Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial socioeconomic and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement position. The Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagementis a fulltime yearround position starting at $105000 per year commensurate with experience. Given Amhersts distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

Under the leadership of the Associate Dean of Students for Equity and Engagement and the Chief Student Affairs Officer & Dean of Students the Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement is responsible for the coordination implementation and enhancement of the Colleges ongoing Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within Student Affairs.

The Senior Director provides strategic guidance to various departments and areas on campus to advance inclusive practices and equitable solutions. In addition to daily supervision and advising the Senior Director will oversee the strategic direction of related events and programs including developing and implementing policies and practices that support an inclusive environment on campus for all students. This role includes direct oversight of the Office of Identity and Cultural Resources which include direct supervision of the Womens & Gender Center (WGC) Queer Resource Center (QRC) Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) Center for International Student Engagement (CISE) Class and Access Resource Center (CARC) and Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) and other OICR professional staff. The Senior Director will set priorities and manage projects to improve the effectiveness and reach of these centers. For example this may involve coordinating efforts to enhance student engagement across these centers or leading initiatives like dialogic conversations trainings and workshops. The Senior Director will serve as a key liaison with various campus offices to facilitate improvements in DEI policies and practices.

A crucial aspect of the Senior Directors role is to raise campus awareness about the importance of DEI promote a culture of inclusivity and address systemic barriers. The Senior Director will also support efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce and student body and contribute to creating a respectful inclusive and welcoming campus environment.

The Senior Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement is required to work in person occasionally late nights and weekends as needed.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Institutional Strategic Direction

• Collaborates with College administrators faculty staff and students in developing coordinating and implementing Collegewide strategies to enhance diversity equity and inclusion

• Collaborates with the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Student Affairs to align strategic initiatives with the Colleges ongoing emphasis on diversity and inclusion

• Assesses and addresses diversity equity and inclusion issues across various areas of service and proposes solutions. Facilitates coordination and communication among different College offices to ensure compliance with DEI standards. Identifies opportunities to enhance information flows and promote equitable access for all individuals

• In collaboration with a broad range of members of the campus community works to promote cultural transformation relevant to researchbased and evidencebased practices as well as cultural initiatives emerging from the diverse community

Supervision and Strategic Direction of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Services

• Supervises and advises about 48 professional staff

• Provides strategic direction to Office of Identity and Cultural Resource (OICR) Staff

• Serves as a subject matter expert on applicable committees/working groups within Student Affairs (including but not limited to Student Affairs Operations Team Student Affairs Leadership Team Care Team Class Dean Meetings Division Meetings etc. and advises individuals across the division on matters related to diversity equity and inclusion by providing support and practical insights

• Advise the Directors of OICR to facilitate a robust studentcentered philosophy within OICR

• Lead the Directors of OICR to work with the team in identifying and implementing short and longrange goals and objectives for the department in coordination with those identified for Student Affairs and the College

• Coordinate with the Directors of OICR about College policies and procedures (including drafting new and updating current policies and practices as needed) related to students from all backgrounds

• Advise the Directors of OICR when assisting faculty and campus partners in the planning designing and implementing programs events workshops etc.

Advising

• Serves as a subject matter expert on applicable working groups and advises individuals across the College on matters related to Diversity Equity and Inclusion by providing technical and practical insights

Training Awareness and Outreach

• Prepares and delivers (and coordinates resources for outside speakers to provide) presentations educational programs written materials and professional development activities related to diversity equity and inclusion topics with the intention of reducing systemic barriers and promoting education and awareness as well as inclusive policies and practices

Professional Development

• Maintains professional knowledge and skills

• Seeks opportunities for selfimprovement and/or professional development to remain uptodate with the latest research national trends in the field and current best practices

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in a related field

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible related work experience

• Experience working in Higher Education and Student Affairs

• Advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of Diversity Equity and Inclusion

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Effective project management organizational and analytical skills

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of individuals across a decentralized environment assisting in resolving issues in a manner that demonstrates strategic thinking and conforms to the highest ethical practices while fostering and enhancing a positive working relationship

• Attention to detail and ability to comprehend complex legal matters

• Ability to provide sound advice exercise good judgment and make administrative decisions in conformity with existing policies and regulations

• Successful completion of a CORI check

Preferred

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible related work experience

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development continued learning and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.