Senior Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Volunteer Cultivation

The Optical Society (OSA) is recruiting for a Senior Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Volunteer Cultivation. The responsibility of the Senior Director, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Volunteer Cultivation is to ensure the continuous cultivation of a diverse and dynamic pool of volunteers and members for OSA by i) researching, recruiting and building relationships with the volunteer community; and  ii) management of volunteer events/activities. Current diversity and inclusion metrics for OSA include geography, professional affiliation (academia, industry, government), career experience, gender, race, sexual orientation among others. The senior director manages and oversees OSA’s organization-wide D&I vision and strategy, partnering with OSA’s executive team, volunteer committee(s) and the Board to drive organization-wide D&I initiatives inclusive of policies, programs, and processes. This role is a critical liaison between OSA’s business units, its membership and the broader optics and photonics community.

The Senior Director, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Volunteer Cultivation is an energetic and articulate individual with strong communication and interpersonal skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Research and recruit a diverse pool of leading scientists, engineers and business professionals (e.g., identification/cultivation of thought-leaders in targeted fields, ensuring that volunteers continue to be engaged in OSA activities)
2. Consult organization’s leaders in developing and integrating D&I management goals and strategies into all business and planning processes and practices.
3. Create and foster safe spaces for honest and practical dialogue around D&I while challenging conventional wisdom
4. Develop and integrate analytics-driven D&I strategies and tactics that align with OSA objectives products, culture, community, people, and industry
5. Establish consistent metrics and reporting to enable performance assessment, inform decisions achieving objectives, and ROI
6. Conduct bench-marking for best-in-class, data driven D&I practices; enhance D&I practices through market/industry trends and best practices
7. Create and execute D&I communications, including an internal and external plans to increase awareness, as well as an ongoing and inspiring narrative supporting key stakeholder relationships and volunteer pipeline building. 
8. Build coalitions with partners and external stakeholders that increase D&I in the optics and photonics community
9. Partner closely with key stake-holders and partners to ensure D&I appropriate marketing and branding solutions, customer interactions, and community engagement

10. Celebrate and recognize member accomplishments, awards and accolades (e.g. certificates, congratulatory notes, letters, reports, osa.org, OPN)
11. Manage global and regional holiday recognitions
12. Coordinate all aspects of the OSA Election to include candidate selection, vendor liaison, promotion, logistics, monitoring of voting, and preparing materials for Board of Directors.
13. Serve as staff liaison to assigned Committees including but not limited to: budget planning, communications, planning timeline, facilities set-up, program, and program participants

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Master’s degree or higher
2. 7-10 years of experience within a global, complex, and high-growth organization
3. Multi-cultural sensitivity in areas of D&I nationally and internationally; knowledge of diversity best practices, concepts and programs
4. Prior volunteer, program and event management
5. An understanding of the science and engineering ecosystem

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong interpersonal and communications skills including demonstrated facilitation and presentation skills; capacity to conduct presentations for all levels of the organization
2. Ability to influence without authority, think proactively, and function independently
3. Curious learner who can translate bold thinking and strategies into practical solutions
4. Strong business acumen and bottom-line orientation; comfortable in quantitative and qualitative environments; high level of comfort with data-driven decision making
5. Ability to develop quick turn-around, practical recommendations
6. Self-starter; comfortable in a constantly evolving, dynamic and fast-moving organization
7. Tenacious and naturally optimistic with proven ability to execute
8. Handle complex and multiple priorities; manages time effectively with focus on high-priority opportunities; takes measured risks and action in the face of uncertainty
9. Ability to travel approximately 3-4 times per year
10. Proficiency in Microsoft/Windows and database applications (net FORUM preferred)

OSA offers a competitive salary and benefits. Please send your resume and cover letter with salary requirements to resumes@osa.org.