Director of Equity Design in Higher Education

Company: Southern New Hampshire University
Location: Manchester
Posted on: September 13, 2020

Job Description:

Director of Equity Design in Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is currently seeking a Director of Equity Design in Higher Education. Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, the Director will join a team of professionals charged with implementing the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategic plan and deepening an institutional culture of belonging. This plan focuses squarely on issues of equity and inclusion for SNHU’s diverse learners and employees, with a particular emphasis on populations that have been historically underrepresented in higher education.

The Director of Equity Design in Higher Education (DEDHE) is an enterprise leader who will partner with senior leaders and university stakeholders to develop and drive forward key strategies of the organization. The DEDHE supports SNHU's strategic plan and its commitment to be a diverse, anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive organization. This leader is responsible for leading assessments and reviews at the programmatic and administrative levels, working to eliminate systemic organizational marginalization, promoting anti-racist practices, and identifying interventions to disrupt inequitable structures, customs and leadership practices. This position requires an inspiring, collaborative, courageous, innovative leader with outstanding people and management skills.

Essential responsibilities of this position include the following:

A Leader and Strategist

The DEDHE defines and leads a strategy to conduct equity audits/assessments and make recommendations to cultivate organizational culture, practices, and policies that are equitable and inclusive. This includes:

Articulating an equity identity and lens for SNHU and a strategy for applying an equity lens to all that we do in the service of employees and learners

Conducting equity assessments of programs, policies, procedures, and practices

Authoring evidence-based reports on findings and offering expert insight and recommendations

Partnering with leaders to apply equity design to initiatives, projects and essential work

Monitoring progress toward equity goals as well as the execution of strategies that map toward those goals

Gifted Communicator and Diplomat

The DEDHE shapes SNHU's equity strategy and guides the design of program, policies and practices; this person holds up a mirror to our organization, support our efforts to improve, and also holds us accountable when we fall short of meeting goals and targets. This work requires superb communications skills, both written and verbal, and strong diplomacy skills. The DEDHE is a strong listener and able to build a robust network of partnerships across the organization and community in order to achieve DEI goals. More specifically, this leader must:

Develop consistent communication and feedback mechanisms to ensure we are able to identify, discuss, and address equity issues impacting our learners, faculty, and staff

Stay abreast of research and best practices in equity design and integrate it to SNHU culture and practice

Collaborate and consult with: University leadership to conduct equity audits and apply equity design principles throughout enterprise

University stakeholders to foster alignment and communication of the strategic plan’s objectives to achieve equitable outcomes for all

Faculty-, staff- and learner-facing departments across the University to develop programs, policies and practices that drive a culture of equity and belonging

Human Resources to advance relevant trainings for managers, faculty, subject matter experts, instructional and course designers

Develop concept papers, proposals, reports, and project plans to manage DEI initiatives, and cultivate and steward the necessary stakeholders

Assess and develop DEI academic policies and practices and identify new opportunities to advance equitable, inclusive approaches across multiple dimensions of diversity

Formulate and execute innovative and customized strategies and tactics that result in driving equitable and inclusive programs and philosophies

Lead DEI research and assessment at SNHU

Influence and partner with stakeholders at all levels to advance the DEI strategy through effective communication, transparency, and leveraging of high impact channels

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree(s) or equivalent experience

Demonstrated leadership as effective organizational change agent, preferably in higher education

Demonstrated scholarship related to educational impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion, preferably in higher education

Experience with equity design principles

Experience navigating data systems and translating analyses into meaningful recommendations and storytelling

Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite to include Word, Power Point and Excel

Experience with designing and implementing presentations, workshops, and learning modules on diversity, equity, and social justice

Experience conducting and evaluating research directly related to the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education

Capacity to serve as an ambassador for university diversity and inclusion strategy and efforts through internal and external speaking events

Experience working with marginalized communities

Ability to provide consistent, high-touch, real time interpersonal support for units and departments in an effort to build alliances, trust, buy-in and accountability

An eagerness to identify and assess challenges, and opportunities

Capacity to drive innovative, solutions-focused ideas

Strong leadership in the midst of organizational change

Highly effective social and emotional intelligence, interpersonal, and collaboration skills

Work Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm with flexibility to meet business demands as needed.

A background check is required for employment. Please submit a cover letter, in addition to your resume, with your application.

Why Join SNHU?

Ours is a dynamic environment where innovation is encouraged—and ideas are welcomed. We believe in one another’s potential, and we focus on creating a positive community where collaboration, belonging, and growth are valued.

SNHU employees are a team in every sense. Separately, we understand that each individual brings unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas to create a vibrant work environment. Together we share common values of honesty, acceptance, and accountability working as a unified force toward a common goal: to transform the lives of learners.

As a global leader in education, we strive for a workforce that reflects the individual differences of our learning community. We believe that our employees can be their best selves when they can be their true selves. Therefore, we are committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion in which all of our employees feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. We’re proud to have been recognized as a Great College to Work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education every year since its inception.

By joining our team, you join us in our vision. Together, we’ll shape the future of education by transforming lives—beginning with yours.

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Are you currently employed with SNHU? If so, please apply for opportunities through the Internal Job Board (accessible by logging into your Workday account).

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with an 85-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 100,000 students worldwide, SNHU offers over 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the "Most Innovative" regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each student. Learn more at http://www.snhu.edu

Southern New Hampshire University reaffirms its continuing commitment to afford qualified or qualifiable individuals an equal opportunity to compete for employment and advancement within the University. To ensure equal employment opportunity, Southern New Hampshire University shall not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, color, creed, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran/military status, genetic information, or on any other legally prohibited basis.

Southern New Hampshire University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity and is prohibited from doing so by Title IX. This requirement not to discriminate extends to both admission and employment at the University. Reports of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, and any inquiries concerning the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy may be made to the University’s Title IX Coordinator: Rebecca Lawrence, Title IX Coordinator/Equity Officer, 105 Green Center, 2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH 03106; Telephone: (603) 644-3188; Email: titleix@snhu.edu .

Keywords: Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester , Director of Equity Design in Higher Education, Other , Manchester, New Hampshire