Executive Director of Equity Assurance

INTRODUCTION: 
 
Pending approval of reorganization, this position will transition to the Office of the Vice President for Administration, University of Hawaii, System Offices, and will report directly to the Vice President for Administration. The Equity Assurance Office (EAO) is dedicated to promoting and integrating the principles of equity, diversity, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and inclusion through the creation of a comprehensive, consistent, and centralized approach to prevention and compliance. EAO strives to protect the civil rights of those who study, work, and live within the UH System (10 campuses). This includes the right to an environment free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of the protected categories outlined in federal laws, including Title VII, ADA, Title IX, ADA, VAWA, Clery Act, and related State laws and regulations, including Act 208, Session Laws 2016.

To that end, the EAO oversees the development of systemwide policy and procedures to advance equity, diversity and compliance; establishes systemwide training initiatives and related programs toward prevention and education; provides tools and procedures to ensure consistent compliance across the UH campuses; and gathers, researches and analyzes data system-wide for use in statistical calculations and reporting to assess climate and to meet federal and state requirements, including workforce analysis reports and EEO/AA data.  The EAO is also responsible for delivering the equal opportunity, affirmative action, disability, and Title IX compliance programs for the UH Mānoa Campus and UH System Offices.
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Summary:

The Executive Director (ED) of EAO promotes the University’s commitment to a climate of equity and inclusion by serving as advisor to the Vice President, Mānoa Provost, and collaborating with key internal stakeholders such as the Mānoa Provost Council. The ED also serves as the primary spokesperson with external stakeholders on matters pertaining to equal opportunity, affirmative action, disability, and Title IX compliance programs for the UH Mānoa Campus and UH System Offices.

The ED provides leadership for all aspects of civil rights compliance and advancing equity and inclusion, including recommending, developing, and implementing policies, procedures, and programmatic initiatives addressing Title IX, equal opportunity, and affirmative action, as consistent with relevant state and federal regulations/laws and the institutional values and community standards of the University. The ED also serves as the University’s liaison to community organizations, state and federal agencies, the State Legislature, statewide commissions and advisory bodies, and relevant stakeholders, and responds to external complaints, including formal matters commenced by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide leadership, expertise, direction, and management for all EAO programs and units, including the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, policies, and procedures

Develop strategic initiatives and key stakeholder collaborations and perform University and community outreach towards promoting the University’s commitment to advancing equity and diversity amongst members of the University system and the general public; build effective working relationships and represents the best interests of the University and its senior leadership with internal and external groups and stakeholders including elected officials, law enforcement administrators, community leaders and campus administrators; work collaboratively with the directors and professionals at both system and campus levels in program areas related to broad areas of equity and diversity; oversee agreements, partnerships and relationships with internal and external organizations; oversee consistency in provision of fair and neutral process and practices across the system; and model an effective education.

Manage all aspects of the UH Mānoa and System Offices equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Title IX programs. Advise the President, and as appropriate, the UH Mānoa Provost on implementation and results.

Direct institutional research including climate surveys and workforce analyses on progress and problem areas in achieving affirmative action and broader equity goals. Analyze institutional and national trends and identify areas to strengthen the university’s equity program through education, outreach, and fair and neutral processes. Recommend strategies, programs, and best practices to better achieve these goals.

Responsible for the integrity of the systemwide tracking and reporting system for complaints and investigation findings, which also includes identifying patterns, if any, and directing initiatives and approaches to resolve them and increase awareness and prevention efforts to meet university goals and objectives. Oversee preparation of the annual affirmative action plans, internal audit procedures, studies of personnel actions, and design and implementation of job applicant, employee, and student surveys. Provide technical assistance, training and outreach and educational materials, and policy guidance.

Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Vice President of Administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Law degree or master’s degree in education, business, social sciences or related; and minimum of seven years of experience in:

• Leading Title IX, Equal Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action programs and/or departments in a higher educational institution state or federal agency; or large multi-faceted enterprise, or equivalent organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience; and
• Drafting, interpreting, and implementing policies and procedures.

1. Demonstrated knowledge of current strategies and best practices in equity and compliance programs.
2. Three or more years of professional management experience.
3. Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; advanced writing skills; ability to articulate clearly and concisely to small, large, and diverse audiences.
4. Extensive experience providing training to all levels of employees on laws, policies and procedures.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal and state equal opportunity and non- discrimination laws and regulations, including but not limited to: Title IX of the  Education Amendments of 1972, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (which amends  the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, commonly known as the  Clery Act) (VAWA) under its Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act provision (Campus SaVE Act), Title  VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II, III, IV of the Americans  with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, among other applicable state and federal laws. 
6. Demonstrated effectiveness in developing and implementing training and educational programs which focus on Title IX as well as diversity, non-discrimination, and harassment.
7. Demonstrated advanced level of political and organizational acumen.
8. Experience analyzing proposed, pending, and current legislation and regulations related to equity, civil rights, gender violence, and advising executive leadership, as necessary.
9. Experience managing budgets, including developing budget proposals, justifying expenses and monitoring accounts.
10. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills; ability to investigate, analyze problems, and apply independent judgment on nonstandard issues with a broad administrative impact and implications.
11. Strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills; ability to independently apply judgment and nonstandard applications and systems, solving a wide range of problems, developing practicable and thorough solutions. 
12. Ability to use high-level discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality in handling problems of sensitive nature and security of confidential records. 
13. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the full range of relevant constituents through effective communication and interpersonal skills, organizational awareness, judgment, and discretion, and effectively collaborate with constituencies with different agendas.
14. Demonstrated experience in development of responses to internal constituents and external agencies, such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the State Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, and effectively representing the organization.
15. Demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage competing work priorities and projects, and maintain effective employee relations.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Knowledge of collective bargaining contracts as they relate to EEO/AA and Title IX issues.
2. Experience supervising and evaluating employees in a union environment.
3. Experience addressing complex challenges and analytical assessments, especially with fixed timelines.
4. Ability to work independently and possess self-direction skills to be able to initiate plans, organize, prioritize, multitask, and coordinate work in a fast-paced organization with competing priorities and distractions.

TO APPLY:

Click here or go to: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hawaiiedu/jobs/3555643
Click on the “APPLY” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application.
Candidates must also submit/attach:

1. Cover Letter summarizing the candidate’s interest and qualifications for the position
2. Current Curriculum Vitae/Resume
3. Names of five (5) professional references, including title and contact information

Nominations, inquiries and applications are being accepted for the position.   Continuous recruitment; first review of applications will begin on June 1, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.  For best consideration, applications should be submitted by May 31, 2022.
 
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References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.  A background check will be made prior to employment.
  
INQUIRIES:
System Office of Human Resources, email: systempo@hawaii.edu

The University of Hawaii is an equal opportunity institution and encourages applications from and nominations of women and minority candidates.