Executive Director, Equal Opportunity and Access

Position Summary

Reporting to the President of the University, the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) is the senior administrator with responsibility for Oregon State University’s equal opportunity, civil rights, Title IX, anti-bullying, retaliation and affirmative action efforts. The Executive Director provides the strategic vision and leadership over these compliance areas for the University, which supports the University’s dedication to creating an equitable experience for the university community. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access leads compliance efforts for Title IX, Title VII, Section 504, anti-retaliation laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as all other related federal, state and local laws and regulations. With a team of 13 employees, EOA is responsible for responding to reports of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and bullying, providing reasonable disability and religious accommodations, developing and implementing affirmative action plans, reviewing and approving waivers and exceptions to the search process, and providing awareness and educational training programs over these civil rights compliance areas. This work is accomplished in close collaboration with senior administrators and academic officers, including those from athletics, human resources, faculty affairs, student affairs, institutional diversity, general counsel, and compliance.

The EOA Executive Director also works closely with the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, who leads the Office of Institutional Diversity and focuses on proactive and strategic institutional change actions and initiatives to advance diversity, equity and inclusion across the University.

Decision Making/Guidelines

The Executive Director will provide strategic planning, integration, and coordination between programs, policies, and activities of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) and will provide leadership to the EOA. The Executive Director will manage and oversee all administrative functions and operations of the EOA.

  • Deep knowledge, skills, and commitment to supporting a culture of institutional courage, inclusion, and respect
  • Strong leadership, collaborative, interpersonal and communication skills across the entire university community, including the president, board of trustees, senior leaders, supervisors, employees and students
  • Critical thinking and assessment of risk to understand and develop systems that comply with complex local, state, and federal rules and regulations
  • The ability and willingness to escalate concerns about issues to the highest levels of the university
  • Strong managerial skills to successfully motivate and manage professionals conducting sensitive, emotional, high profile and high-risk work

Position Duties

50% - University-wide Leadership

  • Provide vision, leadership, and strategy for equal opportunity, civil rights (including Title IX, Title VII, ADA and more), anti-bullying and affirmative action efforts across the University
  • Work collaboratively with, and provide advising and leadership to, academic and administrative leadership to create and enact an integrated vision for the University’s equal opportunity, civil rights, and affirmative action efforts
  • Provide oversight, coordination, and assessment of programs and policies that support equal opportunity, civil rights, and affirmative action
  • Coordinate and collaborate with others, and provide support for campus initiatives, to promote and improve equal opportunity, civil rights, and affirmative action efforts throughout the University
  • Oversee federal and state compliance in all areas related to equal opportunity, affirmative action, and accessibility. Serve as the University’s Title IX Coordinator, and as the University’s ADA Coordinator
  • Ensure appropriate training and educational programs on topics related to equal opportunity, civil rights, Title IX and affirmative action efforts are developed and delivered to the university community

35% - Unit Leadership/Supervision

  • Structure and oversee the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access to ensure that it addresses the University’s priorities to promote and improve equal opportunity and accessibility across the University and to achieve measurable outcomes in key functional areas
  • Lead EOA in creating and managing an integrated agenda to address the annual goals, obligations, programs, and initiatives related to equal opportunity, affirmative action, and accessibility at the University
  • Supervise the planning and implementation of training and education programs on equal opportunity and accessibility
  • Hire and supervise EOA employees and plan and assign annual goals and work

15% - Service and Other Activities

  • Participate on University task forces and committees
  • Serve on the University President’s Cabinet

Minimum/Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in any field
  • Three years’ experience and demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following civil rights compliance areas, including harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, retaliation, equal opportunity, affirmative action, or accessibility work
  • Significant leadership experience in developing organizational strategy and vision, setting challenging and attainable goals, assessing priorities, and delivering and communication measurable results
  • Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate connections, build partnerships, and communicate honestly, even where the conversations may be difficult
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage crisis and productively manage conflict
  • Progressive management experience or supervisory experience
  • This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in a relevant field
  • Demonstrated ability in the area of conducting investigations
  • Experience in a leadership role in a complex organization
  • Experience working in higher education
  • Recent experience with Title IX compliance
  • Experience in more than one civil rights compliance areas
  • Progressive management experience and supervisory experience

Application Process

The Search Advisory Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and references) or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting Oregon State University. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to March 20, 2023. For more information, please contact Parker Executive Search:

Porsha Williams, Vice President

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal

Jack McGrew, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328

janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com

(678) 775-4564

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.