Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Reporting to the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, the Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion in The Graduate School (TGS) Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) plays a key role in the development, implementation, and administration of diversity and inclusion programs for TGS. The Assistant Director will play a key role in development and assessment of flagship ODI portfolios. This individual will also travel to various recruiting events and conferences to support the TGS diversity recruitment strategy.

Candidate must possess the ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasionally represent on our Chicago campus as needed in support of office events. The Assistant Director will travel 20-25% of the year, or the equivalent of one conference/recruitment event per month.

Please Note: This position follows current University guidelines regarding a hybrid work arrangement with an onsite average of three days per week when not traveling.

Communications    

Evaluation              

Events                      

Grants/Contracts  

Outreach

Program Development

Recruitment

Supervision

Specific Responsibilities :

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Directs program/project marketing/branding efforts.  
• Writes and edits recruitment and communication materials and reports for ODI.
• Incorporates social media and networking into program/project aspects as appropriate.
• Engages in outreach/field relations serving a number of goals, including recruitment, participation, sponsorship, relationship building, etc. to support continued program/project development & improvement.
• Leads recruitment strategy for ODI. Travels and represents Northwestern at recruiting events and diversity conferences

Evaluation

• Partners with Admissions & Recruitment on the Diversity Fellowship committee and Early Admissions Decision Process; analyzes and evaluates diversity admissions data for TGS Diversity Report
• Observes program sessions and interacts with participants for purpose of gaining consumer insight, growing and strengthening program knowledge, and optimizing client satisfaction.

Events

• Designs and delivers recruitment presentations for prospective students
• Builds proactive high touch relationships with potential students, external staff, and faculty partners at pipeline organizations (Big Ten Academic Alliance, McNair, Mellon Mays, LSAMP, National Name Exchange, MSI)
• Coordinates programming, educational, student, alumni, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Ensures that event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

Grants & Contracts

• Identifies grant opportunities and writes grant proposals to fund diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Partners with program contacts and the Office of Training Grant Support on grant applications. 

Program Development

• Provides leadership for planning, scheduling, delivering and maintaining program(s)/project(s) to sustain quality instruction in all educational activity. 
• Implements retention strategy for underrepresented minority (URM) PhD students; develops programming and secures guest lecturers for workshops
• Oversees themes and program content for quarterly Diversity Celebrations for URM graduate students
• Project management of annual Introduction to Graduate Education at Northwestern (IGEN) STEM+ two-day campus visit; evaluates applications; develops overall program; organizes panels, poster session, and lab tours; manages IGEN graduate student liaisons; advises prospective students as needed.    
• Performs other duties and collaborates with other units/departments as assigned.

Miscellaneous 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree; or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience, including administration, planning, and/or project management responsibilities
• Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills with a dedication to fostering collegial relationships and the ability to work with all levels of an organizations
• Passionate self-starter willing to work independently and take ownership while able to handle every aspect of a project, from strategic planning to successful implementation to post evaluation and follow-up
• Outstanding organizational, and time management, and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and advance effective and inclusive working relationships and promote positive workplace engagement
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; exhibits a high degree of sensitivity and tact in communication to students, staff, and faculty
• High degree of professionalism with a commitment to providing expert service and the ability to handle confidential information with the utmost discretion
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion and represent TGS in internal and external workgroups and collaborations
• Advanced knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs
• Adaptable to changing priorities, strong sense of urgency and initiative

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Minimum 3 years of related experience in a higher education setting
• Participation in undergraduate diversity pipeline organizations or summer research opportunity programs
• Experience with diversity recruitment, grant writing, student mentoring and advising

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced skills in relationship management

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at  to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at  to learn more .

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The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.