Chief Diversity Officer (HEO)

City University of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 141,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

City University of New York seeks a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) to lead development and administration of policies promoting compliance with federal and state laws and CUNY regulations, with emphasis on diversity, discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.

The CDO supervises staff, guides diversity programs, coordinates Title VI/IX efforts, and collaborates with Counsel, HR and Public Safety to ensure fair, merit-based personnel practices and a respectful campus climate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and eight years' relevant experience required.
• JD from an accredited law school preferred.
• Master’s Degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience in a higher education institution conducting investigations and a record of success in EEO/AA.
• Familiarity with Title VI, VII, IX and disability laws.
• Ability to draft, review and apply the law to investigations.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical and oral/written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Responsibilities

• Directs development and administration of Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination policies and programs.
• Investigates complaints under Title VI, VII, IX, and related laws; conducts intake, interviews, and prepares reports.
• Leads in creation of diversity and compliance training and resources.
• Oversees recruitment, equity reviews, and salary offers for fairness and parity.
• Collaborates with Chief Counsel, HR, and Public Safety on Title IX compliance and related mandates.
• Engages with stakeholders to address diversity and inclusion on campus.
• Acts as liaison to CUNY leadership and participates in CDO council meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the President or designee.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Oral and written communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Juris Doctor (JD)

Master’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Investigative/case management software

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Reporting to the Office of Legal Affairs, the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) leads the development, implementation and administration of relevant policies and procedures that promote compliance with Federal and State laws and CUNY regulations, with particular emphasis on patterns or systemic problems of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and workplace diversity. The CDO provides staff supervision and development, leads campus diversity and compliance initiatives, and maintains the highest level of confidentiality and integrity with faculty, staff, and students.

Other responsibilities of the CDO include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directs the implementation of the City University of New York’s Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination policy and will lead the College’s Office of Diversity and Compliance, as well as the creation of diversity and compliance programs, activities, and initiatives designed to foster a climate that encourages respect for diversity amongst faculty, staff, and student groups.
• Investigates and oversees investigations of complaints asserted under Titles VI and VII, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title IV, federal, state and local Disability Law, CUNY policy and under any other law that prohibits discrimination based on a protected status.
• Responds to and investigates allegations of violations of CUNY’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy, and CUNY’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct, which includes conducting intake meetings, providing initial assessments of allegations, interviewing parties and witnesses, reviewing evidence, and preparing investigative reports.
• Leads in the preparation of internal and external reports regarding the College's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action efforts and accomplishments, including the federally mandated Affi…
• Collaborates with the Chief Counsel, Human Resources and Public Safety on implementation of and compliance with CUNY’s Title IX policy, and ensures compliance with the College's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO ) and Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) mandates regarding Section 504/ADA, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and other related matters.
• Consults regularly with Chief Counsel, Student Affairs leadership, Human Resources, Public Safety, and the Office of the Provost.
• Counsels College's administration, faculty and staff regarding equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies, procedures and compliance issues and fosters the integration of best practices.
• Monitors the recruitment, appointment and retention processes for all faculty and staff positions in accordance with University Bylaws and federal and state laws pertaining to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, including providing required CDO review and approval at key stages of the search process; lead search committee charge meetings; advise on complex or escalated recruitment and selection issues; review recruitment plans and search documentation; review and approve candidates selected for interview and finalist consideration to ensure selections are fair, equitable, and merit-based; approve proposed salary offers following compensation analysis to ensure equity and parity.
• Maintains current knowledge and materials related to laws, rules, regulations, and best practices for advancing EEO/Diversity.
• Develops and delivers training, educational programs, guidance materials, resource guides, and communications related to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, equal opportunity, diversity, and compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and related policies and procedures.
• Oversees and reviews the development and drafting of the annual Evaluation and Plan for Employment of Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and State requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), Governor Hochul’s Executive Order 31, and applicable CUNY policies and Board of Trustee resolutions.
• Serves as Title VI Coordinator.
• Serves as the Domestic Violence Agency Liaison (DVAL) overseeing implementation of responsibilities under CUNY’s Domestic Violence and the Workplace Policy, including serving as a resource for employees impacted by domestic violence; coordinating workplace responses, resources, and referrals; collecting, reviewing, and compiling required institutional data and completing semiannual University reporting related to gender-based violence and workplace incidents; completing required New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) training; and participating in University-wide DVAL meetings, initiatives, and compliance efforts.
• Collaborates with various stakeholders and student groups to address diversity and inclusion issues on campus and faculty and staff grievance issues related to diversity and inclusion.
• Serves as Chief Diversity Officer Liaison to CUNY and attends meetings of CUNY’s Chief Diversity Officer Council.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and eight years' relevant experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Master’s Degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience in a higher education institution conducting investigations and a record of success in EEO/AA.
• Demonstrable familiarity with regulatory requirements, laws and guidelines, including federal, state and local laws such as Title VI, VII & IX, New York States Human Rights Law, and New York City Commission of Human Rights Act.
• Ability to draft, review and comprehensively apply the law to fact-based investigations & scenarios.
• Previous experience supervising staff.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical and oral/written communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Familiarity with investigative/case management software.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Oversees programs, activities, and initiatives designed to foster a climate that respects pluralism and diversity.

• Develops effective strategies to promote diversity in faculty and staff hiring and actively participates in building strong networks and recruitment sources
• Serves as a key recruiting team member, coordinating recruitment plans, advertising, and selection processes
• Implements the College's Affi…
• Collects and analyzes data for College and University reports
• Develops and presents training programs and disseminates information related to Diversity, EEO, and other compliance at the College
• Coordinates with University offices to assure consistency of University-wide policies
• Maintains current knowledge and materials related to laws, rules, regulations, and best practices for advancing EEO/Diversity
• Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$141,325 - $150,770. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled, with review of resumes to begin on or after November 3, 2026.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Location: NYC College of Technology

Job Type: Full-Time