• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $200,000 - $250,000

Position Summary

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) will serve as chief architect of CUFO???s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy. Reporting to the Executive Vice President for University Facilities and Operations, and serving as a member of the executive team, the CDO will provide both high-level strategic vision, pragmatic expert counsel, and effective strategy execution with the goal of ensuring that CUFO lives out its stated commitment to further diversify all levels of its staff and create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.

This inaugural CDO will work collaboratively with senior leaders, department heads, and other stakeholders to create CUFO???s DEI strategic framework from the ground up. The CDO will lead efforts to conceptualize, implement, and evaluate initiatives, policies, programs, and events that advance DEI across the organization; create sustainable structures that both educate and promote DEI as core values and strategic commitments; strengthen the employee experience and improve workplace climate across all departments; establish systems of accountability and evaluation; and partner with CUFO???s Equity and Inclusion Council and leaders across Columbia to share best practices, coordinate efforts, and guide CUFO toward a more inclusive future. The CDO will be supported by the human, financial, and technological resources needed to ensure a successful start-up and delivery of desired outcomes.

Responsibilities

High Level responsibilities include but not limited to:

• As lead Diversity Officer, working closely with senior leadership, strategize and execute the overall direction of DEI at CUFO in alignment with the organization???s goals and values. Develop and evaluate DEI initiatives and activities and ensure the comprehensive ongoing assessments of such initiatives. Advise on activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Work to develop, implement, manage, and continuously improve or enhance internal policies and procedures, with emphasis on creating access to opportunities for all CUFO employees.

• Develop and help oversee diversity programs, initiatives, and related activities. These may be related to staff engagement, workshops, and other emerging diversity-related initiatives. Strategically work with employee groups to collect feedback and take action to ensure a culture of inclusion and belonging at CUFO for all employees. 

• Other related duties and special projects, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate and visionary administrator whose track record of designing, developing, and implementing successful initiatives in mission-driven organizations has prepared them to lead CUFO???s efforts to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

• CUFO also welcomes candidates with relevant experience in other settings whose intellectual vitality, collegiality, transferable skills, and proven effectiveness in complex environments indicate a capacity to serve CUFO well as its inaugural chief diversity officer.

  Minimum requirements include a bachelor???s degree and eight years of senior management experience.

• The ideal candidate will bring a deep personal and professional commitment to DEI, an excellent command of DEI issues and best practices, proven ability to serve as a thought leader and strategist, and interest in working in a start-up phase.

• They will also demonstrate the ability to lead change and facilitate dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders; expertise in the areas of strategic planning, assessment, and evidence-based decision making; superb listening and influencing skills.

• Ability to cultivate and sustain trust and credibility with colleagues; experience working with employees at all levels in a unionized environment; and the emotional intelligence, gravitas, and resilience to thrive in a complex and geographically dispersed organization.

• Application and Nomination

  Columbia University has retained Spelman Johnson to assist with this search. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received by August 18, 2023. A resume with a cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the online position specification may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions.

  Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

  Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Jim Norfleet, Practice Leader and Senior Consultant, at jmn@spelmanjohnson.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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