Director, Equity and Inclusion

The Annie E. Casey Foundation invites nominations and applications for the role of Director, Equity and Inclusion. Reporting to the Vice President for External Affairs, the Director will partner closely with colleagues across the Foundation, including the Senior Leadership Team, to integrate equity and inclusion into all aspects of the Foundation. Serving as a thought leader and primary resource for racial equity, the Director will focus on capacity building and drive the development of tools and protocols to help embed equity-focused strategies into programmatic work, and spotlight best practices and proof points across the Foundation and the field. The Director will bring expertise and fluency to strengthen strategies, practices, communications, and policies as part of building a grant-making culture focused on racial and ethnic equity.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation (Casey) is dedicated to building a brighter future for millions of children and youth at risk of poor educational, economic, social, and health outcomes. The Foundation’s work focuses on strengthening families, building stronger communities, and ensuring access to opportunity because young people need all three to succeed. Casey advances research and solutions to overcome barriers to success, helps communities demonstrate what works, and influences decision makers to invest in strategies based on solid evidence.

At Casey, you will find a dynamic environment with staff of diverse backgrounds and perspectives who share a deep commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission. The successful candidate will have a strong command of racial equity and inclusion strategies, concepts, methods, and tools; and a track record of influencing and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to advance equity centered missions and strategies, and leading teams to turn opportunities, ideas, and needs into action.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DIRECTOR

You will lead a dynamic portfolio of work to build the capacity of staff, grantees, and the field to advance equitable outcomes for kids, young people, and families. Your leadership will:

• Help to advance equity and inclusion across the Foundation, equally holding the interest of all racial and ethnic groups and promoting a multicultural lens to Casey’s equity work.
• Champion the Foundation’s data and results-driven approach to race, ethnic equity, and inclusion to Casey staff, grantees, partners, and stakeholders.
• Collect, measure, interpret, and analyze data to inform the development of racial and ethnic equity and inclusion strategies, programs, trainings, and tools that ultimately improve outcomes for Casey’s target populations.
• Develop and implement strategies to build the capacity of staff, grantees, and the field to advance equitable outcomes for kids, young people, and families, including:
• Developing, sharing, and promoting the use of practical tools, frameworks, resources, and best practices to deepen equity work across the Foundation and the field.
• Collaborate with staff to infuse knowledge and best practices related to racial and ethnic equity and inclusion in Casey’s programming, communications, internal culture building, staff development, and operations.
• Assessing Casey’s progress in operationalizing equity using assessment tools, metrics, and dashboards.
• Partnering with technical assistance providers to engage Casey staff, partners, and grantees in a consultative capacity to deepen equity strategies, metrics, and results within portfolios and operations.
• Coordinating and co-investing in technical assistance to support Casey’s work as needed.
• Partnering with Casey units and other funders to co-invest in promising innovative programs and practices that can advance equitable outcomes.
• Build and share a knowledge base of promising and proven approaches for advancing equity for the Foundation and the field, including:
• Documenting and spotlighting best practices and proof points of effective equity strategies.
• Sharing insight, knowledge, and lessons learned with philanthropic peers who wish to implement similar institutional strategies and approaches.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key contacts, communities, organizations, and networks by attending meetings and communicating with national partners and local communities.

CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications outlined below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• Fluency and expertise in racial equity and inclusion concepts, methodologies, strategies, and tools.
• Deep knowledge and training in racial justice and equity, and experience applying racial equity practices to organizational development and related change management programs.
• Cultural competence and ability to build buy-in and consensus on complex and uncomfortable issues of race, ethnicity, and multiculturalism.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a thought partner, engage comfortably with colleagues at all levels, solve problems collaboratively, and lead by influence rather than authority.
• Ability to listen, discern challenges, and identify solutions.
• Excellent relationship building, consultative, and influence skills.
• Ability to translate ideas and concepts into practical and actionable resources, tools, and solutions.
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative data and information to both tell a story and evaluate success with various audiences.
• Experience and familiarity working with organizations in transition, comfort navigating multifaceted organizational development needs.
• Track record of effectively developing and implementing strategies that support a bold mission within an organization.
• Experience in the leadership and management of major public systems, organizations or major initiatives in economic opportunity, community change, public policy and advocacy, leadership development, research and evaluation, communications or public relations is a plus.

TO APPLY

More information about The Annie E. Casey Foundation may be found at: www.aecf.org

This is a full-time exempt position. Annie E. Casey offers a competitive total rewards package that includes annual salary and comprehensive benefits.

Casey is partnering with Linh C. Nguyen, Allison Kupfer Poteet, and Jess Powers of NPAG on this search. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

Cultivating a diverse and inclusive team is an essential component of The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s work to advance equity. Candidates of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.