Director, Diversity and Inclusion

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means being part of a community and striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Denver and Los Angeles – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to our residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to make their mark.

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President, HR, the D&I Director will execute on and further refine Equity’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy, lead projects and programs that impact Equity Residential’s diversity representation, inclusive culture, and employee experience with a specific focus on gender equality, ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, employees, as well as veterans and employees with disabilities. The D&I Director will be a key thought leader and advisor who keeps abreast of marketplace best practices and opportunities for Equity, while ensuring our D&I strategy is deeply integrated into the fabric of Equity’s culture and talent processes. The D&I Director will also complete surveys and seek out opportunities for Equity to tell its story and lead communications efforts in support of Equity Values (Diversity and Inclusion, Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Total Wellbeing) to enhance employee engagement, increase awareness, and transparency both internally and externally. Because D&I needs to be cultivated at all levels and within all departments, a big part of this role is to influence others to become excited about and co-own D&I as a means to develop talent, promote diversity, and foster an open and inclusive environment.

WHO YOU ARE

?        Knowledgeable and Analytical. Ability to handle complex issues with discretion, serving as mediator and guide to successful conflict resolution across all levels of the organization.

?        Results and Solution-Oriented. You demonstrate an inherent sense of urgency to drive great results, while being precise in executing your work. You are facile with creating and communicating a clear project plan, tracking progress, and keeping your business partners in the loop along the way. You like thinking outside the box to come up with innovative points of view on new challenges, relying on your previous analytic work and experience to help guide you along the way.

?        Intellectually Curious.  You're inherently interested in the "why" so that you can identify opportunities that represent unconventional solutions to the problems you are trying to solve.

?        A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are concise, articulate, and effective, providing an ability to interact with all levels/various teams across the organization, be understood, and develop trust and rapport within the organization.

?        A Trusted Team Player. You enjoy partnering with others and build constructive working relationships that foster the collaboration necessary to deliver great results. You are accountable to your teammates and follow through on commitments.

?        Organized and Confident. You are flexible, composed, and able to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, while confidently interacting with a variety of individuals, across all levels of the organization. You handle pressure well and do so with confidence.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Cultivate and Leverage Partnerships

?      Work closely with HR partners to analyze, evaluate and report on D&I in Equity’s Talent processes. Influence better decisions related to people practices and HR priorities through compelling data, analysis and recommendations for Equity’s business that aligns with the company's people values.

?      In partnership with the Recruiting Team, develop and cultivate partnerships with high schools, colleges and professional associations to attract culturally diverse students and other professionals to Equity.

?      Partner closely with Organization Talent & Development to embed D&I in learning programs and meeting facilitation. Through employee learning and development, build diversity and inclusion awareness at all levels by helping leaders and employees identify unconscious bias, and by fostering meaningful connections with others.

Metrics, Analysis & Reporting

?      Complete various surveys in order to benchmark Equity’s D&I strategies, and identify the best practices / approaches of leading organizations and thought experts, to recommend opportunities for Equity.

?      Monitor metrics and KPIs, to develop an effective reporting system that measures the impact and effectiveness of Equity’s goals and ongoing activities for diversity and inclusion programs.

?      Support the collection and analysis of multiple internal data points that provide information on D&I, including number of diverse candidates presented for management positions, pay and rewards equity, D&I learning participation, D&I engagement statements, etc.

?      Contribute to and publish the annual D&I Report and company and leadership scorecards, as well as provide strategic advice on how to improve scores to create excellent business outcomes.

Communications & Facilitation

?      Work closely with multiple stakeholders, such as HR, Communications, Marketing and Investor Relations, to identify opportunities for cross-functional collaboration that furthers Equity’s narrative around a safe, forward-thinking and inclusive employer of choice.

?      Serve as internal expert and external representative on D&I strategic plan for multi-family housing industry and volunteerism issues.

?      Assist in the development, implementation and communication of the company-wide Diversity & Inclusion plan with the input of key stakeholders and leadership team members. Actively promote employee awareness of and engagement with D&I.

?      Support the Equity Values Council and its members in promoting the company’s core values by facilitating connection between the Council members, sharing market updates and encouraging members to share their own stories. Look for opportunities to tell Equity’s overall story internally and externally.

?      Facilitate open and honest discussions about diversity and inclusion in order to advance Equity’s safe and inclusive culture.

?      Perform other duties as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

?        Bachelor's Degree and 7+ years’ experience in the HR and or Diversity and Inclusion space is required; multi-family housing or hospitality industry a plus.

?        The ideal candidate will be a natural communicator and leader with deep and relevant experience and strong professional and business presence, a highly collaborative and inclusive style, and will possess a passion and drive for effecting change.

?        Demonstrated experience developing and executing diversity and inclusion strategies and programs

?        Excellent project management, change management, and operational skills

?        Ability to handle complex issues with discretion, serving as a mediator and guide to successful conflict resolution across all levels of the organization.

?        Superior analytical skills with the ability to use data to create, develop and execute positive people strategies.

?        Ability to communicate successfully across the organization, both verbally and in writing.

?        Demonstrated experience as a hands-on doer who loves building and executing positive and impactful people programs.

?        Excel at, and deeply enjoy, partnering with team members on delivering programs and events.

REWARDS

We recognize that everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique benefits options to employees, like pet insurance and paid time off for community service projects. To learn more, view our Total Wellbeing page here.