Asst/Assoc Vice President (AVP) for Diversity & Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) UConn Health

Asst/Assoc Vice President (AVP) for Diversity & Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) UConn Health

JOB SUMMARY

University of Connecticut (UConn) Health and the University of Connecticut are pleased to invite inquiries, nominations and applications for the inaugural role of Assistant/Associate Vice President (AVP) for Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) at UConn Health.  This is an executive position that reports dually to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UConn Health, and the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Connecticut.  The AVP/CDO will be responsible for providing transformative leadership, vision and direction for critical diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in UConn Health’s pursuit of inclusive excellence.

Founded in 1881, UConn is among the Nation’s Top 25 Public Universities, according to US News & World Report.  UConn Health is a vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care.  With its main campus in Farmington, UConn Health is home to the UConn School of Medicine, UConn School of Dental Medicine, UConn John Dempsey Hospital, Outpatient Pavilion, Musculoskeletal Institute and Surgery Center, Procedures Center, nine off-campus sites, and eight additional community locations across the state.  UConn Health is home to more than 3,670 student, trainee, faculty and staff members of the Husky community.

The University of Connecticut strives to nurture a community that welcomes, encourages, and supports individuals who desire to contribute to and benefit from the institution’s missions of teaching, research, performance, and community service. The University is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment, where differences are welcomed and valued.  The fabric of diversity, equity and inclusion at UConn must be woven within a climate in which diverse views are welcomed and respected, and in which there is a commonality that comes from working together to effect constructive change.

UConn aims to become stronger and more inclusive as an institution that explicitly promotes respect and understanding, broadens participation among underrepresented groups, advances cultural competence, celebrates intellectual openness and multiculturalism, and welcomes varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.  Since its founding in 1961, UConn Health has been committed to human health and well-being, and in just over 50 years, has established a strong foundation of innovative education, high quality and accessible clinical care, and groundbreaking research. Additional information about the UConn Health can be found at https://health.uconn.edu/.    

Scope of Position

The AVP/CDO will work closely with academic, research, and clinical care leaders across the organization to identify and advance diversity, equity and inclusion strategic priorities for students, trainees, faculty, staff, patients, families and community members.  This work will align with and further advance UConn Health’s mission of helping people achieve and maintain healthy lives and restoring wellness/health to maximum attainable levels.  The AVP/CDO will utilize proven methodologies, innovative programming, and a data-driven, analytics-based approach to drive a culture of transformation, assessment and accountability. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Responsibilities

• Bolster diversity, equity, inclusion
• Improve overall recruitment, retention, advancement and success of members of underrepresented groups
• Enhance communication and engagement among stakeholders
• Encourage collaboration across the organization
• Identify exemplary practices and leverage collective resources

Key Opportunities and Expectations

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define diversity, equity and inclusion within the context of UConn Health
• Identify institutional diversity, equity and inclusion values, and fold those principles into UConn Health’s service philosophy
• Articulate diversity, equity and inclusion strategic priorities and actions
• Develop performance metrics
• Implement and monitor progress
• Establish and enforce accountability

As a newly created position, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UConn Health and the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at UConn continue to meet with the community and focus groups at UConn Health to further refine this position’s duties and accountabilities.  A more detailed position profile will be presented to applicants selected for interview. 

This is an opportunity for a recognized leader in the science and practice of diversity, equity and inclusion to join an organization and broader university community that has demonstrated its commitment to institutional values and community standards in various tangible ways.  In July 2020, UConn named Dr. Frank Tuitt, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.  Dr. Tuitt has over two decades of higher education administration experience and most recently served as Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Denver.  The UConn Health AVP/CDEIO will work closely with Dr. Tuitt and be a thought partner, strategic leader and implementer across UConn Health.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree or advanced degree in health professions or a related field.
• Seven to nine years of management experience within an academic medical center, or institution of higher education (previous experience in healthcare related to clinical care, public health practice, research, teaching, and/or training is preferred).
• Knowledge of and demonstrated practice in the science of diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare or higher education.
• Individual record of significant contributions in the areas of biomedical research, clinical or public health practice, health disparities/health inequities research, or related fields.
• Understanding of classroom and clinical training experiences within an academic medical center, and associated challenges and opportunities for innovation in diversity, equity and inclusion.
• A high level of conceptual thinking and strategic actions taken through utilization of an anti-racist and social justice framework.
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique challenges and complex histories of the exclusion and unauthorized and inhumane treatment of members of underrepresented groups in medicine and clinical care settings.
• Documented history of successfully developing, implementing and advancing strategic diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in a matrixed organization. 
• Reflect a commitment to and knowledge of the higher education landscape and its unique challenges.
• Experience overseeing diversity and inclusion training and education programs for a variety of constituencies.
• Effective project management, organization and analytical skills.
• Ability to understand the needs of the campus and to work collaboratively with students, faculty and staff across the university and with peer institutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFUCATIONS

• Previous experience in healthcare related to clinical care, public health practice, research, teaching, and/or training.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position.  The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits, and a highly desirable work environment.  For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #4945110 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. 

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 16, 2021. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.