federal grants experience to create and provide leadership for the Center for Inclusive Excellence. Reporting directly to the provost, the CDO will design, execute, and assess diversity initiatives to foster an inclusive campus environment where students can thrive and to advance desired institutional changes.

The CDO will serve as the Project Director for the University’s U.S. Department of Education Title V grant, Bienestar for All, and convene and lead the Steering Team to review the project plan, timetable, and evaluation methods. The Director will establish and lead the Center for Inclusive Excellence, the hub for DEIJ initiatives, and will lead in developing a DEIJ strategic plan. The CDO will form and chair the DEIJ Council with broad-based membership (including student leaders of diversity organizations) to help create an inclusive culture, build understanding of equity-mindedness, and recommend equity-embedded student success efforts throughout the campus. The CDO will oversee the administration of an annual campus climate survey to benchmark progress for an inclusive environment. The CDO will collaborate with the Faculty Director of DEI, the directors of Faculty Development and Human Resources, related professional development/support efforts, and the DEIJ Council to develop robust, ongoing, and effective hiring practices and professional development to foster inclusive excellence. Formal policies and guidelines for conducting DEIJ-informed searches will be developed and progress benchmarked in the profile of employees.

Salary Range: $125,000 Duties & Responsibilities •Develop and implement strategies to advance institutional change, foster a positive and inclusive work environment, and ensure that inclusion and diversity considerations are incorporated into the everyday work of the institution.
• Lead the DEIJ Council to coordinate and support the work of student, faculty and staff initiatives to advance social justice and foster cultural and historical awareness of the experiences of marginalized or minoritized groups.
• Lead inclusion, diversity, and belonging programs and opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
• Advise and collaborate with the President, Provost, Faculty director of DEI, the DEIJ Council, staff, faculty and students regarding the development and implementation of targeted initiatives.
• Partner with Human Resources to develop and review recruitment, hiring, and retention practices throughout the university to support inclusion and diversity.
• Conduct faculty and staff investigations in consultation with Human Resources.
• Track and report diversity and inclusion metrics on faculty, staff, and students, as required.
• Stay current on effective industry practices locally and nationally.
• Maintain a wide range of industry networks to publicize and promote diversity and inclusion at the university. Qualification Standards • Five (5) to 10 years of experience in higher education administration
• Excellent managerial and organizational skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in grant management and report writing desirable
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team
• Leadership skills including the ability to make sound decisions and delegate appropriately.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with colleagues, staff, students, administrators, and others of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to a culturally inclusive workplace and educational
environment.
• Skilled with interpersonal communications, conflict resolution and organizational management.
• Demonstrated competencies to organize, set priorities, attend to details, and follow tasks through to completion. Education • Master’s degree required; Doctoral degree preferred