Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (Remote)

We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose - driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Our culture values diversity, engagement, and discovery

Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive and diverse workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through inclusive programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-diversity/.

Our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging will work across the business to help evolve and lead a multi-year, cross-functional plan to embed our DEIB values into all aspects of our work. The role has an overarching purpose to evolve our culture so that we;

• Increase the diversity and representation of our workforce population, including specific strategies and efforts around how Cengage hires, develops, and promotes.
• Enable and support our employees to drive individual and collective impacts on DEIB topics at Cengage Group.
• Drive inclusive learning and further embed inclusion principles into talent processes, like talent reviews, performance management, people leader behavior, and onboarding.

We are seeking someone with the skill, passion and experience to deliver DEIB programming across a large, matrixed organization. The role will report to Cengage's VP of Talent & Inclusion, and work in close partnership with Cengage's Chief People Officer, Talent Team Directors, and a to-be-formed Executive Inclusion Steering Committee.

What you'll do here:

• Deliver and support our DEIB strategy: Coordinate and collaborate with DEIB working groups and employee cultural ambassadors to advance ongoing initiatives (e.g., Employee Resource Groups, Learning Center of Excellence, Talent Acquisition, etc.). Develop critical metrics to assess the impact of DEIB-related initiatives, training, and communication, relationships and teams. Build and deliver tools that support the visibility and clarity of relevant working groups and of the organizational progress toward the DEIB vision and goals of Cengage.
• Measure and Communicate progress: Develop critical metrics to assess the impact of DEIB-related initiatives, training, and communication, relationships and teams. Lead Diversity Workforce Analytics and resulting action planning. Partner with Internal Communications, PR, and Marketing to build and lead communication plans to update employees and other internal/external partners on progress.
• Provide leadership and guidance to our ERGs: As a visible part of our commitment to DEIB, provide leadership and steering to our ERGs to continue their impact on the culture of inclusion we aim to maintain at Cengage. Provide structure as needed, mentorship, budgetary counsel, and support for ERG leaders and members.
• Partner in evolving and advocating the strategy: Recognize and respond to issues and initiatives to ensure appropriate inclusion with future working models (virtual, flexible, and onsite). Capture feedback from various sources to advise crucial changes to deliver the highest impact in embedding DEIB within our core culture. Provide consultative support to find opportunities, interventions, and initiatives for improvement. Be a strong voice for DEIB internally and in the broader industry community, communicating effectively and regularly with internal and external audiences. Provide support to empower and strengthen our internal communities.
• Cultivate key relationships: Establishing and maintaining excellent relationships across key organizational roles including the Executive Team, HR Leadership Team, Employment Legal Counsel, ERG Sponsors and Co-Chairs, and employee cultural ambassadors.

Skills You Will Need Here:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in inclusion and diversity, organizational development, human resources, business leadership, learning,or transformation required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience directly leading D&I for an organization is strongly preferred.
• Experience in developing and implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy and programming for impactful organizations.
• Outstanding collaboration and communication skills with executive presence. Strong presentation skills and comfort level addressing groups of all types and sizes.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic and sophisticated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to seamlessly transition between strategic and operational objectives displaying a roll-up-your-sleeves mentality.
• Ability to use data to develop insights and recommendations.
• Proficient in coaching, conflict resolution, and adept at navigating challenging conversations.
• Ability to lead-by-example and promote a positive, team-based environment.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and constant change, able to methodically work through complex problems, set priorities and complete commitments.
• Proficiency with Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Some travel required, particularly for team meetings and other business unit events

Cengage Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. You may view Cengage's EEO/Affirmative Action Policy signed by CEO Michael Hansen and Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law notice by visiting their corresponding links.

Cengage Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected] or you may call us at +1 (617) 289-7917.

About Cengage Group

Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Base Pay Range

The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

$131,600.00 - $210,600.00 USD