Director of Equity & Inclusion

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Director of Equity & Inclusion leads the continued evolution of Northwest Harvest’s equity work — strengthening the systems, reflection practices, and relational standards that ensure our commitments are durable and embedded in how we operate. Building on a strong foundation of equity-centered cultural alignment, this role focuses on translating our values into clear, consistent ways of working that shape leadership behavior and strengthen staff experience across the organization.

In a mission-driven nonprofit environment, the Director of Equity and Inclusion serves as a thought partner across departments, partnering closely with leaders to design practical structures for reflection, relational accountability, and equitable decision-making. This includes building repeatable learning practices, clarifying behavioral expectations, and supporting teams in navigating tension and growth with transparency and care.

Through thoughtful pacing, pragmatic implementation, and data-informed insight, the successful incumbent in this role will ensure that equity is embedded in daily operations that are durable, accessible, and not dependent on individual personalities. This role collaborates with the Chief Equity & People Officer to set direction, identify milestones, and measure progress in ways that support both accountability and learning.

As a member of the Leadership Team, this position contributes to the overall health of the organization by strengthening clarity, consistency, and shared accountability in how equity shows up in practice, in alignment with Northwest Harvest’s strategic priorities and mission to end hunger in Washington State.

This role engages in cutting hunger in rates in half by 2028 through supporting our colleagues and driving equity considerations through the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Team Management and Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership to the Equity & Inclusion function, setting clear priorities, measurable goals, and aligned work plans that reflect Northwest Harvest’s equity commitments and strategic direction
• Supervise and develop the Equity & Inclusion Program Manager and related staff or facilitator cohorts, fostering clarity, accountability, and professional growth
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team (LT), contributing to organizational trust, shared accountability, and strategic alignment
• Partner with the Chief Equity & People Officer to set direction, establish milestones, and monitor progress of equity initiatives
• Lead through influence by strengthening clarity and consistency in how equity practices show up across departments
• Model reflective leadership and support leaders in building predictable, values aligned ways of working
• Champion clear, steady communication regarding equity priorities, progress, and learning across the organization

Internal Equity and Inclusion Focus

• Design and embed structured reflection practices that support leaders and teams in learning, growth, and alignment
• Clarify and operationalize behavioral expectations aligned with Northwest Harvest’s anti-racist and anti-oppression commitments
• Develop practical tools and guidance that translate equity values into repeatable daily practices
• Support leaders in navigating tension, conflict, and growth with relational accountability and transparency
• Integrate equity learning into existing systems and rhythms, including engagement and performance platforms such as 15Five
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to identify patterns, inform reflection, and guide system improvements
• Establish governance structures and purpose clarity for ERGs and affinity spaces, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy while maintaining identity-centered integrity
• Reduce ambiguity by strengthening shared standards for how equity is practiced across teams and locations

External Equity Focus

• Contribute to the development and growth of Northwest Harvest’s community-facing equity learning initiatives
• Support curriculum development and facilitator pipelines rooted in nonprofit realities and systems-level equity practice
• Provide subject matter expertise in partnership with cross-functional leaders to advance equity-centered collaboration with external partners
• Represent Northwest Harvest in regional equity conversations, strengthening thought partnership and shared learning within the nonprofit community
• Ensure external equity efforts reflect the same clarity, consistency, and relational standards embedded internally

EQUITY AND INCLUSION 

Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact.

Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.

RELATIONSHIPS: 

Internal: Frequent contact with leadership and staff.

External: Regular contact with stakeholders, vendors, professional associates, networks and social enterprise clientele

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A combination of the reallife experience, education, and training listed

below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.  

Successful completion of a background check is required. 

Knowledge of: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion frameworks and anti-racist, anti-oppression organizational practice within mission-driven nonprofit environments
• Systems-level approaches to institutionalizing equity, including structured reflection practices, relational accountability models, and leadership behavior standards
• Organizational development principles as applied in resource-constrained nonprofit settings
• Nonprofit governance, strategy alignment, and the relational dynamics of similarly sized organizations
• Methods and practices for facilitating structured reflection, navigating conflict constructively, and coaching leaders through growth and discomfort
• The meaningful use of qualitative and quantitative data to inform organizational learning and continuous improvement
• HR processes, practices, and relevant employment regulations sufficient to partner effectively with People leadership
• Proficiency using organizational systems and platforms (e.g., ADP, Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, 15Five or similar engagement tools, and other enterprise software)

Ability To: 

• Demonstrate commitment to advancing equity for historically marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations, and people living with disabilities
• Understand and honor the lived experience of individuals impacted by poverty and food insecurity

Equity and Connectedness:

• Adopt the PACI (purpose driven, anti-racist, connected and interwoven) model and practice our Six Agreements:
• Speak our truths responsibly
• Listen to understand
• Stay engaged
• Be willing to experience discomfort and do things differently
• Expect and accept non-closure
• Honor confidentiality
• Translate equity commitments into clear, repeatable practices that reduce ambiguity and strengthen shared accountability
• Shape leadership behavior through influence, structured guidance, and thoughtful pacing rather than enforcement
• Design and implement practical systems that outlast individual personalities and support long-term sustainability
• Navigate tension, disagreement, and relational harm with steadiness, clarity, and relational integrity
• Use data and qualitative insight to identify patterns and inform meaningful organizational learning
• Balance clarity of standards with responsiveness to evolving organizational needs
• Communicate complex concepts in accessible ways across diverse audiences and levels of leadership.
• Build trust while holding appropriate boundaries and maintaining confidentiality

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

An equal Combination of education and practical experience in social justice, diversity, and inclusions with a personal orientation as a life-long learner.

EXPERIENCE:  

Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in leading anti-racist work in nonprofit, community-based, philanthropic, or similarly mission-driven contexts. Deep passion and expertise in the basic structures, systems and practical applications of anti-racism and equity work with three (3) years solid management experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills both virtually and in person. Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Non- Profit experience is desired but not required
• Ability to speak a second language is desired but not required

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:  

Certification or specialization in equity and inclusion is a plus.

DISCLAIMER: 

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics. 

BENEFITS AND OTHER COMPENSATION:

Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package this includes but is not limited to; medical/dental/ vision/ insurance, long term disability insurance, Life/AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 401(k) retirement plan, Vacation and Sick leave, 8 paid holidays; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Floating holidays for you to use should you observe a holiday not outlined in Northwest Harvests current observed holidays or at your discretion, and birthday holiday. Employees are eligible to participate in payroll deducted supplemental benefits i.e., Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE, various AFLAC and New York Life plans.

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please visit “Current Openings” page on the Northwest Harvest website and select the “OPEN POSITION TITLE” position. 

Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package this includes but is not limited to; medical/dental/ vision/ insurance, long term disability insurance, Life/AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 401(k) retirement plan, Vacation and Sick leave, 8 paid holidays; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Floating holidays for you to use should you observe a holiday not outlined in Northwest Harvests current observed holidays or at your discretion, and birthday holiday. Employees are eligible to participate in payroll deducted supplemental benefits i.e., Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE, various AFLAC and New York Life plans.

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