UTEC Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

UTEC is a nationally recognized organization that serves young adults who are in need of justice. Our mission is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disconnected young people, inspiring them to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. The program starts behind the walls of correctional facilities and via direct street outreach and transitions into an intensive program in the community post-release. Our educational services, wraparound support and counseling, social enterprises/workforce development, organizing/policy work, training institute, and innovative partnerships create an array of impacts in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve, and beyond. UTEC currently operates in Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, MA and our programming has served as a model nationwide.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We seek a dynamic and experienced Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) to lead our organization in fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. The Director of DEIB will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote DEIB across all aspects of our organization. They will take a holistic approach to assessing progress towards DEIB goals and identifying opportunities for adjustment. This role requires a visionary leader who can collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels to drive meaningful change and create a supportive environment where all employees feel valued and respected. The Director will collaborate with a growing Human Resources team and report directly to the Chief People Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive DEIB strategy aligned with organizational goals and values.
• Identify opportunities to integrate DEIB principles into our operations, including recruitment, retention, promotion, training, and leadership development.
• Lead the DEIB Committee in support of the identified priorities.

Program Implementation

• Design and oversee initiatives and programs that promote workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Collaborate with HR, leadership, and other departments to ensure DEIB initiatives are effectively implemented and monitored.
• Support departments in understanding and ensuring DEIB principles and practices daily.

Training & Implementation

• Develop, deliver, and, when necessary, conduct contract training on DEIB and related topics to raise awareness, enhance cultural competency, and set behavioral expectations among employees.
• Provide resources and support for ongoing learning and development related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Conduct sexual harassment trainings.

Policy & Compliance

• Review and update policies and procedures to align with DEIB best practices and legal requirements.
• Monitor compliance with diversity-related regulations and recommend adjustments as needed.

Metrics & Reporting

• Establish metrics to measure the effectiveness of DEIB initiatives and track progress over time. Prepare regular reports for senior leadership on DEIB outcomes, challenges, and opportunities.
• Monitor various existing and new sources of employee data to ensure outcomes are aligned with DEIB goals.

Community Engagement

• Represent the organization in DEIB-related initiatives and partnerships externally
• Build relationships with community organizations, professional networks, and industry groups to enhance UTEC’s DEIB efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in roles focused on DEIB, including previous experience in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing DEIB strategies and initiatives.
• Strong understanding of relevant DEIB laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Proven track record of fostering an inclusive workplace culture and driving measurable results.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action.
• Experience measuring, analyzing, and reporting on qualitative and quantitative data to measure DEIB impact.
• Empathetic and culturally competent with a commitment to social justice.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• High integrity and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & ROLE SPECIFICATION

This a full time, exempt role. The Director of DEIB is eligible for hybrid remote work and can expect to work at UTEC’s offices in Lowell three days per week. The other two days they will work from a home office.. The salary range for this role is $90,000-$100,000 annual. In addition, employees are eligible to participate in a robust benefits program including:

• 4 weeks of vacation (3 standard for all new employees and a week of agency-wide closure between Christmas and New Year holidays).
• 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Annual cost of living increases.
• 457B retirement plan.
• Up to $4,000 per employee for professional development support.
• With time, benefits include up to 6 weeks of vacation, 80% coverage of employee health and dental insurance costs, and availability for a 3-week sabbatical.
• Emphasis on work-life balance with wellness opportunities including additional time off (e.g., early closure on Fridays during summer months), an employee assistance program, down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, parental leave, bereavement support, and unlimited free coffee.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application through our online portal promptly. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email rcostello@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

While subject to change, candidates elected to advance throughout the process can expect:

• initial interviews with Positively Partners
• a follow up video interview with Emma Concepcion, Chief People Officer
• a multi-part in person final interview day and facility tour

The expected start date is Summer 2025. Positively Partners is committed to conducting an equitable, accessible assessment process. If you would like to request an accommodation during the interview process, please email search@positivelypartners.org. Accommodation requests will be handled confidentially.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

UTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applications from those with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences that reflect the populations we serve.

UTEC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.