Director, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Department: Law Student Services
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Target hiring range for this position will be between be $87,899 to $109,874 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law seeks to foster a diverse and inclusive Law School community that supports the diversity of its student body, staff, faculty, and alumni, while also maintaining an intellectually rigorous environment in which diverse viewpoints are explored, shared, and debated. In addition, the Office of DEI provides support and guidance for students, staff, faculty, and alumni with identities that are historically underrepresented in law schools and in the legal profession.

The Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion has primary responsibility for supporting the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in advancing the strategic goals of the Office of DEI. Among other responsibilities, the Director will collaborate with student affinity organizations in the development and execution of programming, establish and build relationships with internal and external partners, develop pipeline programs for prospective students, develop programming and initiatives for current students, staff, and faculty aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the law school environment, counsel students with respect to personal, academic, and career-related challenges, conduct diversity & inclusion trainings, participate in student recruitment initiatives, manage fellowship programs for current students, lead programming designed for admitted and incoming students, and engage in strategic planning.

Please note: This is a hybrid position (3 days in the office/2 days remote) and requires the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in developing and refining a strategic plan for the Office of DEI
• Evaluate efficacy of programming/processes and recommend process improvements and programmatic changes
• Assist with management of quarterly and annual budget processes, reconciliation of discrepancies, and tracking of financial transactions

Strategic Initiatives

• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion on the development and delivery of programming and trainings for incoming, admitted, and current students focused on issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Assist with management of the Office of DEI's student fellowship programs, including the application process, selection process, orientation, and supervision of fellows
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, as well as other law school departments and external partners, on the development and delivery of strategic pipeline initiatives for prospective students
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Human Resources Department, and staff organizations on the development and execution of programming for staff focused on issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Advising/Counseling

• Advise the Law School's student affinity organizations
• Manage the Office of DEI's co-sponsorship process and religious accommodations gift card program
• Serve as an advisor to individual students on personal issues, curricular and educational decisions, academic progress and performance, and career objectives
• Liaise with the Law School's alumni affinity groups

Communication & Outreach

• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships
• Develop and cultivate relationships with internal and external partners
• Liaise with other Law School departments with respect to issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Oversee design and maintenance of Office of DEI's website

Supervision

• Ensure regular communication with supervisor regarding status of programs, events, and initiatives

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in higher education or other relevant discipline.
• Evidence of success working in the law school setting, including experience developing and executing innovative and high-quality programming.
• 5 years of legal, higher education, or comparable experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity within the legal profession and knowledge of current DEI trends.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong interpersonal relationship with students, staff, faculty, alumni, legal professionals, and the public
• Proven ability to exercise initiative and judgment in coordinating and executing various programs to serve the best interest of all relevant constituencies
• Must be self-directed and willing to identify and assume new responsibilities as the needs of the Law School change and grow
• Must be willing to travel and, when necessary, work a flexible schedule (evening and weekend events are sometimes necessary).
• Strong computer skills, including word processing and spreadsheet applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• J.D.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Strong organizational and project/program management skills
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and complete complex tasks
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience advising law students or other students at the graduate level
• Experience working with individuals from underrepresented, minoritized, and/or marginalized backgrounds
• Experience developing and implementing programs and initiatives focused on issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Proven conflict management/resolution ability and active listening skills
• Sound judgment and proactive approach to identifying potential problems/discrepancies and working to find solutions
• Efficient time management
• High degree of comfort working with a wide variety of competing constituencies
• Familiarity with affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, Title IX, Title VI, and civil rights laws and regulations

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.