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DIRECTOR, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION, Development & Alumni Relations, Strategic Talent Management

Boston University

Tracking Code

23500608441109

Job Description

Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Advancement Resources & Strategic Talent Management team is looking for a Director who will partner with and give guidance to senior-level management to help develop innovative and measurable solutions to help us move toward a more diverse workplace and inclusive culture in Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) to advance business needs, retain talent and build a strong community.

Advancement Resources & Strategic Talent Management at Boston University

Working with over 260 staff members across 17 schools and colleges to advance the fundraising and alumni engagement mission of the Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) team, the Advancement Resources & Strategic Talent Management (STM) team helps make DAR a great place to work. This service-oriented team makes sure staff have the tools they need for success by handling talent acquisition, on-boarding, employee engagement, learning and development, talent and organizational planning, staff events, and diversity, equity, & inclusion initiatives, as well as finance, operations, and administration for DAR. Comprised of eight team members reporting to an Associate Vice President, the team focuses on people, operations, and finance.

Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement Resources and Strategic Talent Management (AVP), and as a member of the Strategic Talent Management team, the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Senior Diversity Officer will work in collaboration with Boston University’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion (BU D&I), DAR’s Diversity Council, other industry organizations and leading practitioners in the field. The Director will be an active member and leader in the advancement sector.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Guidance:

  • Work closely with senior leadership and the AVP to help create an integrated DEI strategy to advance an inclusive culture to directly support the business of DAR, including planning for the future. This includes developing an understanding of the business of advancement and the current state of DEI initiatives in the industry/division, as well as the need to retain, and develop a more diverse team while creating a culture of inclusion and a community of belonging.
  • With AVP, provides strategic leadership and oversees and manages the implementation of recommendations related to DEI goals arising from Advancement specific reports, including the 2023 DEI Cultural Assessment. In partnership with the AVP and other unit leaders, provides guiding principles and makes recommendations for programs such as talent acquisition, training and talent development, staff engagement, career progression, retention, recognition, and other efforts to advance and a more inclusive workplace to meet the division’s business goals. Works closely with the AVP to manage partnerships with DEI consultants.
  • Represents DAR at industry gatherings, conferences, and other key on and off campus events to engage, identify and help to recruit diverse talent while marketing DAR as a best place to work. This will include both local and national travel and building a reputation as a leader among peers. Become an active member of a national network of advancement DEI/talent management leaders; attend/participates/volunteers in professional organizations (e.g., Council for the Advancement of Education, The Association of Fundraising Professionals, The African American Development Officers Network, Diverse Professionals in Advancement, etc.) talent management conferences, workshops, programs, and other initiatives. Develops local, regional, and national network of professional colleagues.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert for Advancement leadership and staff members to interpret current University legal and policy decisions and their impact on the DEI work of the division.

Program Assessment and Partnership:

  • Works closely with the AVP and unit leaders to develop DAR’s DEI Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and metrics to measure programs. Collaborates with the STM team to provide data for the STM dashboard and works with the AVP to analyze and report data for the Senior Vice President and other University leaders.
  • Partners with the Director STM to ensure DEI is embedded in talent acquisition programs, marketing outreach, and career pathing programs in DAR including building and overseeing elements of DAR’s mentoring and internship programs. Works with managers to identify professional development and growth opportunities by conducting one on one meetings with managers and staff.
  • Works closely with the AVP and STM colleagues to develop DEI related training and learning opportunities, including partnering with central HR offices and BU’s Office of DEI. Manages all consultant and vendor relationships and partners with Associate Director of Learning and Talent Development to embed DEI into all DAR training and learning opportunities.

Staff Liaison & Resource:

  • Serves as community builder, mentor, coach, liaison, and resource for staff. Helps lead career development and management development strategies, programs, and workshops. In addition, this role works collaboratively on professional development and organizational development efforts.
  • Serves as DAR’s Senior DEI Officer in partnership with the SVP/AVP to manage all DEI related resources for the division and employees. Works closely with BU’s Office of DEI, BU’s Equal Opportunity Office, and other internal and external constituents to support staff and leadership, help develop best practice guidelines and principles, policies, and practices around DEI. Advises colleagues and identifies areas of opportunity for growth.
  • Serves as liaison to the DEI Council and partners with Council leadership and DAR senior leaders to advance DEI best practices across DAR and develop policies and guidelines that positively impact DAR culture and increase inclusion and belonging. Oversees related staff pulse surveys and assessments. Oversees and manages relevant staff employee resource groups. Partners with the Council to develop programming, events, and other opportunities to learn, unlearn and celebrate.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Eight or more years of relevant experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating DEI programs within an educational environment; or a comprehensive knowledge of the current best practices around promoting DEI and anti-racism in other settings.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills. Collaborative, open and creative approach to problem solving and a willingness to address challenging issues. Ability to understand and leverage diverse viewpoints and approaches to achieve goals. An innovative and strategic thinker with a broad vision for the role of DEI in achieving goals.
  • A thorough understanding of DEI frameworks is essential. Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to use initiative and sound judgment in decision making. Excellent oral and written communication skills and organizational and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy and discretion.
  • Proven experience as a project leader, particularly around initiatives that promote DEI and anti-racism principles. Proven track record of advancing initiatives while engaging community partners who may have disparate ideas and needs. Experience with the advancement functions of a large-scale educational or research-based institution an asset.
  • Clear evidence of leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion and a record of working collaboratively with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy, empathy, and tact.
  • Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Development and Alumni Relations has partnered with Talent Citizen who will manage the search process. If you are interested in learning more or submitting an application, please review the Talent Citizen posting.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

  • Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
  • Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
  • Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
  • Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
  • Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Job Location

BOSTON, Massachusetts, United States

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

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