DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Chicago, IL, US, 60603
Job Requisition ID: 48416
Closing Date: 07/25/2025
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,500 - $10,500 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook; Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code
****************A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****************
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document that is not a Resume or CV.
***This position is Exempt from Jurisdiction B of the Illinois Personnel Code under provision of paragraph 4d(3)***
Position Overview:
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood is seeking to hire a Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) to serve as the agency’s senior policy advisor and strategic leader on equity-centered initiatives. This high-impact role helps shape agency-wide and statewide policies that advance inclusion and equitable outcomes.
The Director will lead the development and execution of DEIA strategies, including the identification of key indicators and performance measures that support the agency in strengthening its public-facing equity efforts. The ideal candidate is a data-driven, policy-focused leader who brings strategic vision and operational expertise to embedding equity across government systems.
Apply today to join a team committed to making Illinois the best place in the nation to raise a family!
Illinois Department of Early Childhood offers a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday schedule
- Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
- Paid Parental leave
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
- Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
- (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
- Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
- (13-14) paid state holidays annually
Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Essential Functions
- Serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
- Serves as the Senior Advisor for DEIA to programs and services teams.
- Serves as a full line supervisor.
- Provides leadership and strategic direction on the equity priorities for DEIA, including equity and inclusion efforts, both internal and external.
- Reviews and remains attentive to scientific literature and developments in other states regarding the measurement and application of performance and equity indicators.
- Attends relevant conferences, workshops, and professional gatherings to stay informed of emerging best practices, innovative approaches, and national trends related to performance and equity indicators.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
- This position requires a bachelor’s degree.
- This position requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in public or private organization, including experience in strategic planning, diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefers four (4) years of professional work experience developing and implementing programming for internal stakeholders focused on diversity, equity and inclusion programming, initiatives, and training.
- Prefer four (4) years of experience leveraging the knowledge of Title VII (EEOC) laws as well as Affirmative Action (OFCCP) regulations to build an engaged diverse workforce and inclusive environment.
- Prefers four (4) years of professional work experience collecting and analyzing data related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, and using the insights to drive strategy and decision-making.
- Prefers four (4) years of professional experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Prefer excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Prefer thorough awareness of policy priorities and objectives.
- Prefer experience in technical aspects of report writing.
- Prefer familiarity with data system design and capabilities, and statistical research.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires the ability to pass a background check.
- Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
- 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 requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
- Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
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Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm
Work Location: 115 S La Salle St., Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Agency Contact: Sally McDaniel-Smith
Email: sally.mdanielsmith@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-900-0865
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
About the Agency:
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2025 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026.
Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Nearest Major Market: Chicago