DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (SPSA, Opt. 1)

POSITION SUMMARY

Central Management Services (CMS) is seeking a visionary and data-driven senior leader with a proven track record of architecting and executing comprehensive, statewide diversity and inclusion strategies that transform workforce representation, drive retention through inclusive practices, and reimagine accessibility for all people of Illinois regardless of their level of proficiency in the English language. As Deputy Director of D&I, this fiscal and policy-formulating authority aligns multi-million dollar budgetary priorities with empirical outcome metrics to drive operational excellence. A trusted liaison to the state agencies, community partners, the Governor’s Office of New Americans, and the Governor’s Office of Equity, they masterfully oversee statutory employment plans and spearhead legislative compliance. Serving as the official agency spokesperson on diversity and inclusion matters, this leader bridges the gap between state government, community advocacy groups, and the public to eliminate underutilization and foster equitable workforce success.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Subject to management approval, serves as Deputy Director of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I).
• Oversees the ongoing support for the planning, developing, executing, and assessing the Hispanic Employment Plan (HEP), Asian American Employment Plan (AsAmEP), Native American Employment Plan (NAEP), and the African American Employment Plan (AfAmEP), as well as other statewide initiatives, largely through direction of the corresponding Statewide Managers for Diversity and Inclusion. 
• Directs, plans, develops, and executes  CMS D&I’s responsibilities related to the Illinois Language Equity and Access Act (LEAA), Public Act 103-0723, and Bilingual Needs/Bilingual Pay Report.
• Serves as official agency spokesperson for D&I and programs to the public, media, various minority advocacy groups, educational institutions, and agencies, boards, and commissions.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years  of college with courses in public or business administration, public relations, human resources, communications, or related field.
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in public or private organization, preferably developing and directing programs in support of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging workforce initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prefers five (5) years of experience supervising professional staff.  
• Prefers three (3) years of experience working with executive/c-level leadership in either a public or private sector organization.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience in effectively working and communicating with diverse internal and external stakeholders and the public, demonstrating high levels of professionalism and meticulous attention to detail. 
• Prefers (2) years of experience overseeing project management efforts. 
• Prefers (3) years of experience conceptualizing, developing, and implementing agency policies and programs.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

ABOUT THE AGENCY

Central Management Services (CMS) is the operational engine working behind the scenes to enable the State's more than 60 agencies, universities, boards, and commissions to deliver efficient, reliable services to all Illinois citizens.  The Agency's mission is to support the State by delivering innovative, responsive, and effective services that provide the best value for Illinois State government and the people it serves.  Among the services CMS provides are human resources facilitation; benefits programs for employees, retirees and local governments; property and facilities management; diversity initiatives for public contracting and State employment; joint purchasing support; vehicle fleet oversight and support; surplus property programs; print and electronic communications services; and administrative hearings coordination.