Director of Equity & Culture

Company: Denver Zoo
Location: Denver
Posted on: November 23, 2021

Job Description:

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.Denver Zoo honors our animals, staff and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions - Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Behaviors of: Passion, Respect, Innovation, Diversity and Excellence in all that we do. Visit to learn more.The Director of Equity and Culture will lead the Zoo in advancing the Zoo's internal culture through development and implementation of systems, processes and initiatives centered on the integration of core values, including the Zoo's diversity, inclusion, and equity strategy, and overseeing a robust internal communications program. This position will lead cross-departmental teams and be responsible for developing KPI's, action plans, and progress.Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests. If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, Denver Zoo is the place for you!Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesDiversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)Stewardship of the racial equity roadmap: Leadership role on teams and task forces and driving outcomes for racial equity roadmapDeveloping a more inclusive full life-cycle recruitment, hiring and retention processExamining internal processes and policiesLeading the Zoo's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Steering CommitteeCultivating partnerships and supporting intern and fellowship programsLeading implementation of ongoing staff and volunteer training programs, including identifying training vendors and creating learning objectivesManage EEOC reportingAdvance organizational DEIB strategies, goals, objectives, and work plans:Lead and guide the newly established DEI Steering Committee; manage the group's implementation of DEIB initiativesFacilitate the creation of new Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)Advocate the importance and value of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment, and engage employees and volunteers at all levels to build a welcoming and inclusive cultureInfuse knowledge and best practices related to DEIB across the Zoo in all programming, systems, communications, internal culture-building, staff and volunteer development, and business operationsLead on developing and executing internal staff trainings and team-building activities related to DEIB, as well as volunteer and Board of Governors trainings and strategic discussions related to DEIBStay abreast of advancements and best practices in DEIB, and communicate insights and research with staffOversee internal communications related to DEIB, and collaborate with External Relations Department on external communications, when appropriateRenovate strategies focused on hiring, recruiting, and retaining a diverse employee and volunteer at all position levels:Assess potential strengths, barriers, and patterns of inequity connected to access to careers in zoosDevelop, pilot, implement, manage, and evaluate opportunities to improve access to careers at Denver ZooEstablish and maintain community partnerships aimed at improving access to zoo careersTrain leadership to use strategies in their recruiting, hiring, and retention of diverse talentWork with individuals and teams to guide thinking, reflecting, and decisions related to managing diverse talent and organizational design/structureServe as a close advisor and thought partner to Zoo leaders, staff, external partners, and industry networks:Advise and serve as a resource for management and staff in the areas of DEIBProvide DEIB coaching and mentoringParticipate in organizational strategic planning processes and initiativesContribute to, and represent Denver Zoo in, external DEIB networks and partnershipsProvide project management for DEIB initiatives:Manage processes, objectives, actions, tasks, and budgets of DEIB initiativesDevelop policies, procedures, or actions for the purpose of providing direction in meeting DEIB goals and objectivesPeople CultureListening Strategy:Establishing an internal communications strategy in conjunction with Communications and institutional leadership.Ensuring organizational initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to employees, volunteers, board members and other internal stakeholders.Planning, editing and developing content for a variety of internal communications mediums, such as staff intranet, video, or regular email bulletin.Leading a cross-departmental team to develop content for key internal channels.Developing and fostering feedback loopsSupporting directors and managers, as well as other staff, in building more effective department-level communication systemsFacilitating and analyzing our Annual and Pulse Employee and Volunteer Engagement Surveys to gain consistent people insights.Support the Zoo's goal of building a positive and equitable work environment by partnering with others to create new employee and volunteer engagement programs to enhance employee connectivity and satisfaction.Revamp and implement employee and volunteer appreciation & recognition program.This position will serve on the director leadership team and requires a high level of influence and cross-department collaboration. Modeling the Zoo's Core Values through coaching and mentoring in 1:1 and group settings.Act as an internal and external ambassador of our One Zoo Team culture and values with innovative ways to embed our culture across all employees and volunteers to promote our external Employee Value Proposition for new recruits.Oversite of Adult Volunteer Program experience:Support and oversee integration of adult volunteers in zoo-wide training, communication avenues, and annual reporting. Ensure program priorities are in alignment with Denver Zoo's core values and Inspire Awe.PrideSet priorities in alignment with Inspire Awe:Safety first, alwaysCare demonstrated through exceptional guest serviceConnect with each guest utilizing ROADMAP's guest engagement strategies and program development processDemonstrate a commitment to Denver Zoo's Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals.Act in accordance with Denver Zoo's Core Behaviors: Passion, Respect, Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence in all interactions with staff, guest, volunteers, and vendors.Other Responsibilities and DutiesDeep knowledge about, and ability to explain and interpret, DEIB concepts, issues, and best practicesStrong project management skills: ability to coordinate simultaneous and complex projectsCommunicate and apply research, analysis, and resultsAbility to analyze situations, identify problems, and recommend solutionsConsensus-building skillsFacilitation skillsApplicable business software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams)Technical / Professional Requirements & QualificationsFive years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience performing professional work in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), such as:Developing and implementing diversity events and programsDeveloping and conducting DEIB trainingsCollecting and analyzing data to identify patterns and trends, and utilizing data to establish results-oriented diversity initiativesWorking in multicultural, multiethnic community, and/or work environmentNegotiating and consensus building to support administrative decisions and tasksCreating and facilitating committees/councilsEstablishing and maintaining partnershipsFive years + of knowledge and proven success in developing organization culture and the creation, implementation, and measuring of EDI strategies and best practices, such as:Developing and implementing diversity events and programsDeveloping and conducting DEIB trainingsCollecting and analyzing data to identify patterns and trends, and utilizing data to establish results-oriented diversity initiativesWorking in multicultural, multiethnic community, and/or work environmentNegotiating and consensus building to support administrative decisions and tasksCreating and facilitating committees/councilsEstablishing and maintaining partnershipsExperience with internal communications.Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.Ability to work in a team-based department and organizational structure.High emotional intelligence and excellent judgment.Knowledge of change management methodology a plus.Excellent written communications skills.Strong speaking and interpersonal skills.Experience with information gathering and interpretation of implications for organizations.Ability to effectively develop and implement strategic plans and projects with measurable results (preferred).Experience using quantitative and qualitative data to both tell a story and to evaluate success with varied audiences (preferred).History of developing staff through coaching, facilitation, and team building; previous work in leading organizational culture change (preferred).Position ConditionsAbility to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.CompensationRange for this position is $7,588-$9,675 (monthly)BenefitsThis is a full-time position with excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision benefits; life insurance; short term and long-term disability; 403(b) retirement plan; and vacation and sick leave.Application Process and TimelinesPosition is open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately. Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to this date.Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply for this role.Denver Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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