Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Campus and Community Engagement, this role ensures that all Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) institutional partnerships align with the core missions of the office and the university. The Director acts as a central bridge-builder, fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement among faculty, students, staff, and alumni to create a lasting culture of belonging. The role drives institutional excellence by partnering across the university to oversee faculty and staff hiring, data-driven engagement surveys, and the integration of workforce priorities into performance and leadership expectations.

Responsibilities

• People Strategy & Workforce Engagement: In partnership with units throughout the university, lead the oversight of faculty and staff hiring and engagement surveys.
• Cross-Community Engagement: Build strong working relationships with the Brown university community and work with administrators to share opportunities, align and organize information, and distill complex updates into clear, actionable community engagement initiatives.
• Analytics & Data-Informed Decisions: In partnership with the ODI leadership team and other university partners, leverage the existing DIAP foundation with a focus on people, curriculum, and accountability to support leaders in using data as a tool for improvement, not just reporting.
• Design collaborative learning experiences and provide strategic thought partnership to foster a culture of recognition and professional growth while aligning departmental goals with broader organizational change.
• Use data-driven insights and people-focused strategies to improve operations and support for the University, ensuring alignment with University-wide goals.

Requirements

• Graduate of an advanced degree (Masters, PhD, JD, etc.).
• Minimum 7-10 years of administrative experience in compliance, equity, and diversity.
• Experience in a university setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with students, faculty, and staff members.
• Evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent judgment with the ability to manage highly sensitive, confidential data and information.
• Demonstrated responsibility in analysis, reporting, planning, and data management.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively convey complex information to a wide array of audiences.
• Familiarity with current best practices and a working knowledge of emerging issues in equity and diversity.
• Demonstrated experience with the development and alignment of complex processes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence through expertise with a proven record of success in working with all levels of leadership and staff in a rapidly changing and complex organization.
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to make difficult decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work both autonomously and in consultation with the AVP of Campus and Community Engagement and colleagues.
• Evidence of creative strategic thinking.
• Integrity, flexibility, and ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment while working with staff, faculty, and students.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Benefits

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

Schedule

• Full time
• Scheduled weekly hours: 37.5
• Hybrid work location