POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion (VC), the Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) has the primary responsibilities of formulating and implementing a strategic plan for enhancing DEI across the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) system and developing metrics to assess the plan’s impact on the environment. They will provide guidance on empirically supported best practices to enhance the recruitment, retention and advancement of students, staff, trainees, and faculty from historically underrepresented groups in medicine (URiM) and developing professional development opportunities to foster a more structurally competent and equitable UMMS community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Brings leadership, vision, integrity, inclusiveness, energy and a team-oriented philosophy to the overall diversity effort of UMMS.
• Leads preparation of the Affirmative Action Response Plan.
• Provide guidance on federal and foundation grant proposals which DIO is asked to serve as the point of contact for diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Compile information on campus and national programs and initiatives that support underrepresented students, faculty and staff.
• Partner with colleagues to foster synergy and collaboration among underrepresented groups (faculty, staff and students) to build and maintain a sense of community
• Participates in senior leadership discussions regarding institutional policy and program initiatives, offers insight and advice on diversity, cultural transformation and inclusion.
• Collaborates with HR in responding to incidents related to bias, discrimination, and harassment, and in identifying appropriate interventions.
• Serves as an advocate, mentor, resource and support to students, faculty and staff from URiM groups.
• Provides educational and consultative services to Learning Community Mentors.
• Facilitate and coach faculty development for DCS-1 facilitators and School of Medicine house mentors in the areas of cultural competence, cultural humility, team development and leadership development in students.
• Facilitator of Mentoring Circles for Medical, Nursing and PhD students.Leads development and updates of DIO knowledge bases such as Diversity Resource/Tool Kit
• Collaborates with UMMS’ Human Resources on the design and execution of DEI related training and educational offerings.
• Using the Diversity Engagement Survey, Affirmative Action Plan, and Compensation Equity Analysis determines action items and outcome measures to be included in the Institutional Diversity Plan.
• Works collaboratively with Office of Faculty Affairs and Human Resources to maintain effective and equitable processes for resolution of workplace issues, particularly those with diversity or civility components.
• Represent UMMS commitment to diversity and inclusion internally and externally with academic institutions, non-profits, community agencies and schools.
• Regularly assesses effectiveness of UMMS’s diversity efforts and makes appropriate adjustments to lead an effort that is continuously proactive and responsive to the system’s needs.
• Collaborates with departments to develop DEI action and accountability plans.
• Works collaboratively with Office of Health Equity and Faculty Affairs to develop policies and practices for the recruitment, retention and advancement of URiM and marginalized faculty.
• Leads designs and manages inclusion program evaluations.
• Manages tracking data for reporting for system-wide surveys.
• Organizes and analyzes data from Committee on Equal Opportunity and Diversity (CEOD) and CEOD subcommittees.
• Oversees protected class-related work/life efforts for UMMS and work/life initiatives including Mindfulness initiatives, the onsite Daycare center and Mother’s Rooms.
• Collaborates on the development and operation of diversity training programs.
• Supports the development of strategies to support UMMS goals and objectives with emphasis on designing, implementing, and measuring change, building leadership capacity, improving employee engagement, fostering involvement in decision making, creating transparency, improving work processes, building effective learning systems and staff development.
• Develops metrics for measuring the impact of diversity and institutional learning and development efforts and makes appropriate adjustments to lead an effort that is responsive to objectives of organization.
• In concert with diversity and human resources colleagues and organizational leadership, develops and executes new strategies, programs, and goals having organization-wide impact. Continually develop new models and ideas for contributing to organizational success.
• In consultation with VC, develops and monitors budgets for the areas managed. Manages activities to assure financial goals are met.
• Provides direction, guidance and leadership with staff for effective teamwork and motivation emphasizing quality seamless support and consultation.
• Leads and/or participates in performance improvement initiatives and the diversity initiatives.
• Acts as a unifying force for employee engagement and inclusion across the system.
• Provides expertise in the development of effective practices to recruit and retain students, faculty, trainees, staff and senior administrators from URiM groups, as well as provides guidance to faculty on culturally competent curriculum development and teaching
• Perform similar or related duties as required or directed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MA in Education, Organizational Development or related field
• 10 years of progressively broad success in administrative leadership capacity, in diversity and/or human resources
• Proven effectiveness and expertise in diversity and change management
• Requires understanding of principles, theory and practices, technology and laws impacting organizational development and change management
• Prior experience in the development and implementation of effective diversity strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills; creative, self-motivated and well organized; excellent problem solving, mediation and conflict resolution skills; excellent relationship building skills/ability to develop and sustain effective collaborations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of diversity regulatory and statutory compliance obligations
• Strong business acumen
• Strong appreciation for and demonstration of confidentiality
• Excellent skills and experience in mediations and conducting investigations
• Team player oriented to collaborative problem solving to draw out other’s views in ways that lead to enriched business decisions
• Proven management skills, particularly in the areas of talent deployment, professional development, retention, and diversity management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Organizational Development, Human Resources or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to manage both big picture and operational details
• Demonstrated understanding and application of diversity trends in the legal and social aspects of diversity
• Understanding and experience of complex organizational culture preferably in academic medical centers or higher education
• Grant writing experience or active participation in grant sponsored initiatives