Senior Director, People, Equity, and Inclusion

The Senior Director, People, Equity, and Inclusion will be a thoughtful problem solver who supports Ailey’s organizational development by building and implementing its people strategy with an eye towards equity and inclusion. The Senior Director will lead Ailey’s initiatives and activities regarding staff recruitment and retention; equity and inclusion; skill building and capacity; and performance evaluation. The Senior Director will also be responsible for providing thought partnership and capacity building to Ailey’s senior leaders.
Moreover, this new position will work in tandem with the recently formed Diversity, Engagement, and Advisory Committee. Comprised of staff from across the organization, the Committee and Senior Director will partner together as Ailey implements recommendations to strengthen its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Senior Director will create the vision for the people, equity, and inclusion function at the Ailey organization. In close partnership with the Executive Director, General Counsel, Human Resources Business Partner, and the senior leadership team, the Senior Director will ensure that this vision is fully aligned with overall organizational strategy, objectives, and values. This vision for people, equity, and inclusion will strengthen Ailey’s culture, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire others to do their best work. This focus on the development and growth of staff, their potential and their pathways, will help Ailey achieve new heights and serve as a powerful example for other performing arts organizations.
Specific responsibilities include:
PARTNER ACROSS TEAMS TO BUILD LEADERSHIP AND TALENT STRATEGY
• Equip senior leaders with the resources and knowledge necessary to manage courageous conversations about equity and inclusion that lead to action and results; as needed, lead these conversations with staff and dancers;
• Expose senior leaders to the most effective and innovative coaching and development practices within and beyond the mission-driven space;
• Facilitate shared learning and communication of best-in-class human capital practices across Ailey while fostering an environment of continuous improvement;
• Help build the capability of senior leaders to proactively attract, develop, and retain the best talent; and
• Support all staff by designing and implementing highly-effective human capital functions.

FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND SENSE OF BELONGING
• Champion and advance the Ailey organization’s equity and inclusion efforts;
• Help shape Ailey’s culture and ethos across departments and teams, with an emphasis on strengthening a sense of shared purpose and belonging across the organization; and
• Partner with the Executive Director and senior leaders to plan and implement initiatives that reinforce Ailey’s core values, with a focus on developing and retaining staff.

DRIVE OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE, RESULTS, AND GROWTH THROUGH EFFECTIVE LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
• Ensure ongoing development and long-term career planning for all staff through practices such as robust goal-setting processes, individual development plans, succession planning, and development of a culture of consistent and honest feedback;
• Offer coaching and support to managers in assessing, training, and developing their teams, with a focus on building development plans that leverage the strengths and assets of staff;
• Help staff and managers improve their expertise and address skill gaps through internal and external learning opportunities for individuals and groups;
• Identify the most pressing learning needs of the organization to support excellence; and
• Support staff by identifying and communicating internal leadership opportunities and career pathways.

FORMALIZE AND IMPLEMENT RECRUITING PRACTICE ACROSS ALL INTERNAL HIRING PROCESSES
• Formalize standard recruiting processes for roles at the Ailey organization;
• Promote rigorous selection practices to enable the Ailey organization to continue building a world class team and consistently hire the best talent; and
• Nurture and develop a pipeline of candidates interested in and aligned with the Ailey organization’s core values and culture.
Candidate Profile
The Senior Director of Human Resources, Equity, and Inclusion will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Strategic and Entrepreneurial Leader
The Senior Director will have an entrepreneurial spirit, with a measurable track record of strong results and an outcome-driven mindset. A proven strategic thinker, the Senior Director will oversee planning and development of human capital initiatives, diagnose critical areas for attention, build consensus, and implement decisive, clear strategies. A catalyst for change and growth