Assistant Vice President-Exec Mgt

Working/Functional Title

OCR Assistant Vice President of ISR

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) seeks an experienced, highly collaborative, and solution-oriented leader to fill the role of Assistant Vice President of Support, Investigation, and Resolution (ISR)/ Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Senior Deputy Title VI Coordinator (AVP/Senior Deputy) for the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR). Reporting directly to the Vice President for OCR / Title IX Coordinator and Title VI Coordinator, this is a newly revised position that is central to the strategic goals of the university to create a safe and welcoming campus environment for all. The AVP/Senior Deputy serves as a member of the OCR executive leadership team and the VP’s primary designee and is responsible for the following units within OCR: Support and Intake; Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP) Response and Investigations; Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) Response and Investigation; and the Resolution Office.

The major areas of responsibility for the AVP/Senior Deputy include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Direction and Operational Oversight

• Provide leadership for the 30+ staff ISR team and supervision for five direct reports (four directors and an administrative assistant), including coaching, development, and other support for professional and personal growth.
• As part of OCR executive leadership, collaborate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the OCR Strategic Framework;
• Develop and manage the ISR budget aligned with the strategic framework, including working with the OCR Business Services team in the annual budget process and providing ongoing fiscal stewardship;
• Champion the ISR team and institute change management and other processes to support the team’s success; and
• Continuously monitor and improve ISR operations using data-informed metrics to measure progress and ensure initiatives meet the needs of the campus.

Civil Rights Compliance

• Carry out delegated responsibilities from the VP/Title IX and Title VI Coordinator related to processes for reporting and response to concerns of discrimination, harassment, relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking, and retaliation;
• Assist with the review of and updates to university-wide policies, internal protocols, and processes;
• Provide training for decisionmakers and for campus partners regarding the administration of the university’s civil rights policies and processes
• Work with the VP and others to create civil rights compliance programs, tools, and communications
• Provide expert consultation to members of the university community regarding civil rights responsibilities and rights under the university’s policies

Engagement and Community Building

• Serve as a liaison to build bridges to nearly every other university office and department;
• Interface with employees at all levels of the organization, including executive leadership, students, and external community members;
• Develop a knowledge of the greater campus and university community to broaden the effectiveness and impact of OCR’s work;
• Expand a culture of collaboration and collegiality across the Michigan State community; and
• Provide transparent communication and instill an excitement around collaboration as a vehicle for OCR’s success.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -JD, Masters or another relevant advanced degree.

Desired Degree

Doctorate -JD

Minimum Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience;
• A demonstrated ability to manage complex and sensitive matters with cross-functional teams in a timely manner;
• Significant knowledge of and experience in civil rights compliance in higher education including complaint resolution, investigation, resolution efforts, and grievance processes in a university setting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal and state non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, ADA, and other applicable laws and regulations;
• Crisis management experience and the ability to provide intellectual and emotional leadership, bringing communities together during challenging and sometimes high-profile circumstances;
• Experience leading and developing a large, diverse, and multi-functional team.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills;
• A strong and transparent communicator who can convey the University’s stance on Title IX and civil rights compliance to internal and external groups;
• A strong track record of collaboration, campus engagement, and forging relationships across an organization with the ability to be a front-facing administrator both internal and external to the institution;
• A demonstrated professional history in successful and progressively responsible administrative roles; experience in strategic planning, program assessment, and policy development;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead staff and effectively prioritize multiple projects;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and advancing a diverse and inclusive workforce;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills;
• Commitment to the highest ethical and integrity standards; and
• An understanding of intersectionality, identity, and trauma-informed principles and practices.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide thought leadership to transform and/or enhance institutional approaches to civil rights protections;
• Experience supervising next-level supervisors and supporting the growth of both direct reports and indirect reports;
• Experience managing budgets including budget development, ongoing monitoring of expenses, interpretation of financial reporting, and management of finances to enable achievement of goals; and
• Demonstrated experience of strategic plan/initiative development and execution.

Required Application Materials

• CV or Resume
• Cover Letter

Special Instructions

Please provide required application materials at time of application.

Review of Applications Begins On

01/17/2025

Website

https://civilrights.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.