Reporting to the head of school, the head of diversity, equity, and inclusion (head of DEI) is a member of the senior administrative team and a partner and thought leader who will help strengthen and advance Emma Willard School’s values of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice. This senior leader serves as the staff liaison to the DEI committee of the board of trustees; leads the school’s DEI council; and collaborates with the school community to enhance the coordination of current cultural and educational programs that increase awareness, appreciation, and engagement for diversity, equity, and inclusion for students, faculty, staff, and alumnae. The successful candidate will join a network of energized stakeholders across the school community to support and claim shared ownership in this effort. As such, it will be critical for the head of DEI not to take on the mantle of driving change alone.
The head of DEI provides strategic and operational leadership for the office of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including direct supervision of the associate director of DEI. In partnership with the associate director, they will ensure the implementation of ongoing programming that engages and educates students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumnae. A key priority for the next head of DEI will be the development of institutional accountability metrics to assess Emma Willard’s priorities for DEI and maintaining regular communication with the larger community about the school’s progress to that end.
Qualifications
An earned master’s degree is preferred, though outstanding candidates with a bachelor’s degree and substantial experience will be considered. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished strategist, convener, and community builder with a documented history of success in leading organizational initiatives on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice, as well as a track record of successful collaborations with students, faculty, staff, and families that have resulted in substantive systemic change.
The search committee is particularly interested in candidates who have experience with facilitating restorative practices; exhibit readiness to serve on a senior leadership team; and are adept at fostering dialogue with multiple constituencies, building coalitions, and achieving results through influence and collaboration.
Application and Nomination
Emma Willard School has retained the services of Spelman Johnson, a leading national executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin Monday, January 22, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Michel R. Frendian, senior consultant, at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
The anticipated hiring salary range for the head of diversity, equity, and inclusion is $115,000-$125,000, commensurate with education and experience. The position is eligible for Emma Willards’ generous benefits package, including housing on campus.
Emma Willard School requires employees to be fully vaccinated, with the exception of medical exemptions.
Steppingstone prepares students from marginalized communities to access, navigate, and graduate from college through two initiatives, the Steppingstone Scholars Program and the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA). The Steppingstone Scholars Program is a direct-service program in Boston that provides academic, social-emotional, and college-readiness services to students, called Scholars, beginning as early as fifth grade and continuing all the way through college graduation. The Steppingstone Scholars Program consists of five components: Admissions, the Academy, Middle School Success, High School Success, and College Success. NPEA connects the people, practices, and innovations for eliminating barriers to educational access, and college and career success for underserved students.