Special Assistant to the Vice President for Inclusive Strategy

About the role

The Special Assistant to the Vice President for Inclusive Strategy serves as a strategic partner and advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion. This role is designed for an innovative and detail-oriented professional who can advance the university’s equity, inclusion, and opportunity priorities by ensuring effective execution of high-impact initiatives, advancing strategic planning efforts, and supporting institutional accountability measures.

This role acts as a bridge between the Vice President, University stakeholders, and external partners, providing strategic project management, policy alignment, and operational oversight. The Special Assistant supports the implementation of university-wide DEI initiatives, oversees strategic reporting processes, and ensures integration of OEIO’s programs, including CSTEP/STEP, HEOP, and Student Support Services, into broader institutional goals.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a key advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, providing analysis, recommendations, and briefings on equity, access, and inclusion strategies.
• PARTNER WITH UNIVERSITY LEADERS TO ALIGN OEIO INITIATIVES WITH THE UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC PLAN AND MISSION PRIORITIE EXAMEN.
• DRAFTS EXECUTIVE-LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR LEADERSHIP, TRUSTEES, AND EXTERNAL PARTNERS.
• Supports policy development and compliance related to federal, state, and institutional regulations, particularly as they pertain to opportunity programs and DEI initiatives.
• CURRENTLY MANAGING AND COORDINATING STRATEGIC PLAN REPORTING, ANNUAL DEI COUNCIL DELIVERABLES, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ MISSION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES.
• SERVING AS A LIASON BETWEEN OEIO AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP, FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS, TRUSTEES, AND EXTERNAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
• PREPARING, TRACKING, AND RECONCILING ANNUAL DIVISIONAL BUDGETS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT AND DIVISIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS; MONITORING FINANCIAL EXPENDITURES AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND GRANTOR REQUIREMENTS.
• COMPILING, ORGANIZING, AND SUBMITTING DATA REPORTS FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING FOR ANNUAL REPORTING, ACCREDITATION, AND GRANT COMPLIANCE PURPOSES.
• COLLABORATING WITH THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION TO MANAGE THE INSTITUTIONAL PORTFOLIO OF THE UNIVERSITY’S STRATEGIC PLAN, ESTABLISH PERFORMANCE-TARGETING STRUCTURES, AND COORDINATE CROSS-UNIT INITIATIVES ACROSS ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC SECTORS.
• ASSISTING WITH THE LOGISTICS, SCHEDULING, AND COORDINATION OF DIVISIONAL EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND TRAININGS DESIGNED TO ADVANCE EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.
• PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY’S COUNCIL ON EQUITY, BELONGING, AND ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUDING COORDINATING MEETING SCHEDULES, PREPARING MATERIALS, TRACKING ACTION ITEMS, AND SUPPORTING COMMUNICATION WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public administration, business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, project management, or organizational strategy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, data reporting tools, and project management software.
• High degree of discretion, intellectual agility, and a commitment to Fordham’s Jesuit mission, with particular attention to advancing equity and belonging for all members of the university community.

Skills

• Demonstrated success in supporting senior leadership in complex organizational environments.
• Strong understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education.
• Exceptional organizational, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to translate data into compelling narratives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise discretion, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• High degree of discretion, intellectual agility, and a commitment to Fordham’s Jesuit mission, with particular attention to advancing equity and belonging for all members of the university community.