NAELA's CareerCenter

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Frost Brown Todd LLP, a national law firm with 1000+ legal and business professionals in sixteen markets, is currently seeking an experienced Chief Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Belonging Officer to join our firm. This position is responsible for the implementation of the firm’s inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging strategic plan and goals.

Job responsibilities include:

• Contributing thought leadership to the development and implementation of innovative systems, processes, initiatives, and policies to advance and cultivate inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging (IDEB) throughout the firm working with firm leaders.
• Working with the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Belonging Committee, the Women’s Initiative Steering Committee, UNITE Committee, and affinity groups to design and lead IDEB organizational structures, processes, and initiatives to achieve progress toward the firm’s IDEB goals.
• Reporting monthly to the CEO on progress, innovative ideas, and any obstacles to achieving progress toward the firm’s strategic goals. Continually collaborating with firm leaders (including the Chairman, CEO, COO, Legal Personnel Committees, Department Chairs, Practice Group Leaders, Recruiting Committee, Office Partners-in-Charge, CLTO, and CHRO) to promote best practices and identify barriers to increasing the hiring, retention, and advancement of the firm’s diverse talent. 
• Building relationships with lawyers and business professionals, national thought leaders on IDEB, and clients to learn and share diversity best practices and partner with them on diversity-related programs and initiatives.
• Monitoring the professional development, utilization and career progression of diverse lawyers in the firm, reviewing performance evaluations of diverse associates to identify biases/need for bias interrupters and conducting or overseeing stay interviews and exit interviews of all diverse attorneys and sharing themes with the CLTO and firm leadership. 
• Collaborating with the Marketing and Finance Departments to draft, manage, and respond to diversity surveys, request for proposals, client diversity plans, and diversity-related client requests.
• Evaluating, prioritizing, and managing the completion of external certifications, awards, and recognitions (including the Mansfield Rule, Corporate Equality Index, Women in Law Empowerment Forum, etc.). 
• Coordinating participation with external diversity organizations (including the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program, Diverse by Design, and the Columbus Managing Partner initiative, etc.) as well as collaborating with the Chief Marketing Officer and the Office Partners-in-Charge to evaluate firm sponsorships of diversity programs and events in our markets.
• Developing and leading the firm’s IDEB training, education programming, workshops, seminars, and retreats. 
• Serving in leadership positions on high-profile diversity and inclusion boards. Attending and speaking at leading diversity conferences and facilitating relationships between individuals at the firm and leading diversity organizations. 
• Collaborating with firm clients to address their DEI goals and to promote the firm’s IDEB initiatives and accomplishments.
• Evaluating and leading the firm’s pipeline efforts (including Summer Work Experience in Law, Law & Leadership Institute, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Mentoring program, Nashville Bar Association’s Pipeline Program, Central High School Pipeline Program, and the firm’s scholarship program). 
• Directing and managing regular communication of the firm’s IDEB initiatives and progress internally and externally.
• Preparing and managing the annual IDEB budget and consulting with the Women’s Initiative and UNITE Committee Chairs on their budgets.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree is required; JD is strongly preferred.
• Passion for inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging work.
• Proven inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging leadership experience within a law firm or professional services organization.
• Expertise in exercising influence and diplomacy, establishing effective relationships in a matrixed organization, as well as ability to work well with others at all levels within the firm.
• Skill and willingness to actively participate in the work and see initiatives through to completion. 
• Demonstrated success in working collaboratively to develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies focused on building a diverse workforce.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; superior presentation skills.
• Demonstrated success building trust and collaborating with leaders at all levels.
• Track record of participation in leadership development programs is preferred.
• A history of participation in civic, charitable, political, and/or community activities.
• Superior judgment and ability to deal discreetly with highly confidential information.
• Initiative-taking; ability to work independently.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Cross-cultural skills and awareness related to individuals from broad backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, among others.
• Ability to understand unconscious bias and its effect on recruiting and hiring.

Frost Brown Todd offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401k/profit sharing retirement plans.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Frost Brown Todd is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Frost Brown Todd to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, milit