Diversity & Inclusion, Affinity Groups Manager

Job Overview

Job Description

Diversity & Inclusion, Affinity Groups Manager for powerhouse global law firm. This hybrid position can be located in NYC, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, CA. The D&I Affinity Groups Manager is a member of the D&I team, driving firm wide strategic initiatives to attract, retain, and promote diverse talent and foster an inclusive environment. The Manager is primarily responsible for the development and execution of D&I programs/initiatives/activities to support the Affinity Groups and Diversity Committees.
The Affinity Groups Manager functions as a strategic advisor supporting lawyer and staff affinity groups. This position works closely with the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, D&I Cochairs, D&I Director, Affinity Group leaders, and other key stakeholders/leaders in Legal Recruiting, Professional Development, and Marketing/Business Development departments.
Duties:
Strategic Planning: Primary D&I Team point of contact for Affinity Groups, Interest Groups and their members. Collaborates with leaders of Affinity Groups, with a strategic plan for each Affinity Group supporting D&I strategy/goals. Provides strategic direction and support in defining D&I programs/initiatives in support of each group’s strategic plan; including mentoring programs, client partnerships, summer associate events, new hire events, and professional development programs. Identifies partnership opportunities between lawyer and staff Affinity Groups, and across Affinity and develops shared resources to support all Affinity Groups at the Firm. Keeps up to date with trends in the legal market, benchmarks with law firm peers, and brings new ideas to Affinity Group Leads. Supports launch of all new Affinity Groups and Interest Groups. Collects formal feedback from Affinity Group members through surveys and other formats.
Execution and Infrastructure: Facilitates regularly scheduled meetings with Leads of each Affinity Group to track progress and execute on annual group plans. Develops annual budgets for all of the Affinity and Interest Groups; assists with review/approval of expense requests. Collaborates with, and leads coordination of other members of the D&I Team including Communications and Events, to assist Affinity Groups with execution of all programs, initiatives, events and related communications, including cross-Affinity activities. Develops and implements best practices for Affinity Group infrastructure and internal processes.
Identifies and analyzes external development opportunities for women and lawyers of diverse backgrounds, LGBT+, disabled, and/or veterans, including LCLD Fellows and Pathfinders; strategically manages participation for lawyers in consultation with Professional Development and Practice Leadership. Point of contact for and manages all Affinity Group led sponsorships of external organizations; strategically manages attendance at outside conferences by Affinity Group members. Cross-Department Collaborations: Collaborates with Legal Recruiting on Affinity Group sponsored law school Affinity Group outreach and summer associate events. Liaison to Marketing and Business Development for client partnerships involving Affinity Groups. Collaborates with lawyer and staff members across Firm committees, including Pro Bono, Associate Advisory Committee, Wellbeing, to exchange information and coordinate Affinity Group initiatives. Provides additional management and support to all aspects of the D&I department as needed. Promotes a fully inclusive environment, employing effective work practices, working as a team member, and showing respect for co-workers.
Position Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required. A minimum of seven years relevant diversity or professional services experience required, law firm experience preferred. Proven progressive career growth and a pattern of exceptional performance. Demonstrated knowledge, understanding of, and exposure to the diversity, equity and inclusion field and theories of intersectionality. DEI certificate conferred a plus. Cross cultural skills and awareness. Advanced organizational skills. Possess well-developed and professional interpersonal and writing skills. Ability to design and lead meetings of lawyers and staff, to enable consensus building and decision making to articulate planning and execution of initiatives and events. Experience leading, managing, and developing direct reports and/or matrixed teams. Able to accommodate East Coast schedules.

Salary is commensurate with experience.