Director, Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) 

NeighborWorks America: Working Together For Strong Communities

Purpose of Division

The Office of the General Counsel serves as an executive management office and is primarily responsible for effective internal coordination of corporate efforts, activities and resources to maximize successful pursuit of corporate goals. The office oversees and coordinates the work of the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) effort.

Close Date: Posting closes at 12:01am (EST) on the date listed below (the night before at 11:59pm EST).

Position Summary

The Director, REDI will manage the development and implementation of the Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) work in collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer. The Director oversees the planning, implementation, and performance measurement of specific short- and long-term projects that identify and address racial disparities and other inequities and that imbed equity, diversity and inclusion principles and values in NeighborWorks’ policies, programs and practices. This work includes, but is not limited to, work in partnership with various divisions to develop plans and processes related to REDI to ensure alignment for maximum results. The Director also leads the REDI work with the network of NeighborWorks Organizations (NWOs) by creating opportunities for staff training and development and making available tools and resources that support the network in embedding REDI principles and values within their organization. The Director will assist the Chief Diversity Officer to foster an environment of mutual accountability, analytical thinking and commitment to shared outcomes.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI):

Internal Stakeholders - NeighborWorks Staff:

Works with the Chief Diversity Officer to provide overall direction and management of REDI in order to identify goals, outcomes and strategies that prioritize the use of the REDI framework to advance and support equity, diversity, and inclusion within NeighborWorks and with the NeighborWorks network.

• Works directly with Human Resources, the leadership and staff of NW divisions to develop and implement plans that facilitate the ongoing training and coaching of staff, embed REDI values in the culture of the organization. Supports staff in applying an equity lens in designing, implementing and evaluating programs to achieve fair and equitable outcomes. Engage, train and encourage staff to routinely conduct racial impact analyses in their work using the REDI framework and common language and develop strategies that will address areas of disparities
• Oversees and coordinates the work and development of the NeighborWorks staff equity team
• Oversees and coordinate the work and development of the NeighborWorks REDI facilitator team.
• Leads and/or resources various work groups comprised to identify challenges and develop appropriate solutions to address and reduce racial and social disparities.
• Leads independent research and analysis of issues and topics pertinent to the project and makes recommendations for action when appropriate; track and summarize current industry practices, trends and issues impacting community development and affordable housing, as relevant.
• Provide day-to-day management of the REDI Consultant and works with them to align the organization’s culture, policies and practices with REDI values.
• Oversee the recruitment, training and ongoing development of REDI staff facilitators
• In partnership with the Human Resources Division, provide coaching to key staff and leaders to increase their ability to engage in and support REDI efforts.
• Coordinate the ongoing training of staff including, but not limited to, core REDI framework sessions and supervisor training.
• Prepares and presents key REDI decisions, status updates and strategic advice to OGC, other officers, senior leaders, staff equity team and other internal audiences.
• Establishes a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project.
• Collaborates with Resource Development to seek outside funding to support various aspects of NW’s REDI work.
• Develops processes for ongoing evaluation of various elements of the REDI work with NeighborWorks staff and the network that can be used to improve the delivery of services and resources to the network.

Stakeholders - NeighborWorks Organizations (NWOs):

• Oversees development of programs, processes and resources to support the NeighborWorks network to embed REDI principles and values in their organization’s policies, programs and practices.
• Collects ongoing input from the network in order to determine the most relevant tools and resources necessary to support network staff as they advance REDI work in their organizations.
• Provides coaching and technical assistance to network leadership and staff as required.
• Represents the organization and its leadership in external allied activities

2. Provide reports and presentations to corporate Officers and senior leaders, as requested.

3. Utilizes strong functional leadership, interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example.

4. Lead and/or supervise staff, as well as interns or scholars, as needed. Provide direction, coordination and oversight of consultants supporting program initiative.

5. Other job related duties as assigned

Nature of Work Contacts:
NeighborWorks America Officers, Senior Management and Divisional staff, vendors/consultants, professional staff of local NeighborWorks America organizations, external subject matter experts and practitioners.

Fiscal Responsibilities: None

Required Minimum Qualifications:
(a) Education: Bachelor’s degree in community development or related field. Will consider relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.

(b) Experience: At least two (2) years of demonstrated, practical understanding and application of race, equity, diversity and inclusion principles in an organizational setting. In addition, at least eight (8) years of experience in areas of community development, nonprofit management, or a related field including the design and implementation of new programs, initiatives or strategies, data analysis, secondary research and communicating and presenting program and policy information. Experience in supervising, directly or indirectly, consultants, working groups and staff.

(c) Licenses, Certifications: None specified.

(d) Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Commitment to social and racial justice
• Knowledge of:
  • Racial justice, social equity, community development principles;
  • Racial and cultural differences; an understanding of systemic and institutional racial bias; sensitivity to issues and concerns of communities of color and other diverse groups;
  • Housing and community development history and policy (preferred);
  • Critical issues driving opportunity gaps, poverty and inequality in communities across the country and the corresponding approaches adopted at the local, regional and national level to address these issues.

• Experiences including:
  • Incorporating diverse perspectives in program design and implementation;
  • Strategic planning, program design and project management, including experience designing solutions to serve a diverse membership base or network;
  • Engaging in difficult conversations with individuals and groups around race, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to:
  • Think and act strategically in working collaboratively within and across organizations, while focusing and executing tactically to ensure successful and timely outcomes;
  • Solve complex problems, analyze quantitative and qualitative information, and make recommendations;
  • Manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced team environment paired with the ability to meet critical deadlines, includes managing timelines and coordinating with a diverse group that will include but not be limited to staff, consultants, and advisors from within and outside the NeighborWorks network.
• Excellent oral and written communicator in variety of settings amongst diverse audiences
• Thrives in fast-paced, generative, multiracial work environment
• Diplomacy, self-awareness, humor, and patience
• Presentation, public speaking, in-person and virtual meeting facilitation and hosting skills
• Strong organizational development analysis
• Excellent program management skills
• Proactive, self-directed, and able to multitask effectively

NeighborWorks America Staff are expected to demonstrate excellence in the following:

• Respect for differences whether racial, ethnic, class, sexual orientation, or gender;
• Effective, respectful, and timely communications with supervisors, co-workers, vendors, and others;
• Effective team work and collegiality to ensure the timely, strategic, and successful completion of work;
• Listens effectively, seeks and accepts feedback, and recognizes the importance of stretching oneself, learning, and growing;
• Is an analytic, thoughtful and strategic thinker, considering the mission, objectives, work plans, and goals of NW's work and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of her/his/their decisions and behavior on the organization;
• Seeks out advice, counsel, and permission appropriately, but is not afraid to act when it is required to be effective.

(e) Technology: Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s Degree preferred

Working Conditions:
(a) Travel: Up to thirty percent (30%)
(b) Physical/Sensory Demands: Fast paced working environment, extensive computer usage

Special Provisions:
Occasional work outside of normal business hours, such as weekends and evenings required

To search for an open position, please go to http://NeighborWorksAmerica.appone.com