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Position Summary  

The Head of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) develops, in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the strategic direction for AFP’s IDEA commitment. This person is responsible for conceptualizing, executing, implementing, and measuring the success of IDEA principles and practices across the entire organization, including but not limited to: IDEA programs and initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to build an IDEA department with support from the CEO, while leading strategy and implementation across all departments.

Overarching Responsibilities

Primary Externally Facing Job Responsibilities

• Educates and supports chapters on relevant topics to augment and enhance IDEA programs
• Builds strategic partnerships with chapters
• Researches, shares, and implements best practices with members and chapters
• Collaborates with members and chapters to ensure application of IDEA initiatives
• Interfaces with the AFP Boards of Directors, AFP committees and chapter leaders
• Establishes relationships with other professional organizations and special interest groups for networking and information exchange
• Creates and sustains relationships with diverse partner organizations
• Establishes, aligns, and integrates a wide range of programs, policies, and initiatives to ensure the achievement of a diverse membership community
• Collaborates with program leads on IDEA efforts such as section programs, emerging leaders, etc.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Represents the IDEA department across the association and members
• Creates and manages the IDEA budget
• Builds, manages, and maintains relationships with volunteers, vendors, third parties, and division leaders within the organization to explore new and effective ways to support the IDEA programs and initiatives
• Maintains effective working relationships with management, staff, members, volunteers, board members, committees, and stakeholders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop and implement IDEA programs and initiatives
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting short deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated strong business judgment and decision-making skills with the ability to identify, prioritize and articulate highest impact initiatives
• Mission-focused, relationship-oriented, a collaborator, results-driven, detailed oriented, change resilient, a continuous learner, and able to take initiative
• Ability to understand and work with complex relationships; function well in a volunteer-driven decision-making environment; and moderate opposing viewpoints
• Able to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic development plans
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborating with and motivating a diverse group of people
• Appreciates and values a variety of staff and volunteer opinions
• Role model for and driver of a culture of philanthropy, learning and accountability.
• Decisive and resourceful with the ability to anticipate and act on opportunities quickly
• Superior commitment to members and chapters
• Meticulous attention to detail balanced with ability to see the broad vision for the association’s member services
• Demonstrated accountability, learning agility, and experience in leading and motivating staff in a collaborative team environment

Impact on End Results

The major objective for this role is to develop, administer, grow and monitor all IDEA programs and initiatives internally and externally at AFP Global HQ. 

Qualifications

• 5 – 10 + years of relevant experience, with 3-5 years in a strategic or operational Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (IDEA) position
• IDEA positions could include program development, learning and development, or organizational development
• Proven success in the development, implementation, and evaluation of IDEA programs and initiatives at all organizational levels (Board, Executive, and Staff levels)
• Knowledge of professional educational programs
• Demonstrates a proven ability in developing and supporting continuous improvement principles utilizing a systemic approach and data for decision-making
• Experience leading transformational or organizational change
• Demonstrated experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and strategic plans
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, simultaneous assignments and set appropriate priorities
• Outstanding professionalism and interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Outlook
• Serious commitment to providing excellent customer service
• Experience working and building teams with volunteers and committees.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and managing budgets, hiring, training, developing, supervising and evaluating staff.