Manager, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Job Description

About the job

Make an impact at our client’s firm, which practice’s law with integrity, ingenuity, agility and ambition. They have lawyers across the United States, Europe and Asia excel at complex transactions, high-stakes litigation and world-class advisory services in the technology, life sciences, real estate, private equity and financial industries. Our client’s unique combination of deep experience serving both the innovators and investors in a rapidly-changing, technology-driven economy sets them apart. Summary: The DEI Manager will partner with firm leaders and the DEI Team to support the implementation of an industry-leading diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. This individual will play a key role in driving critical firm-wide initiatives to success, with an orientation towards action and results. The DEI Manager will be a consultant and advisor to business unit and office leaders, affinity group leaders, local council leaders, and other stakeholders, and will run programming that supports the firm’s DEI strategy, with a focus on running effective 1:1 mentorship, sponsorship and coaching programs, eliminating hidden barriers to success, addressing systemic inequities, and creating a mature DEI culture in which each leader is responsible for DEI success.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement programs and interventions designed to attract, retain, develop and advance diverse talent, eliminate hidden barriers to success, address systemic inequities, and foster inclusive leadership.

• Collaborate with select business unit and department leaders, practice managers and attorney development managers to design and execute business unit / department strategies that are aligned with firmwide talent strategies.

• Work with select affinity group leaders to develop and implement annual strategic plans, draft management updates, perform data analysis, run programming, and manage annual budgets.

• Manage and align affinity group strategy and programming to broader DEI strategy.

• Operate as a skilled facilitator who is capable of creating content for DEI training and awareness programs that will increase strategic impact throughout the firm.

• Manage and monitor the implementation of DEI programming, and drive accountability to project timelines, deliverables and outcomes.

• Analyze DEI data trends to measure progress and program effectiveness, and to inform the firm’s DEI strategy.

• Work, coach, consult and partner across all levels, inclusive of individual contributors, people managers, associates, counsel, partners, and firm leadership.

• Provide or arrange for one-on-one executive coaching for individuals on issues pertaining to DEI. • Collaborate with the firm’s human resources business professionals to develop and implement DEI programs for professional staff.

• Collaborate with the firm’s talent acquisition teams to identify strategic approaches that will enable them to increase opportunities to diversify our client’s talent pool and increase diversity in hiring.

• Partner with HRIS, marketing and finance teams to respond to RFPs and DEI surveys

• Collaborate with key clients on DEI-related initiatives in support of the firm’s goals, including premier speaker events, pro bono partnerships, pipeline initiatives, roundtables, and the like.

• Work with the firm’s marketing and communications teams to ensure that marketing and communications strategies incorporate key aspects of DEI messaging.

• Foster relationships with attorneys and professionals at the firm, internal DEI champions, DEI professionals at peer firms, leaders of DEI organizations and affinity bar associations, and DEI professionals at clients.

• Participate in external councils, conferences, and forums to stay abreast of cutting-edge issues and trends, benchmark leading organizations, enhance marketplace presence, and strengthen brand recognition.

• Monitor external DEI best practices and make recommendations for new initiatives to ensure that our client remains a leader in the DEI space.

• Support effective management of the overall DEI calendar and budget.

• Supervise, train and develop junior DEI professionals

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, and Juris Doctor or Master’s Degree in business administration, leadership and organizational development and/or behavioral design preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years of diversity and inclusion work preferred. Experience working in a large law firm, professional services firm, or matrixed environment desired. Facilitation and/or coaching experience considered a plus.

• Evidence of delivering in a matrixed environment with many key stakeholders.

• Resilient and able to work under pressure; delivery focused with significant drive and energy.

• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, inclusive leadership style, strategic and innovative thinking, persuasion and influencing skills, executive presence and the ability to build enthusiasm and commitment.

• Demonstrated expertise in creating and maintaining project charters, project plans, status reports, budgets, and communications and change management plans.

• Proven ability to track, prioritize, and drive multiple concurrent projects to success.

• Experience with effectively managing conflict, resolving issues, mitigating risks and influencing leaders.

• Strong organization skills, including setting priorities, planning, structuring project deliverable and problem-solving.

• Proven ability to lead peers and individual contributors, build effective teams and coach for success.

• Excellent communication skills, including effective listening, presentation and facilitation skills.

• Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to make effective, timely decisions