Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist

Foley Hoag seeks a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist to support the delivery of high-impact programming integrating topics of DEI aimed at cultivating engagement, increasing cultural awareness and sensitivity, and further elevating a comprehensive and strategic framework in support of inclusive excellence firm-wide. Reporting to the Director, the Senior Specialist will assist in the implementation of a communication plan that supports the DEI strategy both internally and externally; leverage data, both quantitative and qualitative, to inform decision making; coordinate events planning; provide affinity group support; and collaborate with other firm departments on DEI-related initiatives and activities as needed.

The ideal candidate will bring the ability to help drive data-informed strategies, supported by skills in Excel reporting, analysis, interpretation, and presentation; high work standards in support of accurate and professional work products; and knowledge of current research and theoretical models related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communication

• Partner with the DEI Director to create DEI marketing materials, resources, toolkits, brochures, and reports.
• In partnership with DEI Manager, help facilitate onboarding coffee-chats for new hires and remain accessible to all new hires during the onboarding period.
• In collaboration with the firm’s Business Development Department, create, highlight, and share DEI stories and successes through the firm’s newsletters, websites, and social media channels.
• Ensure DEI content on the firm’s intranet and external website remains relevant and updated to showcase achievements and milestones.
• Create promotional materials for recruitment, client interactions, hiring events and other events.
• Develop and produce the monthly DEI newsletter from concept through completion, delivering polished, publication-ready drafts with minimal supervision.
• Create and maintain an accurate, user-friendly multifaith calendar, ensuring it is regularly updated and easily accessible.

Survey Administration & Data Analytics 

• Under supervision, manage DEI industry surveys, RFPs and other client requests (preparation, completion, reporting of results, recommendations, and post-actions)
• In partnership with the DEI Manager, create program evaluations to assess the effectiveness of DEI-related strategies and programming, providing regular reports to the DEI team.
• Maintain knowledge on current and emerging developments/trends assessing the firm’s impact and collaborate with the DEI team to incorporate new trends and developments in current and future initiatives.

Affinity Group Support

• Provide effective support, guidance, and oversight to our Women’s Forum, nine (9) Affinity Groups (AG), and their leadership teams ensuring a self-sustaining model with capabilities to support the DEI strategy and objectives.
• Lead Affinity Groups operations including onboarding, training, annual action planning, guidelines and templates; oversee membership engagement activities and work to ensure consistent execution in alignment with budgetary requirements.
• Manage and oversee the AG membership process, including maintaining accurate, up-to-date listservs, ensuring they are well-publicized and easily accessible to relevant stakeholders.
• Serve as the ambassador to key stakeholders promoting the value proposition to better engage with current and future employees and leaders.

Events Management

• Support the full logistical lifecycle of programs/events from start to finish; working with the Senior DEI Coordinator, help to oversee administrative and budget tasks for virtual and live events, including date/room clearance, on-site event management, invitations, coordination of panelists and speakers, communications, social media, scheduling and running tech rehearsals, and post-event follow-up, including all invoicing/payments, tracking attendance, working with other offices, drafting follow-up correspondence, logging activities and tracking feedback.
• Working with the DEI Manager, oversee the CLE process for programming/events that qualify.

Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience supporting DEI initiatives or transferrable skills in data analysis, marketing, or events planning required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of DEI topics, such as identity, intersectionality, privilege and power, unconscious bias, micro-aggressions, inclusive leadership, improving culture, cultural humility, and intergroup and intra-group dynamics and dialogue.
• Event planning experience required.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level attention to detail, delivering high quality, accurate work product.
• Self-starter with intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in continuous learning and professional growth.
• Advanced skills in analyzing, researching, interpreting and synthesizing large amounts of data with the ability to tell a persuasive story behind the data.
• Strong technical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office, with particular emphasis on PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel.
• Marketing and branding exposure and/or experience is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated excellence in effective communication (verbal, written, listening skills), with ability to create and deliver presentations for a wide variety of audiences.
• Highly organized with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and work independently under tight deadlines.
• Ability to quickly develop rapport with others and establish positive working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a high level of emotional intelligence, the ability to exercise discretion dealing with confidential and sensitive information, maintain neutrality, and lead difficult conversations.
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment in seeking/proposing a resolution.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and work product.

Compensation range is $88,200 to $110,300 commensurate with related experience and qualification. The salary of the candidate selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, experience, specialty, and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the firm's reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.