Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Job Details

Description

Kilpatrick, a large international law firm, is seeking a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in our Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York or Washington, DC office.

This position will lead the comprehensive effort to develop and implement the Firm’s short- and long-term diversity strategies and programs with emphasis on creating a culture of belonging in the Firm, with focus on attracting, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce that meets the talent needs of the Firm’s evolving business.

At Kilpatrick we are one team where each person plays an integral role in serving the needs of our clients. The firm has a strong dedication to its employees, values, diversity and inclusion initiatives and commitment to the community.

While the Chief D&I Officer will report to the Firm’s Managing Partner, this professional will also work closely with the Talent Management Director, the D&I Council, the Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer, and the Diversity & Inclusion team.

In the role, the Chief D&I Officer will work with these groups as well as the Firm departments to develop, implement, reinforce, and advance the components of our Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Strategy.

This role requires a thought leader who is highly capable of serving as a positive role model and mentor regarding the breadth of diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Firm, while executing, delivering measurable results across the organization, and collaborating with key senior business and function leaders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

• Serve as a thought leader in the diversity and inclusion discipline and workforce culture transformation. Build and maintain strong relationships with department, team, office, and functional leaders to identify and leverage diversity and marketing opportunities.
• Partner with Talent Management and other specialist teams to integrate D&I into Firm’s training, mentoring, and talent management processes and procedures.
• Function as the diversity and inclusion information resource to the Firm’s Management Committee.
• Maintain and continue to develop expert knowledge of diversity and inclusion by researching effective diversity best practices, monitoring industry developments, evaluating emerging trends, and conducting benchmark comparisons.
• Regularly consult and engage with external diversity and inclusion professionals to identify best practices and determine applicability to the Firm, by attending conferences / events, networking with relevant external professionals, and maintaining membership in the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals (ALFDP) or similar organizations.
• Work with the Diversity and Inclusion team to manage external and internal inquiries regarding diversity and inclusion.
• Work with the Diversity and Inclusion team to manage the Firm’s diversity and inclusion budget with particular emphasis on areas with the greatest potential for return on investment.
• Work with the recruiting teams to increase the pipeline of qualified attorneys from demographic backgrounds historically underrepresented in the practice of law and at the Firm and monitor trends in the recruiting and selection processes.
• Serve on and lend diversity and inclusion expertise to the Firm’s Hiring Committee.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders on the Shares Committee to provide support in the area of diversity and inclusion and Shares Committee.
• Represent the Firm externally as it relates to diversity and inclusion initiatives, identifying opportunities to bring awareness to the Firm’s position as a D & I leader in the legal arena and beyond, including such things as speaking, writing, and being active on relevant social media platforms.
• Develop meaningful tools and analytics that enable leadership to evaluate diversity and inclusion performance and integration.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS REQUIRED :

• A minimum of 10 to 15 years of broad-based experience in law Firm, financial services Firm, or professional services Firm environment;
• Successful experience operating as a functional leader, either at the C-level or in a second-in-command role, interfacing with key stakeholders, contributing to organizational strategy / direction, directing, and managing a team, and presenting to other executives;
• Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives, particularly in a professional service environment;
• Strong understanding of complex issues that impact diversity and inclusion in the workplace;
• Ability to think creatively in the area of diversity and inclusion programming;
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice;
• Outstanding people skills, high EQ and maturity, and demonstrated success collaborating and leading in a consensus-driven, complex, organization;
• Ability to lead through influence rather than control, and to create consensus-based support for business strategies and decisions;
• Be an energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards;
• Ability to define a vision / direction for the Firm and provide strategic guidance to attorneys and professional staff;
• Be service-oriented, responsive, collegial, and committed to excellence consistent with the Firm’s culture and core values;
• Capable of handling confidential issues with sensitivity and discretion;
• Must be able to rapidly analyze, judge, anticipate consequences, decide, initiate action, determine follow-through, and take corrective action;
• manage and direct a small size staff as well as multiple projects with multiple variables;
• Proven success mentoring, managing, and developing high-performing teams, committed to the highest levels of team-orientation, client service, and professional excellence.

This is a full-time, regular position with a multi-faceted health benefit package including medical, dental, and vision.

The firm also offers life insurance, short term disability plans and retirement plans in addition to holidays and paid time off.

The firm offers hybrid work schedules combining in office work days as well as remote work days. The pay range for this position is $275,000 to $350,000 annually.

Selected applicants will be contacted. Kilpatrick is an Equal Opportunity

Employer.