What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement position at Amherst College?
Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement
Amherst Campus
Full Time
JR5424
Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.
Job Description:
Amherst College invites applications for the Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement position. The Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $105,000 per year - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.
Under the leadership of the Associate Dean of Students for Equity and Engagement and the Chief Student Affairs Officer & Dean of Students, the Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement is responsible for the coordination, implementation, and enhancement of the College's ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within Student Affairs.
The Senior Director provides strategic guidance to various departments and areas on campus to advance inclusive practices and equitable solutions. In addition to daily supervision and advising, the Senior Director will oversee the strategic direction of related events and programs, including developing and implementing policies and practices that support an inclusive environment on campus for all students. This role includes direct oversight of the Office of Identity and Cultural Resources, which include direct supervision of the Women's & Gender Center (WGC), Queer Resource Center (QRC), Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), Center for International Student Engagement (CISE), Class and Access Resource Center (CARC), and Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) and other OICR professional staff. The Senior Director will set priorities and manage projects to improve the effectiveness and reach of these centers. For example, this may involve coordinating efforts to enhance student engagement across these centers or leading initiatives like dialogic conversations, trainings, and workshops. The Senior Director will serve as a key liaison with various campus offices to facilitate improvements in DEI policies and practices.
A crucial aspect of the Senior Director's role is to raise campus awareness about the importance of DEI, promote a culture of inclusivity, and address systemic barriers. The Senior Director will also support efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce and student body and contribute to creating a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming campus environment.
The Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement is required to work in person, occasionally late nights and weekends, as needed.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Institutional Strategic Direction
- Collaborates with College administrators, faculty, staff, and students in developing, coordinating, and implementing College-wide strategies to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion
- Collaborates with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Student Affairs to align strategic initiatives with the College's ongoing emphasis on diversity and inclusion
- Assesses and addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion issues across various areas of service and proposes solutions. Facilitates coordination and communication among different College offices to ensure compliance with DEI standards. Identifies opportunities to enhance information flows and promote equitable access for all individuals
- In collaboration with a broad range of members of the campus community, works to promote cultural transformation relevant to research-based and evidence-based practices as well as cultural initiatives emerging from the diverse community
Supervision and Strategic Direction of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Services
- Supervises and advises about 4-8 professional staff
- Provides strategic direction to Office of Identity and Cultural Resource (OICR) Staff
- Serves as a subject matter expert on applicable committees/working groups within Student Affairs (including but not limited to Student Affairs Operations Team, Student Affairs Leadership Team, Care Team, Class Dean Meetings, Division Meetings, etc.), and advises individuals across the division on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing support and practical insights
- Advise the Directors of OICR to facilitate a robust student-centered philosophy within OICR
- Lead the Directors of OICR to work with the team in identifying and implementing short- and long-range goals and objectives for the department in coordination with those identified for Student Affairs and the College
- Coordinate with the Directors of OICR about College policies and procedures (including drafting new and updating current policies and practices, as needed) related to students from all backgrounds
- Advise the Directors of OICR when assisting faculty and campus partners in the planning, designing, and implementing programs, events, workshops, etc.
Advising
- Serves as a subject matter expert on applicable working groups and advises individuals across the College on matters related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by providing technical and practical insights
Training, Awareness, and Outreach
- Prepares and delivers (and coordinates resources for outside speakers to provide) presentations, educational programs, written materials, and professional development activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion topics with the intention of reducing systemic barriers and promoting education and awareness, as well as inclusive policies and practices
Professional Development
- Maintains professional knowledge and skills
- Seeks opportunities for self-improvement and/or professional development to remain up-to-date with the latest research, national trends in the field, and current best practices
Qualifications:
Required
- Master's Degree in a related field
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible related work experience
- Experience working in Higher Education and Student Affairs
- Advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Effective project management, organizational, and analytical skills
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of individuals across a decentralized environment, assisting in resolving issues in a manner that demonstrates strategic thinking and conforms to the highest ethical practices while fostering and enhancing a positive working relationship
- Attention to detail and ability to comprehend complex legal matters
- Ability to provide sound advice, exercise good judgment, and make administrative decisions in conformity with existing policies and regulations
- Successful completion of a CORI check
Preferred
- Ten or more years of progressively responsible related work experience
Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.
Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Senior-Director-of-Identity-and-Cultural-Engagement_JR5424
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Amherst College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Amherst College complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Salary : $105,000
