Director - Center for Racial & Social Justice

Job Summary:

Known for its legacy of social justice, advocacy and human rights intricately linked to Shaw's mission of "enhancing spiritual and ethical values", Shaw University seeks a Director for the Center of Social and Racial Justice who demonstrates a theological understanding of the intrinsic connection between the profession of faith and acts of social justice aimed at realizing the vision of the "beloved community." Following in the footsteps of iconic social activist leaders such as Ella Baker, C.T. Vivian, Reverend William Barber and Martin Luther King, Jr. the Director must have a strong understanding and praxis in the advocacy of social and racial justice issues, in addition to knowledge of issues related to liberation spirituality, economics, peace, human rights, and globalization.

The Director of the Center for Racial and Social Justice must possess strong leadership skills necessary to cultivate and strengthen the Center's long-term vision, create innovative strategies, facilitate teamwork, and unite diverse constituencies around shared philosophies centered on social justice. The Director is the primary public face of the Center, the acting spokesperson for the Center to the media, state officials, the business community, and the public. As such this individual must possess excellent oral and written communication skills ensuring the Center has strong media presence.

The Director will oversee a robust portfolio of activities, including the CRSJ's courses, programs, and signature events. The Director serves as the first line of contact for visitors, vendors, consultants, faculty, and staff engaging in/with the Center. The Director also works collaboratively with the leadership and students at Shaw in the advancing the Center's mission. The Director reports to the Dean of the School of Divinity.

Essential Job Functions:

* Proven "change agent" (leader) known for work related to social, religious and community activism.
* Possesses exceptional community organizing skills to mobilize diverse communities to be involved in the Center's initiatives on justice.
* Identifies and establishes strategic partnerships that can produce the greatest impact in dismantling systems that perpetuate racism, economic oppression, and environmental degradation.
* Advances the partnership with the local Church in seeking justice from oppression of any kind; promote and support the role of prophetic preaching and leadership models in the Church that embody social justice
* Possesses and utilizes their extensive network of contacts on the local, national, and global level in furthering (fulfilling) the mission (work) of the Center and reinforcing the value proposition of partnerships within local communities and beyond.
* Must garner external funding from foundations, organizations, corporations, state and federal agencies, to support the Center's mission and develop relevant partnerships.
* Responsible for ensuring public awareness of the work of the Center through strong media presence overseeing public relations for the Center to ensure the consistency and quality of the Center's messaging and its presence and visibility in the community (i.e. website, news releases, newsletters, publications, etc.)
* Writes and posts blogs, Op-Ed, etc. in response to current events on a semimonthly basis.
* Creates and maintains an archive of activities, and programs and events sponsored by the Center
* Serve as the liaison between the Center, grassroot groups and community, and lead advocate for social and racial justice.
* Provides leadership in the execution of the strategic vision for the Center including comprehensive planning and programming,
* Oversee, plan, conduct and host courses, workshops and research related to theology, racial and social justice that demonstrate the nexus between spirituality, equity, and justice and reflect the Center's and university's mission and vision as well as those in response to current realities.
* Assist in the development and maintenance of a certificate program (i.e., Faith and Public Life, Social Justice Advocacy, etc.)
* Research, identify, catalog, and respond to racial and social inequities in housing, education, employment, health, and government and politics throughout the region, nation, and global society
* Partner with advocacy groups that are environmental justice and ecologically conscience (i.e. Green Church, Eco-womanists, North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, NC Black Alliance, Black Church Food Security Network)
* Facilitate social-justice related lectures for UG/G students that demonstrate the nexus between the historical Black Church, equality, justice, and advocacy.
* Establish and maintain partnerships with volunteer legal services, host legal rights and civil rights clinics.
* Promote widely the legacy of Shaw University's engagement in racial and social justice (i.e. Leonard Medical School and its graduates, Ella Baker, SNCC, C.T. Vivian, Adam Clayton Powell, etc.)
* Familiarization with data system(s) or programs, including but not limited to MS Excel, Jenzabar, Adobe and Qualtrics
* Actively participate in university events for faculty and staff
* Manage contractual agreements (i.e., professional service agreements, memorandums of understanding, and other contracts) for Center's programs and activities.
* Collaborate with Institutional Advancement, Sponsored Programs, and Academic Affairs on grant and research opportunities; ensure timely and accurate grant writing, management, and reporting.
* Manage expenditures and inventory for the Center.
* Develop and implement standard operating procedures for the Center.
* Develop written policies and procedures for all Center activities, services, and programs.
* Design and disseminate reports and models that gauge the Center's programs and activities.
* Keep up with and utilize changing technologies and social media platforms; contribute material, and coordinate efforts to meet the communication needs of the Center.
* Other duties as assigned. This job description is not intended to provide all duties that may be required of the position, as other duties may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

* Student Interns
* Center Volunteers
* TBD

Minimum Job Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

* Doctorate in area(s) related to discipline in the humanities, social or behavioral sciences, theology/divinity, or comparable professional skill set.
* Minimum of 5 years of work experience in higher education.
* Demonstrated leadership as a faith leader and advocate within the racial and social justice community.
* Minimum of 3 years of management experience.
* Strong record of media exposure regarding racial and social justice issues evidenced by a body of published work, video and radio appearances, and social media posts
* Active membership on local, regional, and national boards that supports racial and social justice advocacy and work
* Experience in leadership position on at least one board
* Significant knowledge of constitutional and civil law that support racial and social justice advocacy
* Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative, productive and respectful relationships with leaders and other institutions and groups, including but not limited to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) and gender diverse communities, immigrant, and refugee communities.
* Must possess strong oral and written communication skills
* Demonstrated ability to analyze policies from a social justice and racial equity lens.
* Experience developing and managing programs to address institutional and structural racism and social inequity.
* Demonstrated experience in communicating as a public intellectual in the field and discourse of social and racial justice.
* Experience developing partnerships between educational institutions and government, non-profit organizations, businesses, philanthropic groups, and grassroots organizations.
* Must be responsive, quick-thinking, and possess an innate ability to anticipate and respond to issues.
* Strong interpersonal skills, humor, and compassion.
* Outstanding administrative skills, including the ability to produce, track and manage multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines in a high-performing environment.
* Bilingual language skills a plus.

Five Specific Competencies

Achieving Results

Sets challenging goals, tracks progress towards them, solves performance problems, and demonstrates the urgency and drive towards achieving them.

Collaboration

Builds constructive working relationships with clients/customers, other work units, community organizations and others to meet mutual goals and objectives. Behaves professionally and supportively when working with individuals from a variety of ethnic, social and educational backgrounds.

Communication

Clearly and respectfully conveys and receives information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the listener, helps them understand and retain the message, and invites response and feedback. Keeps others informed as appropriate. Demonstrates good written, oral, and listening skills.

Customer Service

Makes customers/clients and their needs a primary focus of one's actions; shows interest in and understanding of the needs and expectations of internal and external customers (including direct reports); gains customer trust and respect; meets or exceeds customer expectations.

Strategic Focus

Understands how an organization must change in light of internal and external trends and influences; keeps the big, long-range picture in mind; builds a shared long-range organizational vision with others. Committed to course of action to achieve long-range goals and influences others to translate vision into action.

Other Competencies (skills, abilities, behavior)

Must have a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the organization. Vision, commitment, and experience in achieving goals and pursuing excellence are critical. Strong oral and written presentation skills. Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team. Excellence in the organization, decision-making, problem-solving, and creating a collaborative environment. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English.

Physical Demands

Ability to sit or stand for up to 8 hours/day. Some lifting (up to 25 pounds occasionally), bending, and carrying. Specific vision abilities include the ability to use close vision. The employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and to use hands and fingers to handle or feel.