Vice President of Inclusive Excellence (19001)

Location:

Washington, DC, US, 20016

Company:
American University

Get to Know American University

At American University we value open and honest inquiry, servant leadership, and the affirmation of the human dignity of all. We envision a thriving AU community where individuals of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included, and where equitable treatment, opportunities, and outcomes prevail. 

Our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff represent every state and more than 150 countries. Our internationally recognized faculty are today’s thought leaders in the areas of public policy, law, the arts, communications, international development, and more. Our staff are innovative, service-oriented, and dedicated to moving the university towards achieving its strategic goals. We are committed to an excellent experience for all of our students, faculty and staff and share a passion for creating change through our knowledge and our work. 

Learn more about American University by clicking here.  

Application Instructions

Isaacson, Miller, Inc. is assisting American University in identifying its first Vice President for Inclusive Excellence. Interested candidates, or to nominate someone for this position please submit a resume and a letter of interest for the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence position at American University at the IM website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/american-university/vice-president-inclusive-excellence.

Summary/Objective

American University (AU or the University) seeks a strategic, experienced, and unifying leader to serve as its Vice President for Inclusive Excellence (VPIE). This is an exciting opportunity to build, lead, and advance inclusive excellence (IE) at a private, student-centered research institution in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. A vital member of the AU leadership team, the VPIE will infuse a culture of inclusive excellence throughout all aspects of the University and demonstrate with clarity and purpose how the University is operationalizing inclusive excellence through people, programs, and resources.

American University’s sustained momentum across scholarship and learning illustrates how the community boldly embraces opportunities for greater impact, with innovative work underway to fulfill its ambitious strategic plan, Changemakers for a Changing World. The plan focuses on priorities to enhance research, transform the student experience inside and outside the classroom, expand lifelong learning, pursue inclusive excellence, augment AU’s relationship with the Washington, DC region, and improve AU’s operational effectiveness. A centerpiece of AU’s strategic plan is the University’s Plan for Inclusive Excellence, through which the University is advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Developed under the leadership of President Sylvia M. Burwell, the centerpiece of the plan is the principle that American University cannot be excellent without being truly inclusive.

Essential Functions

Building upon the strong foundation that already exists, the Vice President of Inclusive Excellence (VPIE) will address the following challenges and strive to use them as opportunities to advance and strengthen inclusive excellence at AU:

1. Define and infuse a culture of inclusive excellence: The VPIE will cultivate a climate and culture at AU that affirms, recognizes, and lifts the experiences of those who have been underrepresented and historically excluded, and enhances belonging among members of these groups as well as veterans, people with disabilities, and other communities.
2. Build, support, and lead a proactive and responsive office structure and team: The VPIE will inherit a dedicated and talented team and, as such, will have the opportunity to reimagine the office’s structure with increased capacity to deliver on its mission. 
3. Strategically align existing programs and resources: The VPIE will develop and implement a vision for inclusive excellence in partnership with key stakeholders; this vision will help guide a comprehensive and integrated approach to inclusive excellence, synchronizing and leveraging current efforts and initiatives and introducing new concrete actions to move AU forward in this crucial area.
4. Increase visibility, awareness, and transparency: The VPIE must be a strong communicator who can galvanize others and enroll them in the shared endeavor of Inclusive Excellence that necessarily comprises multiple, complex moving parts and differentiated contexts. 
5. Advise and collaborate with the President and cabinet: The elevation of this inaugural role to a cabinet-level position demonstrates American’s commitment to advancing Inclusive Excellence. The VPIE will be a vital member of the institution’s senior leadership and will work closely with the President and other cabinet members to drive visionary change and growth. 

Supervisory Responsibility

The VPIE’s direct reports include:

• Assistant Vice President for AVP for Equity & Title IX Coordinator.
• Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time, 35 hours/week.
• Executive.
• Exempt.
• Hybrid work modality.
• Work will be performed on site in Washington, DC. 
• Travel for nights and weekends are required at times.

Salary Range

• Salary is commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 8-10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following qualifications:

• A demonstrated track record of inspirational leadership advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies in a complex higher education environment;
• Knowledge and familiarity with compliance demands in the context of complex policies, such as Title IX, Affirmative Action/EEO, Title IV, Title VII, Clery Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, with legal and civil rights implications.
• A deep understanding of power structures, privilege differentials, and institutional systems that foster systemic inequities.
• Experienced coalition builder with the ability to mobilize leaders within a large organizational context; an understanding of shared governance structures.
• A seasoned administrator and manager with experience operationalizing a shared vision and deploying resources.
• A person who is self-aware, reflective, value-driven, and seeks continuous learning and growth.
• Demonstrated cultural humility and an ability to listen deeply to individuals of diverse cultures and perspectives.
• High energy, intellectual curiosity, and passion for the work of a student-centered research university.
• The highest integrity, wisdom, humor, emotional intelligence, and can-do attitude; adept at conflict management; even-keeled and calm when leading through challenges and capable of exercising a high degree of diplomacy and strict discretion.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University’s unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Current American University Employees

If you are a current employee at American University, please log into AsuccessfulU through the myAU portal. Once in AsuccessfulU, please select the Careers tile which will take you to our internal career page. 

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC