University of Rochester - Rochester, NY
posted 3 months ago
The Executive Director for Communications and Relationship Management serves as the primary liaison between the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) and various stakeholders within and outside the University. This role is pivotal in addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) matters, ensuring that the needs of students, staff, visitors, volunteers, and faculty are understood and met. The Executive Director will work closely with the Vice President to navigate the complexities of DEIJ initiatives and foster a culture of inclusion across the University. In the realm of relationship management, the Executive Director will maintain positive relationships with Deans and leaders throughout the University, ensuring a bidirectional flow of information regarding DEIJ. This includes proactively identifying DEIJ-related needs and challenges, advocating for these concerns within the OEI Senior Leadership Group, and facilitating collaborations among DEIJ-focused individuals across the institution. The role also involves offering consultation on emerging DEIJ topics and building connections with both internal and external stakeholders, including the office of the President, Provost, and other campus units. Engagement management is another critical aspect of this position. The Executive Director will host events to promote cross-disciplinary DEIJ efforts, manage Vice-Presidential engagements, and ensure that all OEI events are well-staffed and positively received by guest speakers. Regular visits to all campus locations will be necessary to foster new connections and stay informed about the day-to-day functioning of the University. As a leader, the Executive Director will serve on the VP/CDO's Leadership team, acting as a thought leader on DEIJ matters and assisting in decision-making processes. This role requires visibility and accessibility across all relevant university campuses, representing the Office of Equity and Inclusion at various events and providing a positive first experience for community members unfamiliar with the office. In terms of recruitment and retention, the Executive Director will collaborate with UR leaders and the talent acquisition office to advance the institution's commitment to a diverse workforce. This includes promoting and monitoring progress in the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students from diverse populations. The Executive Director will also develop and implement cohesive communication strategies to drive OEI's mission, ensuring message consistency across various channels. This includes preparing reports, briefings, and speeches for the VP/CDO, as well as establishing effective communication channels to share DEIJ-related successes with the Rochester community. Finally, the Executive Director will manage staff, providing supervision, training, and performance reviews for assigned personnel, while also fulfilling other duties as assigned.