Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Director, Equity & Compliance to join the Equity & Compliance department. In accordance with upholding federal law, Equity & Compliance helps create a learning, living and working environment free from discrimination by implementing inclusive policies and values that align with RISD community values. The department is committed to providing equitable response to community issues involving discrimination as well as providing support to members of our community navigating discriminatory behaviors.

This position sustains RISD’s Title IX Program through thoughtful, intentional, equitable, and inclusive practices, programs, trainings, and workshops while also ensuring compliance. Charged with planning, organizing, and implementing RISD’s compliance with federal and state regulations, this role will ensure RISD’s commitment to creating a safe learning, living and working environment, free of discrimination and harassment, through the development and implementation of campus policies, procedures, and practices in compliance with Title IX, VAWA/Campus SaVE Act, and other applicable law, policy, and regulations. The incumbent is responsible for receiving and providing timely responses to sexual harassment and misconduct complaints, strategically developing, overseeing, educating and implementing prevention education and response efforts within the RISD community, with particular emphasis on sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, cyber stalking and sex/gender discrimination. They will also support and assist in overall College compliance with RISD’s Non-Discrimination Policy. Maintains a high level of awareness of new and existing legislation and best practices through ongoing professional development; engages appropriate internal and external groups to discuss impact/affect and to solicit feedback; and builds and leverages partnerships to enhance awareness and foster support.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

Informed & Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the design, implementation, and assessment of innovative programs and initiatives that ensure equity and compliance at the institution.

• Draw from existing scholarship and evidence-based practices to provide leadership, forward thinking, and strategic direction for equity and compliance work of the institution. 

• Conduct research and information gathering on topics pertinent to equity and compliance in higher education to better understand trends and issues and to identify operational models and approaches for consideration. 

• Compile, analyze, and summarize data for projects, presentations, and reports with an in-depth understanding of institutional and divisional goals and priorities, as well as prepare summary findings on matters of significance, highlighting areas of interest, opportunity, and concern. 

• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and the college community on issues related to equity and compliance; proactively monitor and provide timely and balanced views of current and emerging campus trends and issues; and identify, frame, create, and implement solution-orientated interventions to address related issues.

• Represent the unit with a comprehensive understanding of divisional and institutional priorities.

• Work directly with key partners in Student Life, Public Safety, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, and General Counsel to ensure alignment and synergy across units.

• Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with external stakeholders, including support and response agencies

Compliance & Regulation:

• Design, implement, evaluate, and oversee systems and programs to ensure and sustain institutional compliance with all related local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and industry standards.  

• Administer cyclical regulatory requirements for reporting, campus publications and materials, policy reviews and evaluations, training programs, and education.

• Enact processes to collect data for internal assessment and annual reporting on key unit metrics that analyze support and resources, trends, and potential growth opportunities. 

• Maintain awareness of new and existing legislation and best practices.

Case Management & Investigations:

• Manage workflow, operations, and procedures related to formal and informal reports and complaints (cases) as outlined in institutional policies.  

• Ensure the implementation of effective case management and timelines, investigatory protocols and tracking, case-specific interim measures, protocols and systems for reporting, documentation, record-keeping.  

• Oversee prompt, equitable, and impartial administrative investigations.

• Serve as the backup investigator as needed: identify and interview parties and witnesses; gather, assess, and review information and evidence relevant to the investigation; apply relevant laws and policies; and/or make findings of fact in individual cases.

• Provide timely updates to relevant individuals.

Education & Training: 

• Direct, oversee, and assess educational programs and trainings and ensure that all required training programs, including Title IX programs, publications, and materials are current and enacted.

• Plan, implement, and assess informational resources, workshops, and training for students, faculty, and staff on equity and compliance, including bias, discrimination, harassment, bystander intervention, response, and referral best practices. 

 

Supervising & Management: 

• Manage unit staff and ensure the successful administration and function of the unit through a careful balance of leadership and delegation

• Manage, and participate in, on-call protocols and staffing to ensure year-round, 24/7 on-call coverage and response for the RISD community related to bias, discriminatory harassment, Title IX, and sexual misconduct emergency calls

• Manage the financial resources of the unit; expertly use the institution’s budget and spending management system, understanding expense trends, ensuring budget items are accurately tracked and resolved

Additional Functions:

• Serve as a backup to the Title IX Coordinator

• Actively serve on committees related to the work of the unit and division 

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Master's degree in Law, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Education or a related field

• Minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience 

• Demonstrated knowledge of Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, VAWA, Campus SaVE Act, ADA/504, and Clery Act and ability to translate this knowledge to practical application 

• Significant experience with law, conduct, campus safety, victim advocacy and/or compliance in higher education

• Demonstrated cultural humility and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of the institution’s students, faculty, and staff. Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

• Discretion and confidentiality and the ability to engage, motivate, and sustain relationships, and ability to foster relationships and influence others where there is not a direct line of reporting

• Excellent public speaking and facilitation skills, written and oral communication skills

• Strong computer skills, data analytics and assessment skills

• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow-up, follow-through, multi-task, set priorities, and adhere to deadlines

• Strong organizational skills and work ethic

• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a high-level administrative team

• Excellent supervision and mentoring skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree or equivalent advanced degree

• Experience at a higher education institution 

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12  months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt; Regular

Grade:

555EX

Work Modality

Hybrid-Eligible

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

For internal use only - Job Family:

Social Equity & Inclusion