Special Assistant to the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion

Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion (VP) the Special Assistant to the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion serves as a strategic partner and advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion. This role is designed for an innovative and detail-oriented professional who can advance the universitys equity inclusion and opportunity priorities by ensuring effective execution of high-impact initiatives advancing strategic planning efforts and supporting institutional accountability measures. Acting as a bridge between the Vice President University stakeholders and external partners the Special Assistant will provide strategic project management policy alignment and operational oversight. The role supports the implementation of university-wide DEI initiatives oversees strategic reporting processes and ensures integration of OEIOs programs including CSTEP / STEP HEOP and Student Support Services into broader institutional goals.

Essential Functions
Serves as a key advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion providing analysis recommendations and briefings on equity access and inclusion strategies. Partners with university leaders to align OEIO initiatives with the University Strategic Plan and Mission Priority Examen. Drafts executive-level communications reports and presentations for the Vice President senior leadership trustees and external partners. Leads and monitors project timelines deliverables and outcomes for strategic initiatives within OEIO ensuring institutional accountability. Supports policy development and compliance related to federal state and institutional regulations particularly as they pertain to opportunity programs and DEI initiatives. Coordinates strategic plan reporting annual DEI Council deliverables and Board of Trustees Mission and Social Justice Committee activities. Serves as a liaison between OEIO and senior leadership faculty staff students trustees and external partners including government officials and community organizations. Prepares tracks and reconciles annual divisional budgets in collaboration with the Vice President and divisional program directors; monitor financial expenditures and maintain accurate records in accordance with university policies and grantor requirements. Compiles organizes and submits data reports for internal and external stakeholders including for annual reporting accreditation and grant compliance purposes. Collaborates with the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Implementation to manage the institutional portfolio of the universitys strategic plan establish performance-tracking structures and coordinate cross-unit initiatives across administrative and academic sectors. Assists with the logistics scheduling and coordination of divisional events workshops and trainings designed to advance equity inclusion and belonging across the university community. Provides administrative support to the Vice President in connection with the Universitys Council on Equity Belonging and Accessibility including coordinating meeting schedules preparing materials tracking action items and supporting communication with council members.

Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in education leadership business administration or a related discipline. Project Management certification ( PMP CAPM or equivalent). Experience with federally/state-funded opportunity programs ( HEOP TRIO CSTEP / STEP ). Familiarity with Jesuit Catholic higher education and mission-driven work.

Work Environment
Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.