GovHRUSA
The City of Austin, Texas (pop 964,177) seeks a dynamic equity leader as its next Chief Equity Officer. This executive-level position is located in the Management Services Department and reports to the Chief of Staff. The successful candidate will have both internal and public-facing responsibilities to facilitate, advocate for, and institutionalize equitable and inclusive policies, practices, and outcomes. The City’s first Chief Equity Officer departed for another role after establishing the Equity Office and leading its efforts for six years.
As the capital city of Texas, Austin is the fourth most populous city in the state and has developed a reputation as a hub for technology and arts & culture. Known as The Live Music Capital of the World and home to the University of Texas at Austin and the internationally acclaimed South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, the city sits within a growing metropolitan region of 2.28 million residents. Austinites are active and engaged in their community and prize the city’s heritage and eclectic, small-town feel. In fact, the Equity Office and the Equity Assessment Tool grew from the efforts of a multiracial coalition of Austinites committed to addressing persistent racial disparities in the city.
- The Equity Office has a Fiscal Year 2023 budget of $2.9 million, 12 full-time equivalent positions, and 5 temporary positions. The office liaises with the City’s Quality of Life Advisory Commissions, Joint Inclusion Committee, and Equity Action Team, and administers the Equity Assessment Tool. The office also conducts training, collaborates with City departments on their policies and programs, convenes occasional townhalls, and coordinates quality of life assessments.
- The City has adopted a racial equity lens and an intersectional approach to other marginalized identities in response to data identifying race as the most consequential predictor of quality of life. The next Chief Equity Officer should possess a deep understanding of institutionalized racism and the ability to engage and gain buy-in with individuals across the spectrum of marginalized identities. As in most cities, Austin’s marginalized communities face continuing inequities related but not limited to housing affordability, health, policing, and economic mobility. Among the issues the Chief Equity Officer will engage with are the proposed expansion of Interstate 35 and the City’s high-capacity transit system expansion known as Project Connect, and their potential impact on minority communities.
- Character is as important as knowledge and experience for this role. Thus, the ideal candidate will be an individual known for integrity, empathy, and courage with lived experience as someone who has endured oppression. They could be described as an “amenable disruptor” who embraces positive conflict. They prioritize listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities above their own and believe in co-creating a vision with those who will be affected by it. They exercise strong resolve and an ability to navigate controversial issues with determination and accountability while seeking positive outcomes.
- Given the responsibilities of the role, some combination of the following skills, abilities, and experience are necessary: sophisticated and adaptable communication skills; strong analytical skills with an emphasis on equity analysis; a firm grasp of change management, strategic planning, and systems thinking approaches; experience with local government budgeting and the ability to effectively navigate city government; grassroots advocacy experience; and an outcome-focused leadership approach.
Qualifications: Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Public Administration, or in a field related to the job, plus seven (7) years of diversity program related experience, two (2) years in a managerial capacity. A Master’s degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience. The salary range for this position is $155,000 – $165,000. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; compensated leave; short-term disability; and retirement benefits. The City is a member of the Proportionate Retirement Program. Apply by March 15, 2023, to the attention of Dele Lowman, Senior Vice President, and Byron Marshall, Co-Managing Director of i4x, Tel: 847-380-3240 x141.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2023
Posted: 2023-03-08
