Chief Diversity Officer at Father Bills & Mainspring

Father Bill's & MainSpring is committed to ending and preventing homelessness in Southern Massachusetts with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. We help people who are struggling with homelessness or are at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.

Father Bill's & MainSpring is a growing and dynamic social service agency with particular expertise in emergency and permanent housing, job training and placement, and prevention services for individuals and families in need. Over the next five years, our strategic focus includes an increase in affordable, permanent supportive housing, a more efficient model of care for families experiencing homelessness, commitment to an enhanced delivery model to reduce the need for shelter, and improved community relations in order to achieve these goals. Our staff are thoughtful and caring individuals who share our passion for these ideals and creative approaches to helping people improve their lives.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are central to the mission of Father Bill's and MainSpring House, as we strive to provide holistic support to individuals and families facing homelessness and housing instability. Embracing DEI principles ensures that the organization's services are accessible and relevant to people from all backgrounds, addressing systemic barriers and fostering an environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect. By integrating DEI into our mission, Father Bill's and MainSpring House not only enhances our effectiveness in meeting the diverse needs of our clients but also contributes to a more equitable and inclusive community.

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is an executive leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CDO will be partnering with other senior leaders to develop and drive forward the key strategies of the organization. The CDO will be critical to our commitment to be a diverse, antiracist, equitable, and inclusive organization. S/he/they are responsible for setting and implementing an overarching vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for Father Bill's and MainSpring -both at the programmatic and administrative levels -that works to eliminate systemic organizational marginalization and promotes inclusion and anti-racist practices that will be evidenced through our structures, customs and leadership. This position requires an inspiring, collaborative, courageous, innovative, and visionary leader with outstanding people and management skills.

• Establish a multi-year equity and inclusion plan and recommend resources
• Create inclusion and advocacy programming to support Father Bill and MainSpring's mission and shelters in partnership with the CEO and Sr. Director Government and Community Relations
• Build a strong working relationship with the Board of Directors in order to support the Board in the advancement of its DEI priorities.
• Identifying areas of the organization's DEI policies/initiatives that could use improvement and building strategies for enhancing them.
• Collect data and/or research the area's demographics and community to ensure that the workplace is well represented.
• Planning and hosting special events within the workplace that celebrate different cultures, bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives together in partnership with the internal DEI committee.
• In partnership with HR, properly address concerns or complaints from employees as they relate to DEI or discrimination issues.

• Manage budgets with fiscal responsibility-setting and adhering to budgets and partnering with Finance to ensure fiscal compliance.
• Ensure compliance with financial, programmatic, and other contractual obligations, and partner with relevant teams for effective contract management and program fidelity.
• Learn and understand the roles and department responsibilities for each area of the agency in an effort to ensure a holistic lens and approach to all decision making.
• Collaborate cross functionally, engage others in decision making by asking for input and feedback and ensure transparency in communications.
• In partnership with the Executive Team, play an integral role in agency-wide strategic planning.
• Collaborate, support, and participate in on-site and off-site external relations initiatives that foster positive community engagement for the advancement of the organization's mission and goals. This includes, but is not limited to, funder and donor visits, volunteerism, and representing FBMS in the community.
• Collectively ensuring a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment by fostering diversity, promoting employee engagement, and upholding ethical standards while supporting teams throughout the agency

• Strong knowledge and understanding of all laws related to DEI and anti-discrimination, including (but not limited to):
  1. Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
  2. MA Paid Family and Medical Leave
  3. Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1866
  4. Equal Pay Act of 1963
  5. Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
  6. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  7. Title IX
  8. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Experience building and presenting company-wide training programs related to DEI and the ability to keep initiatives on track.
• Demonstrated ability to establish clear DEI metrics and hold the organization accountable for progress.
• High cultural competence and sensitivity to various cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
• Empathy and the ability to understand and respect people regardless of their unique backgrounds and experiences.
• Commitment to continuous learning to stay informed about the latest DEI trends, research, and best practices.
• Strong listening and communication skills (both written and verbal) including intercultural communication.
• Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

• Safety & Security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Travel: Local travel may be required. Valid driver's license and good driving record required.
• Physical Demands: The Chief Diversity Officer role involves a combination of desk work, meetings, and local travel between offices.
  1. Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time.
  2. Ability to use a computer and other general office equipment.
  3. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
  4. Ability to move between meetings or office locations, if applicable.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Other duties as assigned may be part of the job.

Father Bill's & MainSpring is an equal opportunity employer.