Senior Director, Student Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized/visible minorities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Job Summary

The Senior Director Student Equity Inclusion and Belonging (Senior Director) is an integral part of the senior leadership team in Student Affairs. Reporting to the Assistant Dean Student Affairs and having cross portfolio responsibility the Senior Director leads the development and implementation of proactive Indigenization Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility and Anti-Racist (IEDIAA) initiatives in support of the Division of Student Affairs strategic priorities. This position oversees the operational and strategic development of special projects and initiatives and proactively facilitates conversations among units in Student Affairs engaging diverse communities including faculty staff students and external stakeholders. The Senior Director also leads the Queens University International Centre the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre the Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion the Ban Righ Centre and Faith and Spiritual Life.

The Senior Director has knowledge of the Queens community and works effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders through an equitable and inclusive lens. The Senior Director possesses strategic thinking operational and senior leadership experience that enables the creation implementation and oversight of a wide range of transformational initiatives impacting student experience and campus climate. With a comprehensive understanding of a range of diversity issues the Senior Director contributes to advancing principles and values of Indigenization Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility and Anti-Racism through education training mentorship and dialogue with students and staff.

The Senior Director is a forward-looking senior leader and IEDIAA practitioner with a compelling vision for ensuring that equitable and inclusive principles and values are embedded and reflected in the daily operation of Student Affairs in the pursuit of enriching the student experience supporting our people and transforming our spaces. This is a high profile and emerging position that will enable the incumbent to analyze and identify the structure processes and talent required for success going forward.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Development and Implementation
Develop and lead the Divisions ongoing strategic work to address systemic barriers to inclusion and to create an equitable and inclusive campus environment for students.
Manage the Equity Inclusion and Belonging portfolio of units and provide leadership on the development and execution of the divisions strategy and action plan including strategies to further embed inclusive and equitable practices into planning processes that are sustainable and responsive to change.
Collaborate with the Divisions staff and student leaders to advance IEDIAA in the educational and work environments and act as a senior point of contact and expert resource for all staff with IEDIAA-related responsibilities.
Champion and advance the principles and values of IEDIAA through education training mentorship and dialogue with students staff and other stakeholder groups.
Plan guide and advise the senior executive and senior leadership group on inclusive strategies to implement and monitor programs designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of students and staff.
Design implement and champion change management tools to maximize engagement and buy-in and build organizational commitment to equitable and inclusive initiatives impacting the student experience. Evaluate the existing culture and readiness for change as part of the change management process.
Represent the Division on campus wide committees forums and other campus-based activities relating to programs and participate in student satisfaction and retention activities.
Review policies and practices through an equitable and inclusive lens; identifying systemic barriers and gaps and advise on recommendations for improving practices that eliminate biases and barriers to equity and inclusion.
Serve as an internal expert resource and advisor to staff and student leaders on IEDIAA-related matters.

Strategic Partnerships
Meet regularly with divisional and university leaders to report on the progress of the development of programs and initiatives.
Establish collaborations and partnerships across the university to advance IEDIAA and contribute to driving change toward a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Act as a liaison with the Human Rights and Equity Office and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to provide leadership and analysis on IEDIAA matters including identifying gaps and developing and/or updating policies procedures and programs that remove barriers to equity and ensure greater and equal participation of equity-deserving students
Promote the University and the Divisions commitment to a climate of inclusion through interaction with a broad range of stakeholders.

Human Resources & Financial Management
Direct the financial management of the portfolios budget.
Analyze statistical and financial information to establish the portfolios annual operating budget.
Collaborate with other units on IEDIAA funding opportunities.
Advise and empower staff who are less experienced in leading conversations about equity diversity and inclusion to build capacity confidence and competence.
Plan prioritize and manage the work of employees providing strategic and tactical advice guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources participate on staffing committees and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
Manage performance by establishing performance standards reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
Investigate address and resolve employee/labour relations issues including disciplinary matters. Make decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline discharge and probationary termination.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
A graduate university degree with a focus on equity social justice education or in a related field.
Minimum 10 years progressively responsible leadership experience within a post-secondary environment.
Demonstrated successful experience bringing about positive change and applying principles of equity diversity inclusion and Indigenization to administrative and campus-based projects and initiatives.
Experience designing and delivering educational programs is required with an understanding of complex issues related to IEDIAA as they relate to both the learner experience and the workplace.
In depth knowledge of the practical and theoretical dimensions of anti-oppression critical race theory and equity theory including an understanding of intersections of race religion Indigeneity disability gender and sexual identities socio-economic class and citizenship.
Proven ability to work effectively and independently within a socio-culturally diverse environment.
Must be of a member of a racialized or minority group in Canada.
Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Communication: listens to others and expresses ideas orally and in writing in a professional and effective manner to ensure that complex messages recommendations and impacts are conveyed clearly and credibly. Readily shares information and knowledge with others.
Builds Relationships; develops and maintains relationships with individuals at every level of the university to support and achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Change Management; facilitates the change process by invoking change management principles and practices and recognizing and dealing with resistance to change.
Planning and organizing; establishes a clearly defined course of action to accomplish goals and to organize work efforts in a complex environment with multiple competing demands priorities and deadlines. Allocates time and manages resources effectively ensuring accuracy.
Initiative: demonstrates a continuous commitment to improvement and development and encourages the participation of others by demonstrating the value of appropriate urgency and action.
Strategic Perspective: understands the strategic direction of the organization and unit and uses this information to develop responsibilities tasks goals and Human Resource initiatives that align with long-term plans and growth.
Diversity Management: thorough understanding of issues related to IEDIAA intersectionality and protected grounds as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and other relevant human rights legislation. Understanding of how diversity inclusion and cultural competency prove critical to developing a progressive and equitable workplace.
Leadership: ability to inspire a diverse and high performing team to work towards shared objectives and optimize team effectiveness by engaging diverse perspectives and empowering others.
Client Orientation: fosters a client focused culture assisting to establish service standards and develop strategies and policies to ensure standards are met.
Business Acumen: carries out strategy with a clear understanding of trends and dynamics that affect the university and portfolio. Demonstrates business foresight along with the ability to integrate diverse perspectives.
Decision Making and Judgement: superior judgement tact and political acuity required to address sensitive topics and effectively manage relationships.
Collaboration and Teamwork fosters a culture of cooperation and encourages positive team dynamics to build synergies. Understand and enable diverse viewpoints and approaches to achieve objectives and goals. Gives and receives feedback regarding the impact of behaviour on the group.
Integrity: Recognizes sensitivities and risks using professional ethics to question and challenge issues. Seeks out systematic solutions to problems. Consistently acts with the highest professional standards exercising tact judgement and confidentiality.

DECISION MAKING:
Determine and prioritize the allocation of resources for initiatives in the Equity Inclusion and Belonging portfolio units including budget allocations.
Makes decisions by weighing several factors for complex situations for which there may be incomplete or contradictory information. Involves the correct people in the decision-making process and develops and recommends solutions that balance competing priorities address the root cause of the problem and prevent recurrence.
Assess and mitigate risk through providing appropriate advice training and coaching to management.
Determine the content of correspondence reports and proposals including the development of procedures.
Recommend changes and modifications to policies procedures and guidelines related to IEDIAA.
Determine when and who to involve or consult in unusual situations that may set future precedents.
Make judgments on the application of policies and procedures.
Prioritize time and duties within an environment with multiple competing interests to ensure work is completed within required deadlines.
Decide on nature and content of presentation for training and development sessions.
Decide on the nature and content of agenda topics and background information for meetings.
Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .