REI (Recreational Equipment Inc):
Director, Diversity Equity Inclusion Job in Kent, VT

Director, Diversity Equity Inclusion Apply Share Posted Date: May-21-2019 Job ID: 14220 Job Type: Full Time Job Function: Human Resources City: Kent State: Washington Store: Kent Headquarters What's cool about this job The co-op’s business and culture thrive as a result of talented people working together to achieve the mission to get all people outside. The Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) is responsible for the leadership of REI’s DEI strategy, primarily focused on people practices through a DEI lens. This leader will scale our investment in DEI to align with REI’s mission, values, and growth agenda. The Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion will have two primary responsibilities: • Elevate DEI across the Co-op’s recruitment, development, retention and employee engagement practices • Influence and align strategies across existing bodies of work within other divisions. This role acts as a convener & facilitator across the co-op to develop and integrate strategic initiatives across business lines with others who are currently forwarding our DEI agenda. This includes Gear, Apparel & Experiences; Brand, Content & Marketing; Systems, Practices & Policy; and Community Impact & Engagement. The individual is the organization’s most senior DEI thought leader and brand advocate. They will work hand-in-hand with internal partners to evolve and communicate actionable insights and deliver direction to departments, distribution centers and retail stores. They will be accountable for building, evolving and leveraging cross-divisional partnership to align diversity goals within REI’s strategic framework. How you’ll Lead: • Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results. • Supports the implementation of company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote REI key messages. • Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results. • Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements. • Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions. • Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews. • Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees in order to achieve department, company and customer results. • Establishes and maintains visibility within the department. • Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action. Your Strategic Impact: • Own the overall growth and integration of DEI at REI. • Builds, influences, aligns and drives DEI strategy & plans across the co-op. • Prioritize, sequence and manage overall organization communications around For All initiatives, implementation and progress. • Strong collaborator and influencer - ability to reach beyond immediate scope to influence and lead change initiatives with multiple senior stakeholders. • Informs DEI training and development of all employees in coordination with the learning team. • Informs recruitment practices and metrics, in coordination with the talent acquisition team. • Establishes baseline metrics, establishes organizational and divisional goals, monitors progress and supports divisions in taking necessary action. • Develops and maintains processes and systems to hold leaders accountable for their support, implementation and eventual ownership of DEI in their divisions and departments. • Provides cultural change in support of REI’s ability to deepen its relationship to key diverse segments across employees, customers and communities. • Provide subject matter expertise, strategic planning, thought leadership and partnership with senior leadership to drive key business outcomes- specifically around recruitment & retention, employee engagement and talent development. • Recognize and respond to regional and local retail diversity needs, issues and initiatives. • Represent REI and its interests to external communities, parties and partnerships as well as assisting in the creation of an external plan supporting talent pipeline building. • Build, maintain and protect REI’s brand equity and reputation among key diverse segments. Bring your passion and expertise Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree • 5+ years in corporate leadership DEI experience with a record of furthering business strategies and creating best practices. • Superb project management skills, successful execution through collaboration, and proven results within a retail environment. • Demonstrates superb cross cultural skills with proven ability to successfully approach, build trust and negotiate across multiple cultures, markets, and community/business leaders. • Highly effective communicator and strategic thinker with the ability to clearly and concisely articulate complex ideas, unique concepts, and proposals to enroll team, peers, and management. • Experience and credibility as a leader in an environment where the ability to influence, work across divisions and build relationships is critical. • Comfort and experience in collaborating with and influencing both floor/line staff and senior leadership teams; galvanizes others into action around building more diverse and inclusive environments. • Builds capacity of individuals and teams through effective employee development, involvement, communication, and supervision efforts. • Creates a strong, mutually supportive work spirit and culture where people can do their best. • Establishes trust and inspires others. • Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics. • Delivers on commitments and holds others to same. • Champions DEI in the organization and advocates solutions in the overall co-op’s best interest. • Fosters change in company direction. • Effectively plans and executes changes. At REI we offer an enviable work environment that has been recognized on the "100 Best Companies to Work For" list since the award's inception – 22 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place. With more than 150 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 13,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more. REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer Apply Back to job search Share