Director, Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance/Deputy Title VI Coordinator

Department: Civil Rights & Title IX Compl
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Consistent with Northwestern's commitment to fostering a culture of access, belonging, and accountability, the Director, Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance has primary responsibility for leading the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (OCR) responses to incoming reports concerning students, faculty, staff, and third parties and overseeing the assessment of all such reports, including whether the reported conduct creates or may create a hostile environment for the University community.

Working with other leaders in OCR, the Director works to respond to all incoming reports of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct and leads outreach and follow-up in matters involving student, faculty, staff, and third parties. The Director oversees the case management process and supervises Case Managers who conduct intake meetings with parties, gather additional information regarding reports, and arrange for the provision of supportive measures, providing guidance and support as appropriate. The Director co-facilitates sanctioning panel processes in student matters, tracks and manages case data, and monitors complaint activity for patterns or systemic issues or barriers to reporting. The Director consults on the annual review and revision of the OCR's policies and works with other team members in the development of outreach, educational, and other resource materials.

The Director oversees the Outreach and Education function of the office and supervises the Outreach and Education Coordinator who provides training and outreach opportunities on policies and procedures for OCR.

The Director serves as the Deputy Title VI Coordinator, monitoring OCR systems for trends pertaining to hostile environment under Title VI, advising University partners on risks, trends, and best practices related to Title VI compliance, and working closely with the Associate Vice President and Senior Director to ensure a comprehensive response to reports involving Title VI, including shared ancestry.

The Director partners with the Senior Director, Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, and other team members to coordinate responses. The Director works closely and is expected to partner with multiple campus offices including the Dean of Students, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Community Enrichment, Office of Human Resources, the Office of the Provost, and University Police to lead the OCR response to discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct matters. The Director reports to the Associate Vice President, Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

• Report Response. Oversee the provision of comprehensive, trauma-informed response and support services to students, faculty, staff, and third parties reporting sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment. Conduct intake meetings, provide information about reporting options, facilitate connection with resources, and address immediate safety needs. Conduct a comprehensive review of all available information to determine appropriate resolution options and whether reports indicate individuals may have been subjected to a hostile environment. Lead the review of all reports for initial inquiry with the OCR Case Managers and, as necessary, Sr. Director, Associate Vice President, ADA Coordinator, or investigative team.
• Case Management. Manage reports involving students, faculty, staff, and third parties from receipt to resolution. Manage contact with parties in matters throughout any investigation and hearing processes. Notify respondents of allegations, pending investigations, and policies of concern. Work with the Senior Director for Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance to ensure timely coordination between initial report review and investigation. Conduct educational response meetings. Arrange for the implementation of supportive measures, liaising with academic units, administrative offices, and law enforcement, as needed.
• Alternative Resolution: Conduct educational response meetings and facilitate alternative resolutions pursuant to University policy. Train and oversee OCR team members who are responsible for conducting alternative resolutions. Maintain data and case records associated with educational responses and alternative resolutions.
• Data tracking and reporting. Maintain an up-to-date case management database, organizing and tracking all reports. Monitor activity to track patterns and systemic concerns and any barriers to reporting. Assist with preparation of the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act annual report, OCR annual report, and quarterly insurance logs. Serve as a Campus Security Authority and work with the Clery Coordinator to provide needed data for the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
• Policy Review. With office leadership, lead the annual review and development of OCR's policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with all national, state, and local regulation and guidance related to sexual misconduct including, but not limited to: Title VI, Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act, the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act and other legal requirements in handling civil rights matters. Consult on the preparation of comprehensive educational materials and resources.
• Crisis Response. Respond to critical incidents involving discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct matters, including those arising during evening and weekend hours. Serve as a member of the University's Behavioral Consultation Team.
• Training and Outreach: Supervise the Outreach and Education Coordinator responsible for conducting training and outreach activities on the policies and procedures that the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance is responsible for, including but not limited to trainings and programming addressing sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, reporting options and reporting obligations for students, faculty, and staff.

• J.D. or Master's degree in higher education administration, student services, counseling, conflict management, social work or a related field. J.D. preferred.
• 7+ years of professional experience in increasingly responsible positions in higher education, student affairs, Title VI, Title IX, or civil rights.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title VI, including Title VI's protections for individuals who face discrimination on the basis of their actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristic, or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity, Title IX, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and other applicable laws and regulations, and the ability to interpret complex legal guidance; knowledge of best practices as they relate to campus responses to Title VI reports and Title IX/sexual misconduct reports.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate confidential and difficult/sensitive information and to demonstrate compassion and sensitivity when interacting with participants.
• Ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across the University and experience working with faculty, staff, and student populations.
• Knowledge of university disciplinary systems and relevant regulatory/legal issues.
• Knowledge, experience, and training in addressing issues related to sex discrimination and sexual violence.
• Knowledge, experience, and training in addressing issues related to Title VI protections for individuals who face discrimination on the basis of their actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristic, or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity
• Ability to efficiently manage a caseload of multiple civil rights-related incidents and complaints.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to write concise, logical, and analytical reports and correspondence.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to act independently, take initiative, and exercise sound judgment.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies (staff, students, faculty, parents, and administrators) with diplomacy and tact.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $139,000-$148,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.