Associate Vice President for Equity Compliance

Towson University (TU) has earned distinction as both a top 100 public university and one of the nation's great colleges to work for. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland.  Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect and supports the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Associate Vice President (“AVP”) for Equity Compliance leads TU’s work to meet its obligations as an educational institution and employer under applicable civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The AVP provides sophisticated leadership, knowledge, and direction for the Office of Equity Compliance and the university regarding matters of equity, civil rights, and sexual misconduct.  The AVP also regularly advises senior leadership and other constituents on nuanced and high-profile areas of policy, practice, and regulation.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, the AVP will manage a team of professionals—including the Title IX Coordinator and civil rights investigators—who investigate and adjudicate allegations of sexual misconduct and discrimination. The AVP must be a strong operational leader—skilled in managing complex workflows, optimizing internal systems, aligning resources with institutional priorities, open to feedback, and ensuring the effective day-to-day functioning of the office.  Additionally, the AVP must be a knowledgeable subject-matter advisor and leader in times of crisis and complex situations.  This is an exciting opportunity to work in a highly collaborative and collegial higher education environment on high stakes issues of critical importance.

Responsibilities of the AVP:

1.     Lead all university compliance efforts related to applicable civil rights laws and in accordance with TU’s policies prohibiting sexual misconduct and discrimination.

2.     Manage and support a team of five professionals who assess and investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and discrimination.  Actively develop and empower staff through coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to position TU as a model and leader in public higher education civil rights compliance operations.

3.     Conduct high-profile civil rights and sexual misconduct investigations that pose significant reputational or financial risk to the institution.

4.     Develop and refine office practices and procedures so that campus partners and university constituents receive the highest level of compliance services in high-risk areas. 

5.     Work closely and collaboratively with executive leadership and the offices of student affairs, intercollegiate athletics, human resources, the provost, and the general counsel on sensitive matters related to student, faculty, and employee relations.  Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with a wide variety of TU officials to facilitate trust and collaboration and engender a positive campus environment.

6.     Strategically advise institutional leadership in times of crisis in a calm and levelheaded manner.