Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity

The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) seeks a multi-faceted, strategic, and culturally sensitive leader to fill the new position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity.  Established in 1863, UMass Amherst is the largest public research university in New England, the land-grant university of Massachusetts, and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts System, distinguished by the excellence and breadth of its academic, research, and community outreach programs. Located in the scenic Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, UMass Amherst enrolls more than 23,500 undergraduates and more than 7,000 graduate students from 50 states and 71 countries. The university’s current five year strategic plan (2018-2023) is driven by values of excellence; diversity, equity, and inclusiveness; openness; integrity and stewardship; and impact. 

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity (AVC) is a newly created role that leads campus efforts related to the strategic and effective implementation of university policies addressing discrimination and harassment and serves as Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, and ADA Coordinator.  Reporting to the Vice Chancellor/Chief Human Resources Officer, with an indirect reporting relationship to the Chancellor, the AVC facilitates and supports the university’s efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all individuals protected under the university’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies.  The AVC oversees the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), which is the lead office investigating matters of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation, and manages a staff of grievance officers, investigators and office management and support staff.  The AVC also oversees the Office of Accessible Workplace, which handles disability accommodations for faculty and staff.

The successful candidate for this challenging and critical role must be a seasoned and well-organized leader able to manage the highly sensitive nature of the work of the OEO.  The AVC must be open and transparent with exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, and masterful in prioritizing initiatives across a vast range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, deans, University administration, and all University staff.  The AVC must act with diplomacy, integrity and insight supported by broad and deep content knowledge.  This role is highly visible and vital to the creation of an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community where students, staff, and faculty feel protected, respected, and safe. 

Required qualifications include an advanced degree, with a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school strongly preferred; at least 10 years of related experience in the areas of progressive civil rights, equal opportunity, or Title IX, with experience leading an equal opportunity office in higher education or the public sector strongly preferred; thorough knowledge and understanding of federal and state nondiscrimination and EEO laws, including Title IX, Title VII, ADA and other civil rights laws applicable to the University; substantial experience conducting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other governmental/internal investigations with demonstrated success implementing recognized best practices for investigations; experience supervising, developing, and supporting staff; ability to work successfully in a culturally diverse environment; and Impeccable integrity, emotional intelligence and a deep passion for the scope of work the position entails.

Screening will begin in September and continue until an appointment is made.  Nominations, inquiries, and applications (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names of five references) should be directed electronically to UMassAmherstAVCEO@divsearch.com

Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Senior Managing Director or Euris Belle, Managing Director

Nancy Helfman, Vice President and Senior Associate

Diversified Search

One Commerce Square, 2005 Market Street, Suite 3300, Philadelphia, PA  19103

215-656-3579

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.

For more information, visit www.umass.edu.