Special Assistant to the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion

Fordham University Portal•Rose Hill, VA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion (VP), the Special Assistant to the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion serves as a strategic partner and advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion. This role is designed for an innovative and detail-oriented professional who can advance the university’s equity, inclusion, and opportunity priorities by ensuring effective execution of high-impact initiatives, advancing strategic planning efforts, and supporting institutional accountability measures. Acting as a bridge between the Vice President, University stakeholders, and external partners, the Special Assistant will provide strategic project management, policy alignment, and operational oversight. The role supports the implementation of university-wide DEI initiatives, oversees strategic reporting processes, and ensures integration of OEIO’s programs, including CSTEP / STEP , HEOP , and Student Support Services, into broader institutional goals.

Requirements

Strategic partner and advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion.
Innovative and detail-oriented professional.
Advance university’s equity, inclusion, and opportunity priorities.
Ensure effective execution of high-impact initiatives.
Advance strategic planning efforts.
Support institutional accountability measures.
Act as a bridge between the Vice President, University stakeholders, and external partners.
Provide strategic project management, policy alignment, and operational oversight.
Support the implementation of university-wide DEI initiatives.
Oversee strategic reporting processes.
Ensure integration of OEIO’s programs (CSTEP / STEP, HEOP, Student Support Services) into broader institutional goals.
Provide analysis, recommendations, and briefings on equity, access, and inclusion strategies.
Partner with university leaders to align OEIO initiatives with the University Strategic Plan and Mission Priority Examen.
Draft executive-level communications, reports, and presentations.
Lead and monitor project timelines, deliverables, and outcomes for strategic initiatives within OEIO.
Support policy development and compliance related to federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Coordinate strategic plan reporting, annual DEI Council deliverables, and Board of Trustees’ Mission and Social Justice Committee activities.
Serve as a liaison between OEIO and senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, and external partners.
Prepare, track, and reconcile annual divisional budgets.
Monitor financial expenditures and maintain accurate records.
Compile, organize, and submit data reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Manage the institutional portfolio of the university’s strategic plan.
Establish performance-tracking structures.
Coordinate cross-unit initiatives across administrative and academic sectors.
Assist with the logistics, scheduling, and coordination of divisional events, workshops, and trainings.
Provide administrative support to the Vice President in connection with the University’s Council on Equity, Belonging, and Accessibility.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in education, leadership, business administration, or a related discipline.
Project Management certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent).
Experience with federally/state-funded opportunity programs (HEOP, TRIO, CSTEP/STEP).
Familiarity with Jesuit, Catholic higher education and mission-driven work.

Responsibilities

Serves as a key advisor to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, providing analysis, recommendations, and briefings on equity, access, and inclusion strategies.
Partners with university leaders to align OEIO initiatives with the University Strategic Plan and Mission Priority Examen.
Drafts executive-level communications, reports, and presentations for the Vice President, senior leadership, trustees, and external partners.
Leads and monitors project timelines, deliverables, and outcomes for strategic initiatives within OEIO, ensuring institutional accountability.
Supports policy development and compliance related to federal, state, and institutional regulations, particularly as they pertain to opportunity programs and DEI initiatives.
Coordinates strategic plan reporting, annual DEI Council deliverables, and Board of Trustees’ Mission and Social Justice Committee activities.
Serves as a liaison between OEIO and senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, and external partners, including government officials and community organizations.
Prepares, tracks, and reconciles annual divisional budgets in collaboration with the Vice President and divisional program directors; monitor financial expenditures and maintain accurate records in accordance with university policies and grantor requirements.
Compiles, organizes, and submits data reports for internal and external stakeholders, including for annual reporting, accreditation, and grant compliance purposes.
Collaborates with the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Implementation to manage the institutional portfolio of the university’s strategic plan, establish performance-tracking structures, and coordinate cross-unit initiatives across administrative and academic sectors.
Assists with the logistics, scheduling, and coordination of divisional events, workshops, and trainings designed to advance equity, inclusion, and belonging across the university community.
Provides administrative support to the Vice President in connection with the University’s Council on Equity, Belonging, and Accessibility, including coordinating meeting schedules, preparing materials, tracking action items, and supporting communication with council members.