Senior Director of Equity, Research, and Community Engagement

Overview : The Senior Director of Equity, Research, and Community Engagement is responsible for the successful management and oversight of the community engagement, research, and equity teams, and oversight of all client community engagement, research, and equity efforts.

The Senior director leads client equity, research and community engagement strategy for the Firm and serves as senior advisor to the president.

Position Reports to : President

Classification : Exempt

Email Cover Letter and Resume to by September 20th

Primary Responsibilities :

Design and implement community engagement programs, goals, and objectives, in collaboration with the community engagement team.

Oversight and management of the community engagement team, ensuring all deliverables meet all goals and objectives, and are achieved according to schedule.

• Design and implement Firm and client equity programs, goals, and objectives, in collaboration with the equity team. Oversight and management of the equity team, ensuring all deliverables meet all goals and objectives, and are achieved according to schedule.
• Design and implement client community engagement and equity strategies in line with Espousal Strategies objectives. Ensure all programs, goals, and objectives are designed in an authentic, well researched, and culturally aware manner.
• Design and implement qualitative and quantitative methods to advance client research and survey needs.
• Establish and maintain partnerships and meaningful relationships with organizations throughout the region, to include faith based, BIPOC specific, and community organizations.

Represent the Espousal Strategies at group meetings and public and private events.

• Develop, organize, and delegate, facilitate, or co-facilitate discussion groups, workshops, trainings, roundtables, and other events (virtually or in person as appropriate).
• Create and monitor accurate budgets for assigned teams, projects, and tasks, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with FAR rules.
• Collect data, review, and analyze project results. Create qualitative and quantitative reports, dashboards and other documents for dissemination.

Identify opportunities for improved results and apply to future projects and team activities.

Remain current in understanding of community engagement activities, associations and coalitions, DEI industry trends and best practices, with specific attention to innovative, creative, and cutting-edge ideas.

In collaboration with the President, incorporate up to date DEI best practices into community outreach and training activities.

Represent Espousal Strategies in a positive and professional manner to interested parties and partners, clients, peers, public officials, community groups, and other business partners.

Attend business related functions as requested by the President.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

• Actively supervise assigned staff, interns, and project volunteers.
• Monitor activities, coach, mentor, and provide performance feedback as necessary to staff.
• Train staff and others on firm’s equity and community engagement best practices and techniques.
• In collaboration with the president, directors of equity and engagement, screen, interview, and select new community engagement and equity team hires.

Other Responsibilities :

• Provide the President with on-going reports on community engagement and equity progress and plans, on at least a bi-monthly basis.
• In collaboration with the President, actively work on development of current and future community partnership relationships.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

Knowledge & Skills :

• A passion to engage BIPOC and other marginalized communities in various efforts including public infrastructure projects.
• A passion to further both internal and external organizational DEI efforts, including in public infrastructure projects.
• Excellent leadership skills. The ability to coach and mentor staff and effectively manage performance issues.
• Excellent presentation and training skills. The ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of populations, in a persuasive and collaborative manner.
• Successful meeting and group facilitation skills with attention to and experience with equitable engagement and managing power dynamics.
• Excellent community and partnership feedback analysis skills, with the ability to accurately review and synthesize feedback and data.

The ability to disseminate information into succinct and meaningful reports.

• Strong research and analysis skills, experience with different research methods. Ability to accurately research and disseminate project information to staff, leadership, community members, clients, and partnership organizations.
• Demonstrated history of using graphics, infographics, and other methods to visualize data.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills.
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and switch priorities as needed. Ability to work calmly and effectively under deadline.
• Ability to create, monitor, and adhere to a fiscally responsible budget.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and be self-directed.
• Cooperative and collaborative team member. Ability to communicate in a professional and respectful manner with all clients, co-workers, interested parties and partners, community members, public officials, and other business partners.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude in the office regarding work assignments, teamwork, and company mission.
• Proficient in standard office procedures, software, and communications technology.
• Excellent understanding of DEI principals and best practices. The ability to research and stay abreast of new industry developments, trends, and best practices.
• Understanding of federal civil rights programs and regulations, such as Title VI, EEO, ADA, and DB
• Passion for the principals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the mission of Espousal Strategies.

Required Work Experience :

Minimum 10 years’ experience in government or private sector environments in Community Engagement and DEI roles. Demonstrated history of working with BIPOC and other marginalized communities and implementing strategies to increase authentic engagement of these communities.

Demonstrated history working with BIPOC and other critical partners in Portland / SW Washington. Proficiency in Spanish or other common second language in BIPOC communities in the Portland metro region highly preferred.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands :

Work is usually performed in an indoor office environment, or remote home office environment, with long periods at a desk.

Work is oriented to community service and subject to constant work interruptions. Position requires the employee to regularly facilitate meetings and deliver presentations to leadership, staff, community members, clients, and other business partners, in both small and large groups.

Employees may work under the stress of continual contact from clients, community members, co-workers and business partners, and the pressure to meet deadlines.

Requires flexible work schedule and may be required to work evenings and weekends. May occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

Position may require the ability to travel regionally for work activities.

Benefits :

Espousal Strategies’ offers competitive health, dental, PTO, and retirement benefits.

At Espousal Strategies we don’t just accept difference we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our clients, and our community.

We do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.