SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CULTURE + EQUITY

Reports to: President & CEO

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Location: New England (Boston preference)

ABOUT CLF

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the market to solve the region’s most challenging environmental problems, from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders—in state houses, court houses and board rooms, regulatory hearings, and community gatherings—to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and those that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, who often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation. CLF is committed to diversity among our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive.

CLF’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY + EQUITY

Our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. We do not expect candidates to possess every one of the qualifications described in this job description. If you read this and are inspired to bring your expertise in culture and equity to the environmental justice movement in New England, we hope you will apply. Leaders who identify as Gender-queer, People of Color, or people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As part of CLF’s commitment to building a more equitable and impactful organization, CLF is seeking an experienced Senior Vice President of Equity + Culture to join the executive leadership team, reporting to the President.

The SVP will lead transformational work to develop and drive the vision for an inclusive and equitable workplace, enabling CLF to live our values, vision, and mission from the inside out. This position will scale CLF’s DEI ambition, collaborating with senior leaders to build strategies that more fully integrate equity and justice throughout the organization. The SVP brings expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion to advance crucial conversations and to strengthen CLF’s policies and practices as we execute an inspiring new strategic plan.

Most importantly, this position will scale CLF’s DEI vision and efforts by asking tough questions, identifying + confronting challenging behaviors or practices, facilitating healthy dialogue, and building strategies for how to more fully integrate DEI throughout the organization’s work and culture.

The position is based in New England with expectations for building a strong presence in the Boston office. Candidates residing in New England are encouraged to apply with preference given to those residing in or planning to relocate to the Boston area.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership: Vision + Strategy

• Establish a DEI vision, rationale, and theory of change that deepens CLF’s commitment to equity and cultivates lasting organizational change
• Create and drive a collaborative organization-wide DEI strategic plan that leverages DEI work to date, organizational strengths and inspires continuous learning.
• Develop a series of benchmarks or metrics to measure the impact of the DEI strategy and DEI programming
• Serve as a thought leader and expert on DEI, both internally and externally
• Oversee DEI departmental budget and other administrative needs

Senior Leadership + Peer Leadership Development

• Act as a trusted thought partner and strategic advisor to the President
• Actively participate on the Executive Council, bringing innovative ideas and promoting accountability for CLF to more fully integrate DEI into every aspect of its work
• Participate on the Senior Team as a leader, thought partner, and resource for cultivating a more equitable organization and promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging
• Support the President, Executive Council, and Vice Presidents for CLF’s state offices in promoting a culture of learning and DEI skills development among the CLF Board of Directors and State Advisory Boards

Workplace Culture + Staff Engagement

• Manage a team of DEI-focused staff that is well-supported and poised to drive progress on the DEI plan and initiatives
• Partner with CLF’s employee resource groups (ERGs) in creating change, championing a positive and inclusive culture, and soliciting feedback on organizational policies and goals
• Lead and innovate on CLF’s voluntary staff DEI committee to leverage the interests, talents, and skills of CLF staff in promoting a more equitable and inclusive organization
• Partner closely with Human Resources to create and implement strategies to foster an inclusive, enjoyable, and equitable organizational culture that values feedback, learning, and accountability

Education, Continuous Learning + Skills Development

• Identify areas of strategic learning for staff and Board skill development in building awareness, competency, and fluency in DEI issues
• Conduct or contract facilitators for in-house trainings and workshops targeting learning edges
• Develop communication strategies to raise awareness of DEI efforts, needs, and progress throughout the organization
• Participate in external networks to enhance individual understanding of movement best practices, trends, and developments in the field of DEI

CANDIDATE PROFILE, CORE & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

With a proven ability to create and communicate a compelling vision for culture and equity within an organization, the new SVP, Culture + Equity brings deep expertise in leading organizational change initiatives, especially those related to cultural transformation and DEI integration.

The SVP possesses exceptional communication skills and a track record of collaborating cross-functionally, influencing senior leadership, and engaging and inspiring diverse stakeholders at all organizational levels to build a culture of inclusion, belonging, and equity. They bring an advanced understanding of power, privilege, and systemic oppression and outstanding facilitation skills to effectively guide others through difficult conversations related to race, gender, power, privilege, and similar topics.

The successful candidate demonstrates high emotional intelligence, practicing empathy, self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-improvement. They model ethical leadership, comfort with discomfort, and the ability to engage in generative discussion while challenging cultural norms. Leveraging their familiarity with frameworks, tools, and methodologies to address systemic bias, the chosen candidate will lead and amplify organizational learning and champion improvements in CLF’s policies and practices in the pursuit of our mission. The SVP will apply their expertise in creating systems and practices that hold leaders and employees accountable for fostering an inclusive culture, including individual DEI goals.

We anticipate that the most competitive candidates will have 10+ years of executive-level experience making critical strategic organization-wide decisions, previously held a diversity, equity, and inclusion role, and 5+ years managing people and building strong teams. Other preferred experiences include:

• Familiarity with the nonprofit sector
• Curriculum design and training
• Human resource management