Senior Director, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship

Company: Broad Institute
Location: Somerville
Posted on: January 12, 2021

Job Description:

Job DescriptionSENIOR DIRECTOR, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ALLYSHIPThe Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as its inaugural Senior Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA). The Broad Institute is a globally renowned genomics institute that exists to apply its deep knowledge of human genetics to empower a revolution in biomedicine and accelerate the pace at which the world conquers disease. In the summer of 2020, the Broad---s leadership created the new office of IDEA to amplify its long-standing commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to evaluate and identify opportunities for the Broad to maximize its impact in this arena. The Broad is committed to transforming its scientific community by seeding talent from diverse backgrounds and pioneering more inclusive practices. In addition, the Broad aims to become a destination of choice for diverse talent as well as a leader in changing the global biomedical and scientific enterprise to be more inclusive. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, with a dual reporting line into the Institute Director, the Senior Director of IDEA will be responsible for shaping a vision and implementing IDEA priorities. As a subject matter expert and thought leader, the Senior Director will drive forward key institutional goals, sit on the Executive Leadership team, and serve as the connective tissue across Broad---s ecosystem. The successful candidate will set a course for short and long-term change at the Broad --- stratified across internal goals and priorities as well as external-facing opportunities to impact the biomedical community at large. The Senior Director will manage a small core team along with a network of over 60 IDEA advisors from across the Broad---s scientific and administrative teams. The Broad Institute has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of this important position. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be shared in confidence.THE BROAD INSTITUTE The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is a globally renowned genomics institute in Boston, Massachusetts that has created a pioneering model of biomedical science. Launched in 2004, the Broad Institute uses cutting-edge genomic research to advance our understanding of the biology and treatment of human disease and to help lay the groundwork for a new generation of therapies. Broad is an ---experiment--- and represents a new way of doing science. The Institute transcends the traditional, academic model of individual laboratories working within their specific disciplines. Rather, ambitious challenges are tackled in a highly integrated fashion designed to meet the most pressing challenges of biomedicine. Research is done in nimble teams and across disciplines --- combining biology, chemistry, mathematics, computation, and engineering with medical science and clinical research. This unique collaborative structure allows scientists and administrators to pursue bold ideas that lead to potentially transformative science at a scale usually seen in industry. The Institute evolved from a decade of successful informal research collaborations among scientists in the MIT and Harvard communities, and the Broad community now spans some of Boston---s leading institutions at the nexus of one of the most robust biomedical and biotechnology communities in the world. Currently, the Broad has over 5,000 scientists and researchers, known as ---Broadies.--- AffiliationsIn addition to MIT and Harvard, the Broad has partner relationships with five Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Brigham and Women---s Hospital; Children---s Hospital, Boston; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; and Massachusetts General Hospital. All institutions bring their strengths to the Broad and all are located within a three-mile radius of the Institute. Broad Institute MembersThe Broad Institute---s faculty members are all faculty members of MIT, Harvard, or one of the Harvard-affiliated hospitals. They are full citizens of their home institutions --- including having a full teaching schedule and other responsibilities. The Broad faculty consists of Institute Members as well as over 300 Associate Members and 39 affiliate members who are active participants in the Broad community. Institute members are deeply engaged in the intellectual life of Broad and are responsible for setting its scientific direction. Executive Leadership TeamThe Executive leadership team (ELT), chaired by the Institute Director, shares expertise across scientific, academic, and administrative disciplines. The leadership team guides the Institute consistent with Broad's mission and values. The existing eight-member group includes: The President and Director, the Senior Director of Genomics Platform, the Chief Scientific Officer, The Chief Development Officer & Chief External Relations Officer, the Chief Business Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief People Officer. IDEA (INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION) AT THE BROAD Background Broad has a demonstrated and long-standing commitment to expanding the participation of groups that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical science. Since its founding, Broad---s Office of Diversity, Education, and Outreach (DEO) has spearheaded programs that engage individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups at various stages in their careers. These programs are aimed at amplifying the number of students from underrepresented groups who pursue, and succeed in, careers in the life sciences. Broad was named a Working Mother 100 Best Company in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. This was the result of the Institute---s efforts to mitigate and counter the hurdles that caregiving places on life science careers, a problem that disproportionately affects women. Empowerment in the Broad community is promoted through several identity-based affinity groups that help raise awareness of issues and concerns, advocate for positive change, and partner with Broad leadership in supporting efforts to create a more inclusive community. Collectively, Broad seeks to integrate a wide range of voices, experiences, and backgrounds into meaningful conversations and institutional decisions around building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Current Context The national scientific community is far from being equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Systemic, historic, and societal barriers have created a dearth of representation from marginalized populations as defined by race, ethnicity, disability, and gender identity. Underserved and socially disadvantaged populations are disproportionately affected by health disparities and exclusion from research, clinical care, and therapeutic advances in biomedicine. Representation at the highest levels of leadership in science and academic medicine is also largely homogenous. These long-standing issues are pervasive, interrelated, and complex; the Broad is not immune from their reach and impact. Tackling these issues requires robust and sustained investment, coordination, and institutional follow-through. Recent national movements for racial justice and equity have sparked heightened awareness, raw discussions, and an expectation for change. Systemic and meaningful change will take time. The Broad Institute hopes to tackle these issues with the same vigor and commitment dedicated to the most complex of scientific questions.IDEA Initiative In 2017, Broad hired an Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Lead to assess our current state and identify where we can refine our IDEA strategy and harness the grassroots energy of our Identity Based Affinity Groups. In Summer of 2020, our Director, Eric Lander, made an institutional commitment to be an anti-racist organization. In recognition of the importance of this work and its centrality to Broad---s mission, and in order to drive meaningful change, Broad established the new office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA). This office will work closely with existing units and will amplify Broad---s ongoing efforts. The long-standing work at Broad has been crystallized by a commitment to three overarching IDEA aspirations:1) Creating a Fully Inclusive Internal Culture and CommunityThe Broad recognizes that internal culture is a crucial aspect of an inclusive organization, and is therefore committed to identifying and mitigating bias, expanding mechanisms to gather feedback and measure inclusion for all Broadies, and creating new recruiting processes and career development programs.The Broad invites honest dialogue around inequities, race, and privilege through venues such as BelongingBroad, a multi-day symposium featuring national leaders and experts discussing intersectionality in the workplace, anti-racism policies and practice, and mechanisms to create a more inclusive culture.2) Expanding and Accelerating the Diversity of Future ScientistsThe Broad will work towards its longstanding commitment and ongoing efforts to increase diversity in science at all levels --- from undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students to postdoctoral trainees and faculty members.3) Broadening Our Science to Fully Include Under-served CommunitiesThe Broad---s scientific enterprise is robust, transcendent, and impactful, providing the Broad the opportunity to increase representation from underrepresented communities --- particularly as it pertains to bolstering the diversity of datasets and addressing gaps in health care. Though the IDEA initiative is in its infancy, the Broad---s commitment, evidenced by a variety of initiatives, is longstanding. For example, Count Me In is a large-scale research initiative that aims to transform cancer care by directly engaging and empowering all cancer patients to accelerate research by sharing their samples, their medical information, and their voices. Count Me In has engaged in deliberate efforts with diverse patient populations to encourage them to enroll in research, in order to help address issues of inclusion and representation in research participation. KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGESThe aspirations outlined in the IDEA framework are ambitious, and the inaugural Senior Director of IDEA will be at the epicenter of this critically important work. Key opportunities and challenges for this individual include the following: 1) Develop a cohesive vision and implement an IDEA strategic planThe hallmark of the Broad is creative experimentation and boundary pushing. The Senior Director of IDEA will work within the unique contours of the Broad to rethink processes, systems, and structures --- driving long-term, institutional change --- as it impacts equity, diversity, and inclusion. The successful candidate will have ample experience in strategic planning and execution and establishing data-driven metrics to measure progress. They will bring visionary leadership to identify and evaluate opportunities for the Broad to maximize its impact institutionally, in the scientific community, and in society.2) Serve as a thought leader and trusted advisor on diversity, inclusion, equity, and allyship across BroadThe Senior Director will bring extensive subject matter expertise, serving as a resource in an advisory capacity to organization leaders, staff, and a range of other stakeholders. Current and ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion are underway. The Senior Director will synergize, amplify, and differentiate existing efforts, galvanizing support and allies in support of IDEA objectives. 3) Navigate ambiguity with determination and creativityThis is an inaugural role at the Broad. The Senior Director will help provide a roadmap for success and in the process, will likely encounter more questions than answers. The successful candidate will be intellectually curious and will use creativity to learn the distinct contours of the Broad, integrate diverse perspectives, and navigate ambiguity. The Broad has a culture of navigating high-risk, high-reward problems with nimbleness. Perseverance, grit, determination, and the ability to pivot will be key to accommodating the uncertainty and change inherent to a new initiative of this scale.4) Be a champion of changeAs the core IDEA principles crystallize into actionable priorities, the Senior Director will concomitantly guide the Broad through institutional change and help chart a new direction for growth and amplify the current work taking place. The Senior Director will balance the desire for cultural change with sustained and long-term measures that ensure the lasting vitality of IDEA goals. The successful candidate will use strong internal communication and diplomacy, a high degree of transparency, relationship-building, and proven leadership in organizational change in order to communicate the value and impact of IDEA, generate buy-in, and guide their colleagues toward institutional change. 5) Build and sustain strong partnerships with a diverse network of stakeholdersThe Senior Director will enter an ecosystem with long-standing and overlapping efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion. Work across partner institutions to address the challenges of faculty diversity over the long term. The successful candidate will partner across and beyond all dimensions of Broad --- using enthusiasm, emotional intelligence and gravitas to achieve ambitious goals while balancing the needs of multiple constituencies.6) Lead and support a talented and motivated teamThe Senior Director will inherit a small core office, as well as an outstanding team of approximately sixty IDEA ambassadors who serve as institutional volunteers committed to the IDEA mission. They must be a skilled manager, facilitator, and trainer who can energize and empower the IDEA office, invest in a talented team, and foster a culture of teamwork to achieve goals. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATEThe Senior Director for IDEA will be a dynamic leader with significant experience developing and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion programs in a complex and multi-dimensional environment. The successful candidate will be intellectually curious, expertly navigating ambiguity with determination and creativity. They will have experience planning and executing complex institutional projects, establishing data-driven metrics, and driving long-term organizational change.The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional experiences and personal characteristics:Demonstrated experience in planning and executing complex institutional projects to successfully advance and imbed equity, diversity, and inclusion within an organization;Deep understanding of power structures and privilege differentials and institutional systems that foster systemic inequalities;Excellent consensus building skills; experience working cross-culturally utilizing interpersonal and diplomatic skills; an ability to listen, inspire, and influence others when articulating the benefits of equity, diversity, and inclusion;Experience working effectively with all constituencies across an institution; ability to achieve results through empowerment and partnership;Strong data gathering, data analysis, problem solving, and analytical skills; proven ability to work successfully with data collection methods;Extensive experience engaging with executives through written materials and in-person; .An extensive understanding of organizational change, leadership, and pedagogy; with the ability to embrace ambiguity and experimentation to drive positive change;A resilient leader that thrives in a complex, fast paced multi-dimensional environment;Skilled at conflict management strategies to enhance learning and group outcomes;Unquestioned integrity, credibility, and judgment. The successful candidate will come with an understanding of and/or strong desire to learn about the sciences. BS/BA (ideally in a STEM field) is preferred but not required. Candidates from outside of higher education with relevant, transferable skills will be considered and are encouraged to apply. The Broad Institute will not offer Visa sponsorship for this opportunity.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.EEO is The Law - click here for more informationEqual Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/DisabledCheck out this video for a look into our communityJob InfoType: Full timeLocation: Cambridge, MA

Keywords: Broad Institute, Somerville , Senior Director, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship, Executive , Somerville, Massachusetts