Strategic Associate Director, Civil Rights Investigations

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 109,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental coverage

Paid vacation and leave programs

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Job summary

Rutgers University in New Brunswick is seeking an Associate Director of Investigations to lead the Office of Civil Rights’ investigative function involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct. You will provide strategic leadership, establish standards, and ensure prompt, fair investigations across students, staff, and third parties.

The role requires a strong record of supervising investigators, deep knowledge of civil rights laws (Title IX, Title VI, VII, ADA, Section

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience conducting or overseeing investigations in civil rights, workplace, student conduct, compliance, employee relations, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Three years of supervisory experience leading investigators or other professional staff.
• Experience overseeing complex investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, disability-related matters, or comparable issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for investigations involving alleged violations of University policies related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, disability discrimination, and other civil rights matters.
• Ensure investigations are conducted promptly, equitably, impartially, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies.
• Review investigative strategies, evidence assessments, reports, and findings to ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality.
• As appropriate, conduct investigations of complex, sensitive, high-profile, or institutionally significant matters.
• Collaborate with University stakeholders to support implementation of investigative findings and recommendations.
• Monitor legal developments, regulatory guidance, and emerging best practices affecting civil rights investigations and complaint resolution.
• Develop, maintain and ensure implementation of investigative procedures, protocols, templates, and quality standards that support consistency across the University.
• Evaluate and improve investigative processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, fairness, and stakeholder experience.
• Identify trends, systemic concerns, and institutional risks arising from complaints and investigations and provide recommendations to University leadership.
• Support the development and revision of policies, procedures, and guidance related to civil rights compliance and complaint resolution.
• Serve as a member of the Office for Civil Rights leadership team and contribute to strategic planning and organizational initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop investigative staff.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures that support high-quality work and professional growth.
• Provide coaching on investigative techniques, interviewing, evidence evaluation, report writing, and case management practices.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented team culture.
• Manage investigative operations, including case assignment, workload distribution, and quality assurance.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics related to case volume, resolution timelines, outcomes, and operational effectiveness.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and analyses regarding investigative operations, trends, and compliance risks.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping and documentation consistent with legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements.
• Support budget planning and resource allocation for investigative operations.

Skills

Investigations leadership

Supervisory experience

Evidence assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic case management systems

Job description

Rutgers University in New Brunswick is seeking an Associate Director of Investigations to lead the Office of Civil Rights’ investigative function involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct. You will provide strategic leadership, establish standards, and ensure prompt, fair investigations across students, staff, and third parties.

The role requires a strong record of supervising investigators, deep knowledge of civil rights laws (Title IX, Title VI, VII, ADA, Section