Senior Officer, Inclusive Culture Development

Job Summary

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team within the Office of the CEO/Chief of Staff supports the Authority’s commitment to growing New Jersey’s economy and increasing equitable access to opportunity. The NJEDA believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are inherent to creating a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy and building a diverse workforce increases business performance. The Authority is guided by the concept of “diversity on purpose,” the idea that diversity at the NJEDA and in the businesses and communities the Authority serves should not only be recognized but intentionally fostered. This principle guides the NJEDA in producing top-quality, innovative programs and services that serve New Jersey’s diverse residents, communities, and businesses.

The Senior Officer, Inclusive Culture Development supports internal programs designed to promote organizational DEI development. This role is responsible for leading the facilitation of Authority programs and will serve as a subject matter expert on organizational DEI within the Authority.

$76,184 - $95,230

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a manager's approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees inclusive employee engagement programs, workshops, and trainings to ensure alignment with Authority goals.
• Works closely with CDO as the Authority’s lead DEI facilitator for internal programs including: Employee Networking Groups, Mentorship and Fellowship programs, Diverse Leadership Development Program, DEI workshops, etc.
• Develops and maintains DEI subject matter expertise for EDA through research and analysis; these efforts may include tracking organizational and workforce trends, contributing to the design and execution of engagement- and development-focused strategies and programs, conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, defining program implementation plans, etc.
• Assists on DEI-related topics, issues, programming, and communications; assists with providing counsel for managers on current and trending topics and issues relating to DEI in the workplace; may attend internal and external meetings/events as a representative of EDA’s DEI department
• Works cross-functionally to develop relationships within all EDA departments to support DEI efforts within departmental functions
• Supports the development, measurement, and achievement of DEI department and organizational DEI goals
• Demonstrates a leadership and ownership mindset within the DEI Department alongside other department leads, including suggesting new ideas for how to improve the division
• Helps to institutionalize best practices; defines and implements needed systems and policies
• Supports varying special projects to advance the goals of the DEI team, as needed.
• Promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative, and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers.
• Must complete annual and semiannual self-assessment as required.
• Performs other duties and projects, as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of complex DEI competencies.
• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with a broad range of audiences, including senior management.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and to foster communications with business professionals and EDA staff; proficient in grammar, spelling, and editing.
• Solutions-oriented, good attention to detail and follow-up.
• Resourceful and able to find the answers necessary to develop solutions.
• Keen ability to prioritize and work through overlapping projects.
• Must be a critical thinker and possess rigorous analytical capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision.
• Ability to learn and understand EDA and State programs which support the goals of equitable economic development.
• Strong work ethic, ability to be proactive and responsive in a team environment.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff.
• Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new software packages.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience
• 5-7 years’ experience in learning and development, training facilitation, consulting/coaching, or related fields
• Demonstrated understanding of complex DEI subject matter
• Strong public speaking ability

Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience

Physical Demands

• Occasional attendance at events outside normal working hours.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed.

Travel

• As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees. 

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

NJ SAME Program  

Position Requirements 

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date.  If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis. 
• Must review the required NJEDA Ethics Guidelines. 
• Those guidelines to can be found here: 
• https://www.nj.gov/ethics/docs/ethics/plainlanguage2021.pdf
• https://www.nj.gov/ethics/docs/ethics/2022_uniformcode_april.pdf 

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