Manager, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

About Our Client: Our client is a leading global law firm.

Location: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto. Hybrid - 2 days a week in office.

The Opportunity:

Our client is hiring a passionate inclusion, diversity and equity (IDE) professional that will help advance, promote and measure internal and external IDE progress. Working closely with the National IDEA Council, Talent leaders and reporting to the Canada Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, this professional will support the implementation of IDEA Strategy, bring insights on IDE trends, lead and manage a range of inclusion programs, support affinity groups in their inclusion efforts and use internal and external communications channels to make the IDE strategy come to life.

This is a great role for an inclusive leader with a broad range of professional IDE experience, and will build on a candidate’s strong collaboration, communications, analytical and project management skills. Having experience in the professional services industry is an asset.

Responsibilities:

• Project manage and assist with leading strategic projects and large BAU processes, balance project timelines, budgets and conflicting priorities to ensure that IDEA priorities are fulfilled.
• Work with a cross-functional group of team members and senior leaders in Canada and across the firm’s global network to support implementation of the firm’s IDEA strategy.
• In collaboration with Canada Director, build annual IDEA calendar; track progress against deliverables, plan cadence of key council and network meetings; plan for meetings, including content development and compilation.
• Create internal and external communication plans (and content) to support and promote the firm’s IDEA strategy and pro bono efforts, including awards submissions, annual diversity indexes, website, social media and Canada Portal content.
• Manage responses to client diversity requests (including proposals) and annual reports, while supporting the broader client development team with IDE messaging.
• Manage reporting on external commitments
• Research, devise and help deliver awareness and learning programs to foster IDE engagement within the firm.
• Support the National IDEA Council, including with quarterly group meetings, brainstorming on engagement opportunities, and providing advice.
• Support affinity groups and local Belonging Networks, meeting regularly, to ensure action plans are in line with the IDEA strategy and approved budget.
• Drive connections and information-sharing opportunities across the firm, including with the National Council, affinity group leads and global peers.
• Act as a sounding board for business processes to ensure the firm is inclusive.
• Prepare the firm’s representatives for internal and external speaking opportunities with IDE key messages and information on latest IDE insights.
• Translate reporting requests from clients, appropriately sharing and providing context with the HRIS team to ensure client requests are properly actioned (i.e. the right data is provided).
• Work with Talent Services team to review data pulls, understand how to make sense of data and identify key metrics of note; derive insights and identify themes and trends, which can be used to further advance IDE goals.
• Along with Canada Director, represent the firm at key internal global roundtables and with external organizations, while building relationships with industry and community partners.
• Identify IDE opportunities for the firm using external network and industry best practices. Collaborate with other teams to help translate these opportunities to implementation.
• Independently lead IDE projects and initiatives, demonstrating accountability and thoughtfulness.
• Project manage the launch of cross-functional IDE resources and tools, as applicable.
• Collaborate with regional peers and assist with implementing global initiatives.
• Lead inclusively and model inclusive behaviours.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience in IDE.
• A bachelor’s degree and/or a certificate and/or evidence of ongoing professional development in IDE or a related area.
• Understanding of IDE trends and issues and propensity for continual learning;
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills; ability to build connections across teams and across differences to work collaboratively with low self-interest.
• Ability to work with diversity metrics and analytics; discretion on dealing with sensitive information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience with web, social media content and internal communications is an asset.
• Excellent client service skills and ability to interact directly with external clients.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented person.
• Strong project and time management skills, and the ability to work on multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Skilled with technology, including PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Ability to work under pressure, and empathetic to competing demands of other teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to privacy and ethical conduct.
• Note: as the IDE team will be supporting the firm nationally, the successful applicant will be working with teams across regions, as well as the global team. Some flexibility in scheduling of work day may be required.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please send a resume to Aman Sodi at aman.sodi@summitsearchgroup.com .

At our client’s firm, inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E) are not just ancillary values, they are foundational to their business. They believe that ID&E is essential to the shared success of their team and their clients. Their forward-thinking and inclusive culture supports the professional development of all their people, enhances the leading services they offer to their clients, and informs their commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where they live and work. As a testament to their commitment to ID&E, they have been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer’s for 13 consecutive years (2011-2023), as well as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2024) for the seventh time.

They are an equal opportunity employer and they welcome your application. All employment decisions, including hiring, will be made without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender assigned at birth, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable human rights legislation.

They are committed to providing you with an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible workplace to support your success. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please contact us at aman.sodi@summitsearchgroup.com.