Chief Diversity Officer of the Americas
: Job Details :

Role purposeDEI is a publicly stated strategic priority for the firm. Working with the US DEI stakeholders and the Chiefs of other business services functions in the Americas, the role will be responsible for developing and implementing the US DEI strategy and furthering the firm's global DEI goals supporting and furthering the efforts in the following key areas:

Key relationshipsSenior Management of the AmericasUS & Global DEI partner and Committee, US partnersChiefs of the business support functions, Affinity networksClients of the firm, as supported by the partnersDEI Organizations in the US (ABA, NYC Bar Office on Diversity, MCAA, Diversity Lab)

Role & Responsibilities• In consultation with US Management and key stakeholders, develop and implement the US DEI strategy and programs• Foster and enhance inclusivity and increase the representation of minorities and women at all levels• Work with HR to assist the US in attracting, retaining, and advancing top talent from diverse backgrounds. Design and implement talent management processes and systems to increase diversity of the leadership team over time• Lead implementation of core elements of the firm's strategic DEI initiatives in the US, including Mansfield Rule participation, Pride Month, DEI REACH, implicit bias education, etc.• Work with the affinity groups to develop annual plans, including budgetary processing, continuously improving operations and effectiveness.• In consultation with the CHRO, ensure DEI perspectives are included in US pipeline initiatives, the Summer Associate Program, the US recruitment strategy, retention, advancement, and education.• Partner with HR on inclusive policy development and implementation.• Assist in the development and facilitation of diversity seminars, workshops, and training for all employees• Serve as a subject matter expert to colleagues to increase DEI within the firm• Collaborate with other regional and global DEI professionals to share best practices, promote new activities that will further DEI across the global firm• Build and influence internal stakeholder relationships, allies, and DEI champions to promote the DEI agenda within the Americas and globally.

Client & Market Facing• Attend and speak at DEI conferences and panels focused on US-based law firm diversity efforts to facilitate relationships between individuals at the firm and leading DEI organizations in the US• Participate in industry DEI forums and seek opportunities to work collaboratively with Chief DEI Officers at client and potential client organizations• Monitor external DEI best practices and make recommendations for new initiatives to ensure that the firm is a leader in the DEI space• Oversee diversity-related external surveys in the US, including external diversity benchmarking surveys, RFP responses, and client surveys. Work in conjunction with Marketing and BD, Finance, and HR in the US to collect and compile statistical diversity data for client and industry surveys, and internal stakeholders• Develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of DEI initiatives, assess the outcomes of those initiatives; benchmark US practice initiatives against evolving best practices in the legal industry. Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Board, management, and stakeholders on the value of the initiatives.• Work with the US communications team to create and distribute internal communications regarding DEI including but not limited to updates on DEI efforts, and celebratory DEI communications; ensure DEI communications reflect firm values and are aligned with firm priorities• Work with Marketing and BD in the US to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are reflected in client-facing and other practice group/industry group BD activities• Supervise the US practice's relationships with various diversity pipeline organizations• Strengthen and develop external relationships with diversity-related organizations, thought leaders, and vendors• Develop key communications about the US and wider firm's diversity initiatives, including the production of client brochures, and website content relating to diversity and inclusion• Work with the communications team in the US to develop a strategy for participating in key surveys to ensure that the US practice is getting appropriate coverage.

TeamThere is one direct report to support this role.

Key requirements• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, preferably in corporate or law firm environments with significant responsibility and expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.• Excellent track record in culture change at a senior level in a corporate, finance, professional services, consultancy, or law firm• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the Partner community, building and developing strong client relationships• Cross-cultural skills and awareness related to individuals from broad backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, among others.• High level of proficiency with data management, analysis, and reporting.• Superior judgment and ability to deal discreetly with confidential information.• Ability to interact well and build professional relationships with a collaborative approach to working with all levels and departments.• Experience of crafting a strategy and supporting documentation and executing strategy• Ability to flex communication style depending on the audience and to challenge and disrupt existing thinking with nuanced arguments around business case, barriers, and benefits of DEI• Ability to deal sensitively with difficult issues and personalities and to move individuals and groups toward a common goal• Media trained and experience of dealing with the media and of acting as a spokesperson more broadly• A strong network of peers, external experts, and suppliers• Collaborative team player with the ability to nurture and work in a fast-paced, intellectually rigorous environment• High energy individual who enjoys both the operational and strategic sides of this role and shows great flexibility• Resilient; able to understand that credibility has to be earned in this environment and may take time. A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility in the organization and act as a trusted advisor to Senior Management in the US.