Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Cornell Tech (NYC)

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

   

   

About Cornell Tech:

Cornell Tech is Cornell University’s groundbreaking campus for technology research and graduate education on Roosevelt Island in New York City. Our faculty, students and industry partners work together in a highly collaborative environment, pushing inquiry further and developing meaningful technologies to support societal needs. Founded in partnership with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the City of New York, Cornell Tech achieves global reach and local impact, extending Cornell University’s long history of leading innovation in computing, engineering and related fields.

Founded in 2011, a hallmark of Cornell Tech is its rapid pace of change and growth, which serve as opportunities to pursue inclusion, excellence and improvement, not merely scale. We strive to learn quickly from our activities and iterate to improve our programs and ways of working. We further expect our organizational structure to continue to evolve, given the pace of our activities and programs and our iterative learning process. Cornell Tech aims to become a destination of choice for diverse talent as well as a leader in changing the technology sector to be more inclusive.

Position Summary:

Cornell Tech seeks a dynamic leader with significant experience developing and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion programs to serve as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.  In keeping with Ezra Cornell’s founding principle of “any person...any study,” Cornell Tech is deeply committed to developing talent from all backgrounds and pioneering more inclusive practices, aspiring to become as diverse as its New York City home while creating an equitable and inclusive community. Achieving Cornell Tech’s mission requires advancing these principles on its campus and beyond.

Reporting to the Dean and Vice Provost, the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging will be responsible for shaping and implementing a vision for inclusion, equity and belonging priorities across the campus in support of diverse individuals as defined by race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and abilities.  As a subject matter expert, the director will serve as a coach, counselor, advisor and thought leader, driving strategy and partnering with the rest of the academic and administrative leadership to set and advance goals to recruit, support and retain a diverse student body, faculty and staff and to create an inclusive campus climate. The director will set a course for short and long-term strategic change, addressing internal goals and priorities as well as external-facing opportunities to impact the tech ecosystem. This position will promote and enable the Dean and Vice Provost’s commitment to public and internal transparency regarding progress towards and attainment of campus short-term and long-term DEIB objectives.

The successful candidate will be intellectually curious, expertly navigating ambiguity with determination and creativity. They will have experience planning and executing complex institutional projects, establishing data-driven metrics, fostering an inclusive culture and driving long-term organizational change.

The Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging will help identify, implement, and support policies and practices that support the recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse faculty, administrators, students, researchers and staff. They will initiate and support data-driven strategies and plans to identify where improvement is needed and will support the development of guidelines and training to reflect best practices and current research in these areas. In this effort, the director will serve as a trusted partner and advisor with administrators and institutional stakeholders within Cornell Tech and Cornell University to help ensure a culture of equity, inclusion and belonging. They will pay special attention to historical and systematic inequity and its implications in research, service, teaching, recruitment, persistence and retention.

Essential Functions Include:

Leadership, Development and Strategic Planning (35%)

• Lead a comprehensive, Cornell Tech-wide effort to lead and sustain a culture of belonging. Launch and champion initiatives in support of this goal.
• Utilizing existing university resources where possible, develop action plans accordingly.
• Working across departments and functions, assist Cornell Tech’s leaders in integrating diversity & inclusion priorities and goals into business processes and practices.

Diversity, Retention and Representation (35%)

• Advise and assist enrollment and admissions and student services teams in the development and assessment of programs that enhance the recruitment, retention and enrichment of a more diverse population of students as defined by race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and abilities.
• Partner with academic leadership in enhancing the recruitment and retention of a more diverse faculty and academic staff through efforts that include proposals for assessment, program implementation, and communications. Assist faculty in identifying opportunities to increase diversity of guest speakers and lecturers.
• Partner with supervisors and the Office of Human Resources in the recruitment and retention of a more diverse staff.

Program Resources Allocation and Data Management (30%)

• Strategically plan and allocate program resources, including sponsored and gift funds.
• Oversee the collection, assembly, maintenance, presentation and analysis of data to inform programmatic decisions, support communications of campus administrators, inform decision making, and support proposal submissions and stewardship activities.
• Develop and implement methodology for assessment and measurement of progress and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications & Competencies:  

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• A Bachelor’s degree and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing complex institutional projects to successfully advance belonging and inclusion, with an emphasis on diversity and equity, ideally in education and/or technology;
• Deep understanding of power structures and privilege differentials and institutional systems that foster systemic inequalities;
• An extensive understanding of organizational and culture change, leadership and pedagogy; with the ability to embrace ambiguity and experimentation to drive positive change;
• Excellent consensus building skills; experience working cross-culturally utilizing interpersonal and diplomatic skills; an ability to listen, inspire and influence others when articulating the benefits of belonging and inclusion to successfully advance diversity, access and equity with an emphasis on diversity and equity;
• Experience working effectively with all constituencies across an institution including sensitivity to existing culture and relationships; ability to achieve results through empowerment and partnership as well as maneuvering to “find a third way” to achieve change;
• Familiarity working with engaged learning and research in culturally informed and sensitive ways given the work Cornell Tech faculty, staff and students do that considers needs and experiences of individuals and communities.
• Strong data gathering, data analysis, problem solving and analytical skills; proven ability to work successfully with data collection methods;
• Executive level verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated integrity, credibility and judgment.
• Proven experience connecting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing practices to business goals. 

Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

• A Master’s degree in a related field.
• Reputation as an outstanding, responsive communicator and an inclusive decision-maker who is successful in being transparent with staff and students.
• High emotional intelligence including the ability to recognize and make full use of the field expertise of staff members within the office.
• Proficiency in developing annual goals and objectives that are clearly linked to the mission of the Cornell Tech diversity office, its college partners and the university.
• Proven critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as well as data fluency and ability to apply a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Personal characteristics associated with highly productive and successful professionals, including a vigorous work ethic, sound judgment, integrity, demonstrated initiative, attitude and personality to be effective at fundraising and building relationships with colleagues, senior leaders, students, and other stakeholders.

   

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information .

  

University Job Title:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director

Job Family:

Inclusion and Belonging

Level:

H

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$130,252.00 - $159,196.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid Remote

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Evelyn Gordon

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator .

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates .

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected] .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected] .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

2023-03-06