Job Description
Vice Chancellor/Chief Diversity Officer - Office of Inclusive Excellence - 47235-1A
Updated: Jan 4, 2023
Location: Irvine-Campus
Job Type:
Department: Office of Inclusive Excellence
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer. Reflecting an understanding of diversity as an institutional resource fundamental to the educational mission of the university, the Vice Chancellor is responsible for leading and coordinating the university's efforts to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and faculty, alumni and community. Reporting to the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Howard Gillman, the Vice Chancellor serves as UCI’s senior executive responsible for providing a holistic and integrated vision on all major diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for the campus, and UCI Health.
The successful candidate will be nationally recognized with strong scholarly visibility; substantial administrative and program-building experience; and demonstrated leadership as an innovator, convener, ambassador, collaborator, partner and catalyst in mobilizing leaders from various institutional and community sectors around diversity goals. Candidates must demonstrate sensitivity to a wide range of disciplines, interests and constituencies represented at UCI and a deep commitment to diversity as part of its public mission; the ability to design bold, creative and innovative initiatives; and the vision, charisma and collaborative acumen to command the respect and involvement of colleagues and community members to improve climate and outcomes. All confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to the parties listed at the end of this document.
About the University of California
In the nearly 150 years since its founding, the University of California has evolved into the world’s preeminent public research university system, with an annual operating budget of more than $24 billion. The UC comprises 10 campuses – Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara – which collectively enroll more than 234,000 students. The University also operates five medical centers – at Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco – as well as three affiliated national laboratories: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Together, UC institutions employ more than 208,000 faculty and staff and are supported by more than 1.6 million living alumni working around the world. Another half million people annually benefit from UC continuing education courses, as well as from the services and discoveries of UC-affiliated research centers and educational programs operating throughout California. For more about UC, see http://universityofcalifornia.edu .
UC Irvine Health operates as part of UC Health, which is the nation’s largest health science and medical training program, with more than 14,000 students annually enrolled in 17 health-sciences professional education programs. UC trains nearly half of the medical students in California. In addition to Irvine, UC Health operates medical centers in Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. UC Riverside is home to a new community-based medical school and UC Merced is expanding its health education opportunities to its students dedicated to serving the Central Valley. Together, the UC medical centers comprise the fourth-largest healthcare system in California, and deliver more than 147,000 inpatient discharges, 297,000 emergency room visits, and 3.9 million outpatient visits each year.
Role of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
The Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer (Vice Chancellor) serves as UCI’s senior executive responsible for providing a holistic and integrated vision on all major diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for the campus and UCI Health. Reflecting an understanding of diversity as an institutional resource fundamental to the educational mission of the university, the vice chancellor is responsible for leading and coordinating the university's efforts to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and faculty, alumni and community partners. The Vice Chancellor provides visionary and collaborative institutional leadership, working with the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, Academic Senate, Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity and Compliance, Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer and other campus leadership to facilitate an integrated vision and shared responsibility for advancing institutional goals and for fostering and affirming a campus culture based on our core values of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. With full authority and through key collaborative partnerships, the Vice Chancellor's broad areas of focus include high-level coordination of campus-wide diversity initiatives; strategic planning; training, education and research; community relations; policy development; compliance; campus climate issues; and communications.
The Vice Chancellor has the primary responsibility for guiding efforts to conceptualize, define, assess, nurture and cultivate diversity as an institutional value and educational resource. They will work at both the systemwide and local level to create a shared sense of responsibility for equity and inclusion among campus constituencies. The Vice Chancellor is also charged with assessing the effectiveness of all diversity and outreach programs and services across the organization, and is expected to lead UCI to measurable improvements in organizational climate and recruitment/retention in a large and diverse campus community. A critical metric of success will be measurable improvements in climate, recruitment, and retention of a diverse student body and workforce ( faculty, students, and staff).
The Vice Chancellor leads and supervises ongoing and regular assessments of campus climate, develops systems of accountability for reaching diversity goals and objectives, and coordinates reporting mechanisms to ensure that units are aligned with campus diversity goals. They also steward resources, including full time equivalent (FTE) faculty positions, and works closely with appropriate committees and campus and Academic Senate leadership to advance faculty diversity and equity and to promote an inclusive climate in UCI’s schools, divisions and departments.
Key Opportunities and Challenges for the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
To realize the full potential of current and future programs across the enterprise, and, in turn, shape a future of campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion, the Vice Chancellor must address and capitalize on the following key challenges and opportunities:
As the chief diversity officer of the campus, has principal responsibility for coordinating the planning, development, implementation, assessment and improvement of all diversity programs, policies, practices and supporting infrastructure.
In collaboration with the Chancellor’s Leadership Council, faculty, staff, and student leaders, develops and implements a strategic plan – aligned and integrated with the campus mission and strategies – with campus-wide goals on diversity, equity, and inclusion, focusing on overall campus climate, recruitment, and retention for students, faculty, and staff.
Responsible for establishing a new collaborative organizational model that helps UCI build the capacity to achieve the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals identified through a campus strategic plan.
Directly manages a portfolio of existing programs and services, and oversees and/or strengthens and coordinates linkages between this office and others across campus such that functions that include communications, data analysis, fundraising, and legislative/policy analysis are leveraged to meet the campus equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.
Works closely with other senior administrators, students, staff as well as other campus and community groups to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion that cut across faculty, students, and staff and divisional lines.
Serves as the campus research and resource partner on how best to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, acting as the campus spokesperson and clearinghouse for data and best practices on these issues.
Develops and recommends to the Chancellor an approach for the implementation, tracking, and assessment of the equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies, and in close collaboration with the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and other senior leaders, sets standards for success on equity, diversity, and inclusion on the campus.
Develops and implements assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of existing programs and services designed to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at UCI, and develops appropriate analyses and reports to allow ongoing evaluation.
Regularly assesses equity, diversity, and inclusion programs in all units, including budget allocations, for their effort and success in meeting campus-wide and unit specific goals for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion and recommends or takes actions to address shortcomings.
In collaboration with the Chancellor, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and the Academic Senate, and OEOD, works to reach consensus on best practices that will enhance diversity in faculty recruitment and retention.
In collaboration with Human Resources and OEOD, develops and implements best practices that will enhance diversity in staff recruitment.
In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs and with academic and student support units, develops and implements best practices that attract, enroll, and retain an excellent and diverse student body.
Effectively manages budgets allocated to the vice chancellor’s office to develop new programs and services that will advance the strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Facilitates internal and external communication strategies on the campus’ diversity objectives, including how these objectives are disseminated throughout the campus and larger community.
Advocates for effective diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and services throughout campus that support the university’s educational mission within federal and state legal constraints.
Effectively engages community groups to advance UCI values and mission in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Responsible for promoting an environment in which the highest standards of ethical conduct are understood to be a primary responsibility.
Represent UCI on relevant system-wide and community groups.
Qualifications and Characteristics
The ideal candidate will be nationally recognized with strong scholarly visibility; substantial administrative and program-building experience; and demonstrated leadership as an innovator, convener, ambassador, collaborator, partner and catalyst in mobilizing leaders from various institutional and community sectors around diversity goals. Candidates must demonstrate sensitivity to a wide range of disciplines, interests and constituencies represented at UCI and a deep commitment to diversity as part of its public mission; the ability to design bold, creative and innovative initiatives; and the vision, charisma and collaborative acumen to command the respect and involvement of colleagues and community members to improve climate and outcomes.
Requirements include:
- Demonstrated prior leadership in developing diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs with a complex organization.
- Deep knowledge in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion, including the historical and social context, the language/terms that have evolved, and the complexities of the intersection of these communities as evidenced by scholarly work, and demonstrated ability to translate that knowledge into practical applications.
- A record of success in facilitating effective partnerships with and between campus and community constituencies.
- Demonstrated experience as a strong leader through visible accomplishments, preferably in a research driven higher education setting.
- Experience leading large scale change projects.
- An understanding of affirmative action and equal opportunity regulations.
- Demonstrated experience and success in strategic planning, resource management, and student and faculty recruitment and retention.
- Proven success in, or aptitude for, external relations, communications, and development, and a distinguished record of scholarly achievement and intellectual leadership.
- Preference will be given to candidates with academic credential that merit appointment at the rank of full professor.
Total Compensation
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Additionally, candidates who live outside of the Irvine area (aligned with relocation policy) will be eligible to receive relocation assistance. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits .
Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations
UCI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu
Conditions of Employment:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters may be submitted here to the UCI website. Alternatively, interested candidates may contact our retained search partner, Korn Ferry, to learn more about this role and to formally express interest – Josh Ward, Senior Client Partner: Josh.Ward@KornFerry.com / 405.640.3994