Overview
Overview
The director of strategic initiatives for diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist (DEIA) is a professional with a proven track record of facilitating change across a large, networked organization. The director is responsible for evolving and delivering on the vision, goals, and strategy of Ascend’s DEIA initiatives, in collaboration with Ascend’s officer team, managing directors, school directors, and governing boards.
The director of strategic initiatives will lead the end-to-end implementation of Ascend’s DEIA strategic vision by establishing clear evidence-based goals, leading organization-wide strategic initiatives and programs, coaching and developing leaders and staff, and analyzing data to measure progress to ensure we are working to embed DEIA principles and practices into everything we do. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned strategist and project manager to drive cross-functional strategic initiatives to create an organizational culture that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and is actively anti-racist.
Why join Ascend Public Charter Schools?
Ascend is a network of K-12 public charter schools serving 5,500 students across 15 schools in Central Brooklyn. Our mission is to lead our students on a great intellectual journey, providing them with an exceptional education and placing them firmly on the path to success in college and beyond.
We guide our students to think critically and independently and to enjoy learning as an end in itself. We teach a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures students’ natural curiosity about the world. We foster a positive, non-punitive school culture where students feel connected, empowered, and safe to take academic risks. Even our school buildings are designed to reflect our high aspirations for teaching and learning and the notable accomplishments that occur within our walls.
To create this kind of vibrant learning community, we invest heavily in our team members by providing ongoing, best-of-class professional training and support. We encourage them to collaborate closely and push one another to achieve great outcomes.
You can learn more about the Ascend approach by visiting our website.
Responsibilities
The director of strategic initiatives, DEIA will work beside the chief executive officer (CEO) and the executive team to launch a multi-year project plan to embed the DEIA values into all aspects of the Ascend community and our work. The director of strategic initiatives will:
- support the implementation of the organizational five-year strategic plan by developing a multi-year DEIA action plan for the organization, including the associated change management required to embed DEIA into every aspect of Ascend’s work
- provide strategic advice and coaching to leaders to foster DEIA leaders at all levels of the organization
- develop and implement evidence-based tools that support the organizational progress toward the vision and goals of Ascend
- collaborate with internal and external experts to develop and deliver the scope and sequence of DEIA-related professional development to foster DEIA mindsets and skills across all staff
- monitor and report on progress of DEIA goals and initiatives and make adjustments as needed to ensure we are driving change to foster DEIA outcomes
- analyze quantitative and qualitative data to develop recommendations to inform our DEIA goals and strategic priorities
- develop and manage communication plans to inform and engage stakeholders in our work to become a DEIA organization
- coordinate and collaborate with the Equity Advisory Committee and other DEIA working groups to advance ongoing initiatives
- lead the implementation of the DEIA Liaison program, including providing coaching and support to the role across all schools
Reporting Relationships and Team
The director of strategic initiatives, DEIA reports directly to the chief executive officer. Additionally, the director will collaborate closely with other members of the executive and extended leadership team as well as the school leadership teams, teachers, board members, and families.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree preferred
- 7+ years of professional experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, business operations, strategy, or related field; with a preference for work in mission-driven environments
- Experience collaborating with senior leaders and comfort with serving as a thought partner on strategic initiatives
- Proven ability to create and complete complex, enterprise-wide projects according to planned scope and timeline
- Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize data and large bodies of information and transform them into detailed work plans and communication plans
- Collaborative decision-making style, with a proven track record of working effectively with diverse individuals to drive decision-making and results
- Ability to influence a diverse array of stakeholders from parents and community members to school directors and board of directors
- Effective at demonstrating empathy, listening for understanding, and facilitating difficult conversations
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills (written and oral)
Diversity at Ascend
Ascend is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.
Compensation
Ascend offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Please visit www.ascendcharterschools.org/careers to learn more about the benefits of working at Ascend.
Ascend’s Vaccination Policy Statement
To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of staff, students, family members, interns, volunteers, and visitors to Ascend’s premises from COVID-19 infection, Ascend requires all staff to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated for the coronavirus. This policy is mandatory except for staff with a documented medical or religious reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
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