Alexandria, VA based Association is looking for a Senior Director, Culture and Belonging
Hours/Schedule: FT Flex
Job Type: Contract to Hire
Location Requirements: Remote or Hybrid
Rate: $125,000 salary with excellent benefits
Job Description:
Seeking a highly experienced and strategic individual to join our team as the Sr. Director, Culture and Belonging. This is a new and pivotal role to focus on transforming our organizational culture and create and implement a DEI strategic plan aligned with our overall strategy. A primary focus will be enhancing our volunteer leaders’ DEI capabilities while effectively liaising with a diverse range of external stakeholders, from C-suite executives to operators, academics, and engineers. The role will report to the Executive Director and have regular interactions with the Board of Trustees and other Senior staff. This role is externally focused.
The Association has already made strides towards creating a more diverse and inclusive culture and is looking to build on that momentum by hiring an individual with the strategic understanding and experience to optimize volunteer initiatives, broaden member awareness and provide continuity across our many stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
Since this is a new position, expectations will be incremental in nature. Within the first 12 to 18 months, the position will be responsible for, and evaluated on, establishing stakeholder relationships, creating a strategic implementation plan, and improving communications regarding new DEI initiatives and metrics. High priority items are indicated with an asterisk (*).
DEI Strategy and Leadership
- Primary DEI strategy staff liaison for the Young Professionals Chair and Vice-Chair.*
- Provide point-in-time individual DEI coaching and guidance to Board of Directors (BOT), senior staff, or volunteers.*
- Provide expert guidance and support to volunteers and staff in implementing DEI best practices, identifying, and addressing barriers, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
- Support House of Delegates (HOD) and Community Leadership Council (CLC) leadership in volunteer succession-planning activities.
- Act as sounding board for Managing Director of HR for internal DEI matters.
Management and Measurement
- Produce brief monthly progress report to bring widespread awareness of recent DEI initiatives, provide insights for Board visits and management action and allow for re-prioritization as needed (this will be input to the monthly BOT Backgrounder).*
- Produce annual DEI Scorecard and resulting action plan in partnership with DEI Community.*
- Monitor and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of DEI initiatives, using data-driven metrics and feedback mechanisms to drive continuous improvement.
- Commission/Produce a report every three years, assessing qualitative cultural dimensions to inform ongoing action plans.
Learning and Development
- Maintain a DEI resource repository for volunteers and source new materials as requested.*
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design and source DEI training programs, workshops, and resources that enable volunteers to provide inclusive and equitable experiences for our members.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging research, and legislation related to the workforce, and proactively integrate relevant insights into programs and initiatives.
Partnerships (year 2-3 onwards, as role develops)
- Forge strategic partnerships with external organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders to promote diversity and inclusion initiatives within the sector.
- Act as a liaison between our association and external stakeholders, including other associations, utilities, and colleges, to foster meaningful collaborations and advance DEI objectives.
Qualifications:
Experience
- 15+ years’ work experience with at least 5 years leading and implementing DE&I and change initiatives at scale, preferably in an influence model.
- Proven track record of successfully implementing DEI strategies at scale, that led to more inclusive and diverse cultures and organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in leading change management initiatives and effectively influencing stakeholders at various levels of an organization.
- Proven ability to create and manage organizational DEI metrics; proficiency in data analysis and metrics-driven decision-making to measure organizational impact.
- Must have experience in cultural competency skills development, allyship across different demographics and successfully initiating and leading uncomfortable and challenging conversations.
- Must have experience managing DEI issues with integrity and sensitivity, to model approaches and build capability in others.
- Strong knowledge of DEI best practices and trends with the ability to apply them in a practical and strategic manner.
- Strong preference for individuals with prior environmental sector or engineering experience.
Personal Qualities/Skills
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
- Highly collaborative, thrives in an influence model.
- Ability to predict and navigate resistance or opposition to DEI initiatives with grace, maintaining a diplomatic and professional approach.
- Passion for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the industry.
- Preference for proficiency in Spanish.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 such as PowerPoint, Excel and Forms, Teams, and SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the year (6-10 trips, including potential for periodic international travel).
FlexProfessionals respects and seeks to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences of its candidate network. FlexProfessionals does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. The candidates whose resumes are shared with our business clients are selected on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
