Location: New York or Washington, DC

Schedule: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

FLSA: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion department, reporting to the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer.

The role can reside in the New York or Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for designing, directing and overseeing the implementation of firmwide diversity & inclusion strategy, initiatives and processes. The Director of Diversity and Inclusion is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and staff, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Design, lead and implement the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives as a strategic partner to functional department heads and the firm’s business partners, developing plans and programs to advance diversity efforts across the firm.

• Supervise, performance manage and lead the Diversity & Inclusion team to facilitate firmwide Diversity & Inclusion strategy, plans and programs.

• Direct and oversee internal and external diversity and inclusion processes to ensure the firm is offering resources and addressing concerns related to current events and issues.

• Proactively use firmwide diversity and inclusion data and analytics to improve the overall functions of the department and further advance firm strategies.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in all areas associated with diversity and inclusion.

• Oversee and manage selection and engagement of preferred vendors and speakers, ensuring appropriate signed agreements are in place.

• Prepare initial drafts for Chief’s review and approval of diversity-related communications, reports and surveys requiring quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation, ensuring grammatical and stylistic accuracy, conformance with established procedures, and unfailing accuracy. Examples include the industry surveys, RFPs, internal announcements, and presentations.

• Apprise Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of current diversity and inclusion issues and potential problems as they develop, seeking advice and guidance as needed.

• Oversee and participate in firmwide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and office DEI Council meetings as necessary, and oversee completion of agendas and summaries for circulation; prepare meeting correspondence and reports, working with all firm constituents and stakeholders, including attorneys and department leadership throughout the firm.

• Provide support to the Firmwide Resource Groups, including Executive Sponsors, Chairs, Vice Chairs, and group members in the development and execution of their strategies and agenda, and oversee logistical and administrative support by Manager.

• Oversee collection and preparation of diversity-related statistical information for firmwide reports, RFPs, committee meetings, and other requests, as needed, liaising with the Human Resources department on necessary data and historical materials.

• Manage the firm’s internal Diversity & Inclusion portal page and diversity-related content on the external Akin Gump website.

• Serve as subject matter expert and liaison to other firm departments and stakeholders on diversity-related initiatives including internal training opportunities, strategic action plans, sponsorship of job fairs, attendance at diversity & inclusion events, benchmarking assessments, surveys, and competitive and marketplace research on diversity trends.

• Attend meetings as requested to provide information and serve as a point of contact/resource for diversity & inclusion initiatives.

• Serve as liaison with internal and external parties on matters related to the firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives (e.g., answer questions concerning activities and transmit instructions and or information to and from members of the DEI Councils and Firmwide Resource Groups).

• Track, monitor and maintain accurate accounts of all expenses and balances to support adherence to the diversity program budget.

• Other related tasks as required and assigned.

  Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Advanced degree preferred

• Minimum of ten years related experience in a law firm, government agency, or professional services organization desired

• Marketing and communications experience preferred

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Very strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel

• Strong service orientation and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers; attorneys; office, firm and practice management; and outside business partners

• Demonstrated experience synthesizing data and human capital demographics and trends

• Ability to design and facilitate training and other presentations

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure

• Ability to manage multiple projects with specific deadlines and adjust to changing priorities in a professional manner

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment to accomplish results

• Demonstrated judgment, discretion and tact

• Ability to work independently and with a team

• Ability to delegate and manage resources effectively

• Unfailing attention to detail

• Ability to use critique of work to improve performance

• Commitment to professional growth and development

  The base salary range for this position in New York and Washington, DC is $225,000 to $300,000. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here (https://www.akingump.com/en/careers/business-services) .

  Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E-Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility

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