Executive Director, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism in Kamloops, British Columbia at Thompson Rivers University

Community-minded with a global conscience, TRU boldly redefines the university as a place of belonging — Kw’seltktnéws (we are all related and interconnected with nature, each other, and all things) — where all people are empowered to transform themselves, their communities, and the world. The Executive Director, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI & AR) will play a significant leadership role at TRU to ensure a sense of belonging, and an intersectional approach to EDI and anti-racism, focusing on students, faculty, staff, and wider community members.

As a key strategic leader and influencer, the Executive Director, EDI & AR is a member of the Senior Leadership team and reports to the Provost and Vice-President Academic. The Executive Director, EDI & AR will work collegially across the university and externally to plan, develop and support the implementation of a collective vision, values, and alignment for EDI and anti-racism services, policies, and programs at TRU.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Vision and Leadership

• Provides active leadership for the development of the Office of EDI & AR, with a vision that is aligned with TRU’s goals and strategic priorities and ensures legislative compliance.
• Champions and advances the university’s overall engagement in relation to EDI and anti-racism across TRU.
• Provides vision and leadership in strategic planning and establishes and implements goals to provide a more unified, integrated, and intersectional approach to EDI and anti-racism at TRU.
• Establishes short- and long-term initiatives that are consistent with the strategic priorities of TRU; reports regularly to the status of EDI and anti-racism initiatives at TRU Senate and the Board of Governors as required.
• Leads and supports the development of relationships with internal and external EDI and anti-racism experts and practitioners.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates the EDI and Anti-Racism Action Plans through collaborative and consultative engagement with the TRU community.
• Creates a pan-institutional semi-decentralized model for EDI governance, with anti-racism as a major pillar, to harmonize and/or address deficits in existing EDI and anti-racism initiatives and ensures mechanisms are in place to evaluate and sustain EDI and anti-racism initiatives going forward.
• Provides expert advice and support to TRU’s leaders in developing collaborative relationships with EDI representative groups across campus and in local communities.
• Ensures that principles of EDI and anti-racism are considered in all aspects of the university’s operations, program planning, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Promotes and supports compliance with legislation on accessibility, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, equity and human rights, and supports the university through employment systems reviews and employment equity audits.
• Continues the development of EDI and anti-racism training, resources, and supports to TRU community members.
• Coordinates the establishment of a pan-institutional EDI Advisory Group to provide feedback on all EDI and anti-racism efforts.
• Works closely with Indigenous Education staff, Elders, and Secwépemc Cultural Advisor to support cultural competence of staff and students, as well as community relations.
• Coordinates the development of initiatives aimed at increasing visibility for equity-deserving students, faculty, and staff and enhancing a campus culture of EDI.
• Leads collaborative, cooperative, and consultative efforts to create a common purpose and foster the spirit of teamwork that is inclusive of the university community.
• Leads planning processes, manages resources and provides creative leadership to faculty and staff in an academic setting.
• Develops and promotes TRU’s mission, vision, and values through a lens of intersectionality and belonging.
• Builds and maintains a cohesive and highly functioning team within the Office of EDI & AR.
• Stays current on best practices in post-secondary EDI & AR work.

Staff Relations

• Plans and prioritizes human resource needs for the Office of EDI & AR, ensuring that viable departmental hiring plans are in place.
• Supervises staff including goal setting, performance evaluation, coaching and supporting professional development.
• Works to build and maintain trust between administration, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.
• Encourages a sense of vision, energy and collegiality within the Office of EDI & AR.
• Integrates Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism principles in all recruitment activities.
• Works to promote retention of staff.

General Management

• Develops and tracks performance indicators and metrics for the Office of EDI & AR and provides the Provost with an annual performance analysis.
• Ensures the effective management of a balanced operating budget.
• Develops, implements, monitors, and reviews tactical and operational plans, procedures, systems and supports in accordance with the university’s strategic goals, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Relationships Within and Outside the University

• Builds effective relationships with a broad spectrum of constituents, including senior administration, faculty members, students, alumni, community leaders, Indigenous communities, industry and professional leaders, bargaining units, educational and other key institutions regionally, provincially, nationally, internationally and with organizations in the academic academy.
• Promotes and advocates for the Office of EDI & AR, raising awareness of its contributions.
• Represents TRU and its interests in provincial and national organizations that span the post-secondary education sector.
• Plays a key role in encouraging exchanges and collaborative initiatives with other institutions, business communities and professions locally, nationally and internationally.
• Serves as the chief spokesperson for the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism across TRU and in the external community, while seeking guidance and support from the Office of University Relations and Marketing and Communications for all media enquiries.

REPORTS TO
Provost and Vice-President Academic

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES

• A candidate must hold a Master’s degree and have significant leadership experience that is particularly relevant to EDI and anti-racism, ideally in a post-secondary institution.
• Preference will be given to an equity deserving candidate with lived experience and a demonstrated understanding of EDI and anti-racism concepts and frameworks
• 5-7 years of related experience should include:
  • An understanding of higher education environments and the ability to foster community relationships and partnerships in a collaborative and collegial environment
  • Ability to enact organizational culture reform with an EDI and anti-racism lens
  • Ability to prepare and deliver training initiatives that support EDI fundamentals, anti-racism concepts, and social justice offerings
  • Experience supporting academic policy/procedure development and review
  • Well-developed and demonstrated understanding of UNDRIP and TRC Calls to Action for post-secondary institutions
  • Demonstrated success in advocating for and supporting Indigenous peoples with the ability to foster and advance an academic environment welcoming of diversity and intercultural engagement
  • Demonstrated ability to provide trusted and confidential advice; experience managing sensitive and confidential information
  • Evidence of success in fostering intercultural competence, inclusive excellence, and initiatives that advance the success of underrepresented and/or equity-deserving groups
  • Strength in team building, conflict resolutions, collaboration and collegiality
  • Experience advancing learning and organizational excellence in a highly diverse and complex environment
  • Demonstrated record of successful management of people
  • Outstanding leadership skills, including a commitment to action and a demonstrated ability to inspire and mobilize others in support of strategic priorities, short- and long-term goals
  • Commitment to accountability and transparency, with the ability to inspire trust in interpersonal relationships, a reputation for integrity, sound judgement, resourcefulness and accountability
  • Experience leading and managing in a unionized environment that includes employee recruitment and selection, evaluation, contract negotiation, and the grievance process
  • A strong understanding of relevant legislation as they pertain to post-secondary institutions
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively listen to all points of view, build consensus, and inform others of policies and plans; ability to communicate effectively and present ideas and concepts orally and in writing
  • Excellent organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional active listening skills
  • A strong understanding of social justice theories, concepts, and practices
• An understanding of TRU’s strategic foundations, values and goals, particularly with respect to open access and student access
• Proven intuitive and empathetic leader
  

NOTE: To learn more about Thompson Rivers University or living in Kamloops or Williams Lake please visit our Careers website. External Candidates invited to interview will be required to bring a copy of their transcripts to the interview.