Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist

Foley Hoag seeks a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist to support the delivery of high-impact programming integrating DEI topics aimed at cultivating engagement, increasing cultural awareness and sensitivity, and further elevating a comprehensive and strategic framework in support of inclusive excellence firm-wide.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director, the Senior Specialist will assist in the implementation of a communication plan that supports the DEI strategy both internally and externally; leverage data to inform decision making; coordinate events planning; provide affinity group support; and collaborate with other firm departments on DEI-related initiatives and activities as needed.

The ideal candidate will bring the ability to help drive data-informed strategies, supported by skills in Excel reporting, analysis, interpretation, and presentation; high work standards in support of accurate and professional work products; and knowledge of current research and theoretical models related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Communication
  • Partner with the DEI Director to create DEI marketing materials, resources, toolkits, brochures, and reports.
  • In partnership with DEI Manager, help facilitate onboarding coffee-chats for new hires and remain accessible to all new hires during the onboarding period.
  • In collaboration with the firm’s Business Development Department, create, highlight, and share DEI stories and successes through the firm’s newsletters, websites, and social media channels.
  • Ensure DEI content on the firm’s intranet and external website remains relevant and updated to showcase achievements and milestones.
  • Create promotional materials for recruitment, client interactions, hiring events, and other events.
  • Develop and produce the monthly DEI newsletter from concept through completion, delivering polished, publication-ready drafts with minimal supervision.
  • Create and maintain an accurate, user-friendly multifaith calendar, ensuring it is regularly updated and easily accessible.
• Survey Administration & Data Analytics
  • Under supervision, manage DEI industry surveys, RFPs, and other client requests (preparation, completion, reporting of results, recommendations, and post-actions).
  • In partnership with the DEI Manager, create program evaluations to assess the effectiveness of DEI-related strategies and programming, providing regular reports to the DEI team.
  • Maintain knowledge of current and emerging developments/trends assessing the firm’s impact and collaborate with the DEI team to incorporate new trends and developments in current and future initiatives.
• Affinity Group Support
  • Provide effective support, guidance, and oversight to our Women’s Forum, nine (9) Affinity Groups (AG), and their leadership teams ensuring a self-sustaining model with capabilities to support the DEI strategy and objectives.
  • Lead Affinity Groups operations including onboarding, training, annual action planning, guidelines and templates; oversee membership engagement activities and work to ensure consistent execution in alignment with budgetary requirements.
  • Manage and oversee the AG membership process, including maintaining accurate, up-to-date listservs, ensuring they are well-publicized and easily accessible to relevant stakeholders.
  • Serve as the ambassador to key stakeholders promoting the value proposition to better engage with current and future employees and leaders.
• Events Management
  • Support the full logistical lifecycle of programs/events from start to finish; working with the Senior DEI Coordinator, help to oversee administrative and budget tasks for virtual and live events, including date/room clearance, on-site event management, invitations, coordination of panelists and speakers, communications, social media, scheduling and running tech rehearsals, and post-event follow-up, including all invoicing/payments, tracking attendance, working with other offices, drafting follow-up correspondence, logging activities, and tracking feedback.
  • Working with the DEI Manager, oversee the CLE process for programming/events that qualify.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience supporting DEI initiatives or transferrable skills in data analysis, marketing, or events planning required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of DEI topics, such as identity, intersectionality, privilege and power, unconscious bias, micro-aggressions, inclusive leadership, improving culture, cultural humility, and intergroup and intra-group dynamics and dialogue.
• Event planning experience required.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of attention to detail, delivering high-quality, accurate work product.
• Self-starter with intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in continuous learning and professional growth.
• Advanced skills in analyzing, researching, interpreting, and synthesizing large amounts of data with the ability to tell a persuasive story behind the data.
• Strong technical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office, with particular emphasis on PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel.
• Marketing and branding exposure and/or experience is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated excellence in effective communication (verbal, written, listening skills), with ability to create and deliver presentations for a wide variety of audiences.
• Highly organized with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and work independently under tight deadlines.
• Ability to quickly develop rapport with others and establish positive working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a high level of emotional intelligence, the ability to exercise discretion dealing with confidential and sensitive information, maintain neutrality, and lead difficult conversations.
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment in seeking/proposing a resolution.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and work product.

Pay

Compensation range is $88,200 to $110,300 commensurate with related experience and qualification. The salary of the candidate selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, experience, specialty, and training.