Director of Racial Equity
Portland, OR
Full Time
Experienced
Salary: $99,625 - $129,500
Reports to: President and CEO
Status: Regular, Full time Exempt
United Way Equity Definition
We recognize that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities in our region. We must focus our work on the most marginalized groups, and we know that centering race and ethnicity is critical to ending the historical and social inequities that continue to exist in our region.
Purpose of this Role
The Director of Racial Equity is responsible for leading the organization's efforts to develop and implement policies, practices, and strategies that foster an inclusive and equitable environment. This position will ensure that racial equity is embedded in the organization’s culture, practices, programming, and outreach, supporting marginalized communities and addressing systemic disparities. The role will involve working across departments to drive organizational change and build a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
As a leader for UWCW this position will serve as the thought-leader, strategist, and subject matter expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Director of Racial Equity reports directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works with the Leadership Team, People and Culture Business Partner (HR), and Board of Directors to ensure the further cultivation and development of a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for the Board and organization. The Director of Racial Equity will serve as the liaison to individuals and organizations that are engaged in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion both inside and outside of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) including staff, Board, and United Way Worldwide. This person is also responsible for being a resource and liaison to the organization’s Equity Action Team (EAT) with the possibility of co-chairing and/or assisting with other affinity groups, assisting departments in establishing and achieving their diversity and inclusion objectives, UWCW compliance with United Way Worldwide (UWW) equity membership requirements, and leading the development of DEI policies associated with suppliers, vendors, and partners.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership and Organizational PlanningSupervisory Direction Received:
Position works under the general direction of the President and CEO and in partnership with the People and Culture Business Partner.
United Way staff, Board, volunteers, community representatives and partners, external vendors, EAT, and United Way Worldwide.
Supervises:
Reports to: President and CEO
Status: Regular, Full time Exempt
United Way Equity Definition
We recognize that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities in our region. We must focus our work on the most marginalized groups, and we know that centering race and ethnicity is critical to ending the historical and social inequities that continue to exist in our region.
Purpose of this Role
The Director of Racial Equity is responsible for leading the organization's efforts to develop and implement policies, practices, and strategies that foster an inclusive and equitable environment. This position will ensure that racial equity is embedded in the organization’s culture, practices, programming, and outreach, supporting marginalized communities and addressing systemic disparities. The role will involve working across departments to drive organizational change and build a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
As a leader for UWCW this position will serve as the thought-leader, strategist, and subject matter expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Director of Racial Equity reports directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works with the Leadership Team, People and Culture Business Partner (HR), and Board of Directors to ensure the further cultivation and development of a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for the Board and organization. The Director of Racial Equity will serve as the liaison to individuals and organizations that are engaged in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion both inside and outside of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) including staff, Board, and United Way Worldwide. This person is also responsible for being a resource and liaison to the organization’s Equity Action Team (EAT) with the possibility of co-chairing and/or assisting with other affinity groups, assisting departments in establishing and achieving their diversity and inclusion objectives, UWCW compliance with United Way Worldwide (UWW) equity membership requirements, and leading the development of DEI policies associated with suppliers, vendors, and partners.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Planning
- In collaboration with EAT and Senior Management Team, lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive racial equity plan for the organization aligned with UWCW’s strategic priorities and goals.
- Collaborate with leadership and staff to set goals, policies, and procedures that prioritize racial equity. Review programs, initiatives, and partnerships to ensure they align with racial equity goals.
- Assist in developing and implementing strategies to track, monitor, and evaluate institutional-wide progress in creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Develop tools and metrics to measure the effectiveness of racial equity initiatives.
- Lead, guide, and implement EAT strategies, ensuring the President and CEO and other senior staff members are involved appropriately and strategically.
Education, Training, and Awareness-Building
- Design and deliver workshops, presentations, educational materials, heritage month celebrations, and training for staff and Board on racial equity, implicit bias, and anti-racism, including working with outside consultants.
- Serve as a resource to leadership and staff, providing advice and consultation on racial equity matters.
- Conduct internal audits to assess organizational culture, policies, and practices in terms of racial equity.
Community Engagement and Culture Building
- Build and maintain relationships with diverse communities, community organizations, and stakeholders to ensure the organization is responsive to the needs of marginalized groups.
- Represent the organization at community events and forums that focus on racial equity.
- Discover and implement new ways to maintain, enhance, and develop a culture based on UWCW’s core values.
- Convene and lead work groups as necessary to plan key organizational events that enhance culture, strengthen relationships, and build morale.
Human Resources and Policy Alignment
- Work with People and Culture Business Partner and leadership to develop and implement equitable hiring, retention, and promotion practices.
- Ensure that organizational policies promote fairness, inclusion, and respect for all employees, particularly people of color.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legal standards and anti-discrimination laws.
- Be familiar with UWW HR and equity policies and resources.
Additional Competencies and Required Skills
- A dynamic leader who is a nimble and quantitative thinker with a record of achieving results individually and through others.
- Ability to manage expectations of internal team members effectively and a strong desired and aptitude to be part of a team environment.
- Advanced knowledge of proven principles and best practices relating to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
- Ability to take initiative and be creative in thinking and solutions.
- Ability to design/articulate a business case for new initiatives and processes.
- Cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse issues.
- Ability to work in independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Commitment to social justice, racial equity, and advocacy for marginalized communities.
- Strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving skills and execute a plan.
- Strong presentation/communication skills with an ability to research and analyze various types of data information.
- The ability to analyze systems and situations and make recommendations to effectively resolve problems or issues by using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulations, or governing law.
- Some understanding and education on the racial history of Oregon and southwest Washington.
Position works under the general direction of the President and CEO and in partnership with the People and Culture Business Partner.
- Must plan and manage own work and assign work to others to accomplish objectives. Objectives and their accomplishment are subjects to review by the President and CEO.
United Way staff, Board, volunteers, community representatives and partners, external vendors, EAT, and United Way Worldwide.
Supervises:
- No direct supervision
Education, Skills, Experience, and Training Required for this Position
- Bachelor’s degree in social justice, public administration, human resources, sociology, or related field. A master’s degree or additional certifications in DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) work is a plus or combination of relevant education and experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion work, preferably in a non-profit setting.
- Experience informing and executing an organization’s equity plan.
- Demonstrated experience in DEI best-practices and HR laws/practices.
- Experience in change management and deep culture change work.
- Deep understanding of systemic racism, social justice issues, and anti-racist practices. Experience in organizational change management is an advantage.
- Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to lead conversations around sensitive and complex topics.
- Proven ability to build relationships with diverse communities and engage in difficult conversations.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across different teams.
- Strong project management, research, and analytical skills.
Technical Knowledge
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook.
- Expertise with creating content and posting to social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
- Expertise in web and social analytics tools (Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, etc.).
- Competent in the use of Adobe Creative Suite, social media design tools such as Canva, Visual.ly etc.
- All work for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is currently mostly remote with some in-office requirements.
- Work is primarily performed indoors, within an open office setting with a moderate noise level and occasional exposure to scents.
- Frequently required to sit/stand at computer in a stationery position.
- Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine.
- Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc.
- Occasionally required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office and in-door settings.
- Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as copy machine, printer, phone, and fax machine.
- Frequently required to move about inside the office for meetings, access to information, office equipment, etc.
- Occasionally required to travel locally for meetings that occur in other office and in-door settings
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.
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