Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Job Description

JOB TITLE:                Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

SALARY RANGE:       $178,287- $234,002.00 + benefits

HAY POINTS:              1936

DEPT/DIV:                   Office of Diversity and Civil Rights
SUPERVISOR:          Chairman & CEO

LOCATION:              2 Broadway New York, NY 10004

HOURS OF WORK:   9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7 1/2 hours/day)

DEADLINE:              Open until filled  

In order to protect our employees and continue to provide safe and reliable service to our communities, as of November 14, 2021, we are requiring all new MTA hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date.  MTA will consider exceptions for religious and medical reasons, where appropriate.  “Fully vaccinated” means you must have both doses of a 2-dose vaccine and two weeks have elapsed since the second dose or have received 1 dose of a 1-dose vaccine and two weeks have elapsed since the dose.  Proof of your vaccination status in the form of a CDC vaccine card must be submitted prior to your start date.

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Chairperson & CEO, the Chief Diversity, and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) leads the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion activities for the MTAs workforce, business partners and customers.  The CDIO champions the importance and values of a diverse and inclusive MTA and leads the development of effective strategies to create a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization. The CDIO will collaborate with stakeholders to assess potential barriers and develop strategies to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and business partner portfolio.    The CDIO serves as MTA’s Executive Equal Employment Officer and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer.  The CDIO plans, develops, directs, manages, and provides executive oversight of the MTA’s diversity and inclusion strategies within the following Equal Opportunity Programs: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title VI, Small Business Development, NYS Minority, Women Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOBO) and the Unified Certification Programs. 

The CDIO provides strategic counsel to the MTA Executive Leadership Team and reports MTA-wide equal opportunity compliance statistics to the MTA Board of Directors and outside regulatory agencies.  Daily fiduciary duties of the CDIO include the administration of state and federally mandated programs and activities to ensure inclusion and nondiscrimination and the review, monitoring, and audit of MTA -wide activities to ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory and policy requirements as they relate to equal opportunity programs

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise the Chairperson & CEO on matters of policy, requirements, and best practices to advance equity, access, diversity and inclusion in all MTA activities, programs, and services.
• Provide briefings to the MTA’s Board to communicate and secure approval of compliance with state and federally mandated civil rights (nondiscrimination) programs.
• Work in conjunction with the MTA’s Operating Agency Presidents and their respective Procurement/EEO and Engineering staffs to ensure a harassment/bias-free work environment and that certified MWDBEs participate in the procurement processes.
• Consult with Agency Presidents, the Chief Development Officer, the Chief Operations Officer, the Chief Engineer, Legal, Human Resources, Procurement, Government and Community Relations, Planning and other relevant departments regarding policies and programs within the oversight of the CDIO.
• Perform high level administrative, technical, and professional work in directing and supervising the administration and day-to-day management of the MTA’s Equal Opportunity programs in accordance with city, state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Testify at trials, dispositions, arbitrations, and other hearings.
• Serve as official and primary MTA liaison to meet and confer with residents, community leaders, business entities, elected officials, oversight entities and outside agencies to discuss MTA policies and programs related to advancing a climate of inclusion within MTA’s high performing diverse workforce and procurement opportunities.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the MTA’s employment and procurement practices and their adherence to relevant city, state, and federal nondiscrimination guidelines; assess MTA activities, policies, and processes to determine compliance risks; identify opportunities for improvement and direct the implementation of change.
• Other duties as assigned by executive management.
• In conjunction with MTA Agency Presidents directs the various EEO Officers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advance a culture that defines “Equal Opportunity” as inclusion, diversity, equity and access for employees, customers, vendors, contractors, and diverse communities and embrace equal opportunity as an integral part of MTA decision making. Lead the development of a multi-pronged equal opportunity strategy that supports a transforming organization with a high performing workforce that accomplishes operational excellence.
• Develop and manage the MTAs Five Year New York State Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan.
• Identify and implement key initiatives that prioritize equal opportunity as the cornerstone to hiring, developing, and retaining a premier diverse workforce.
• Develop and implement Agency-wide uniform guidelines and policies pertaining to MWDBE/SDVOB issues.
• In conjunction with the MTA Department of Construction Oversight, manage and assure continued success of a small business mentoring program that provides prime construction opportunities and other development assistance to small businesses including Minority, Women-Owned Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business, (NYS funded and FTA (Federal Transit Administration) funded Programs).
• Develop, update, secure FTA approval and implement all aspects of the MTA-wide DBE program.
• Develop, update, secure FTA approval and implement all aspects of the MTA-wide EEO program.
• Develop, update, secure FTA approval and implement all aspects of the MTA-wide Title VI program.
• Develop, update secure NYS approval, and implement all aspects of the MWDBE and SDVOB programs.
• Develop the MTA’s nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy statements.
• Assist management in collecting and analyzing employment data, identify problem areas, set goals and timetables, and develop programs that will achieve goals.
• Design, implement and monitor internal auditing and reporting systems to measure program effectiveness to determine where proactive action is needed.
• Review the goals, strategies and initiatives related with the MTA’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Title VI Programs with all supervisory staff to ensure that they are accurately understood.
• Concur in the hiring and promotion process.
• In conjunction with Human Resources and Labor Relations, periodically review employment practices (e.g., hiring, promotions, training), complaint policies, reasonable accommodations policies, performance evaluations, grievance procedures, and union agreements.
• Report quarterly (at a minimum) to the Chairperson & CEO on each department’s progress in relation to the agency’s goals attainment for employees and contractors.
• Serve as a liaison between the MTA, Federal, State, county, and local governments; regulatory agencies and community groups representing minorities, women and persons with disabilities and others.
• Remain aware of current EEO laws and regulations and ensure the laws and regulations affecting nondiscrimination are disseminated to appropriate officials and staff.
• Investigate complaints of EEO discrimination.
• Provide EEO training for employees and managers.
• In conjunction with human resources, advise employees and applicants of available training programs and professional development opportunities and the entrance requirements.
• Audit postings of the EEO policy statement to ensure compliance information is posted and up to date.
• Once hiring gaps have been identified in conjunction with the Human Resource Department create strategies to improve the recruitment, hiring and retention of a diverse workforce.
• In conjunction with MTA Capital and Development create and implement outreach strategies in the recruitment of additional Minority, Women-Owned, Disadvantaged and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses for both “Prime” and “Subcontract/Subconsultant” opportunities.
• Creates innovative programs which increases procurement opportunities for certified MWDBE/SDVOB firms.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/BS from an accredited college or university in Business, Economics, marketing or related field or the equivalent work experience. An MBA in Business, Economics, Marketing, or related field is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in directing and managing MWDBE, Small Business Development, EEO/Title VI Programs, with emphasis on procurement, supplier diversity and the identification, recruitment, development, and mentoring of minority, women-owned and disadvantage business enterprises.
• Must have prior supervisory/leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, city and local laws governing nondiscrimination of employees, applicants, and contractors and mitigation of disproportionate impact/burden to communities.
• Proven experience in the review, assessment and qualifying of business financials and operations to determine operational effectiveness, profitability, and strategic growth.
• Proven experience in developing and mentoring emerging Minority, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
• Proven understanding and experience in the sourcing and procurement process, including the creation of an RFP, bid solicitation, and analysis, contract management, contract negotiation and managing project deadlines.
• Independent thinking skills are essential along with assessing small business development issues with the goal of developing strategic solutions. Excellent oral and written communication abilities are required along with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Individual should be a self-starter, able to work under pressure and be extremely detailed oriented.

Familiarity with the MTA’s business processes and procedures helpful.

OTHER INFORMATION:
As an employee of MTA Headquarters, you may be required to complete an annual financial disclosure statement with the State of New York, if your position earns more than $105,479 (this figure is subject to change) per year or if the position is designated as a policy maker.

HOW TO APPLY:

Email updated resumes pertinent to the Job Description ASAP exclusively to: BillBurgess@TheBurgessGroup.com. Include or later email 3 References: 1 Supervisor, 1 Peer, 1 Subordinate and a representative DIE Writing sample to complete Application. Any Questions visit www.TheBurgessGroup.com, call: 212.406.2400 or email.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.