Job Details

Director of Civil Rights and Title IX
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Position Number: 5108687
Location: Amherst, MA
Position Type: Multicultural Affairs and Affirmative Action

Amherst College, an institution that has demonstrated a steadfast confidence in the value of the liberal arts and the importance of critical thinking, invites nominations and applications for its next Director of Civil Rights and Title IX.

Founded in 1821, Amherst educates students of exceptional potential from all backgrounds so that they may seek, value, and advance knowledge; engage the world around them; and lead principled lives of consequence. As one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, diversity, equity and inclusion is foundational to an Amherst education, and this commitment fosters a vibrant intellectual community that looks like the world. The College has prioritized fostering a truly inclusive and equitable community for all students, faculty, and staff. Over these past two decades, diversity and academic excellence have increased in tandem, and the College's faculty has become markedly more diverse. This combination of academic quality and diversity uniquely positions Amherst College to rethink residential liberal arts education, adapting for a changing population and preparing to embrace and meet promises and challenges of the future. Amherst is also one of the few truly need-blind colleges in the nation: students are admitted without regard to financial need, and each admitted student is guaranteed financial aid equal to their demonstrated financial need. Today, half of Amherst students are domestic students of color; another 12% are international students; 16% are the first in the family to attend college; nearly 60% of students receive financial aid; and 22% are Pell-eligible students.

A commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that all students feel they belong are prominently featured in President Michael A. Elliott's priorities for the future, and the Director of Civil Rights and Title IX will join the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, a division that has grown from four to approximately 20 professional staff since 2016 and expanded its scope to lead the College to incorporate equity, restorative practices and accessibility; educational engagement with athletes and coaches; enhancing underrepresented students' opportunities for graduate studies and professional development; faculty recruitment, engagement, and retention; and support for localized efforts across the campus. Reporting to Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Sheree M. Ohen, the Director is the College's Title IX coordinator, leads the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, and oversees the work of the College's teams that review and respond to identity-based harm and Title IXconcerns: Title IX Team, Civil Rights Review Team, and Bias Education and Response Team.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in a related field and will be able to work from a deep knowledge of theory and practice of equity and inclusion, cultural awareness, various social and personal identities, intersectionality of identity in college student development in a global context, and intercultural concepts and issues as they apply within higher education. Demonstrated ability to interpret federal and state equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws and regulations and their impact on an institution of higher education and experience managing complaint resolution, investigations, and grievances, including Title IX; experience with creating and facilitating presentations, workshops, and trainings; and comfort with conflict; and the ability to manage difficult conversations will be essential for success. The Director must possess the ability to understand the needs of the College and its shared governance model; exhibit a keen understanding of and sensitivity to the concept of academic freedom; and demonstrate skill in building collaborative relationships with internal and external colleagues, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners. A master's degree is required. A juris doctorate or equivalent from an accredited law school is preferred, but not required. Higher education experience is preferred.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile available at www.wittkieffer.com.

WittKieffer is assisting Amherst College in this search. Review of materials has begun and will continue until an appointment has been made. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be submitted as soon as possible.

Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be directed to:

Charlene L. Aguilar, Ed.M. and Shelley Arakawa, J.D.

AmherstDirector-CRTIX@wittkieffer.com

Amherst College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Amherst College complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.