The Organization
The Walton Family Foundation is seeking an experienced, skilled, highly motivated, and entrepreneurial individual to join the foundation as Director of Inclusion and Equity.
Overview of the Walton Family Foundation
Our Mission:
We are a family-led foundation that tackles tough social and environmental problems with urgency and a long-term approach to create access to opportunity for people and communities.
Our Vision:
To live in a world where people can accomplish anything when they have opportunity and encouragement
Our Values:
· ROOTED in the places we work and in a family legacy of giving back
· ACTIVE in our work with grantees and in enabling individuals to take an active role in determining their futures
· STEADY in our focused approach to creating lasting change
· BOLD in our belief about what’s possible and in tackling big, complex problems
· OPEN about who we are and to ideas from anywhere
About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation is at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.
To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, with offices in Washington, D.C., Jersey City, New Jersey and Denver, Colorado, approximately 125 staff conduct the day-to-day operations of the foundation.
The Walton Family Foundation’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity
We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We employ qualified people without regard to: race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; ancestry; disability; sexual orientation; pregnancy or breastfeeding; veteran or military status; marital status; civil union or domestic partnership status; arrest record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; gender identity or expression; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.
Position Overview
A newly created position reporting to the Executive Director of the Walton Family Foundation, the Director of Inclusion and Equity will provide leadership, knowledge and vision that will embed a strong DEI focus in the Foundation’s work.
In collaboration with the leadership team, the Director will guide development of an overarching diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) vision that will ensure our grant-making decisions, community engagement, and strategic objectives fully reflect our DEI commitment. In addition, the Director will help implement the changes necessary within our organizational practices to achieve our DEI vision.
The Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Sets the strategic vision for the Foundation’s DEI commitment within our grantmaking practices and engagement with grantees and external partners
· Serves as an active member of the Foundation’s Senior Leadership Team
· Act as a close advisor and thought partner to the CEO on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
· Instills knowledge and best practices related to racial equity and cultural literacy and other aspects of diversity and inclusion into the work of the Foundation
· Ensures DEI practices and focus continue to be embedded in the priorities and actions of the Foundation’s strategic plan
· Strengthens DEI practices across the philanthropic sector through knowledge sharing and research contributions
· Collaborates with the Senior Leadership Team to identify strategic partners who will support the Foundation’s DEI commitment across our areas of focus
· Assists in broadening the Foundation’s reach through accessing diverse networks for communications, recruitment, etc.
· Supports broader efforts across Walton Enterprises to implement an inclusion and equity learning agenda, teambuilding, and culture-building activities
· Represents the Foundation at conferences, events, sector convenings, etc.
Who we are looking for
Qualifications required for your success
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred (Open to consideration of robust and relevant work experience)
- A demonstrated understanding of intersecting identities that include, but are not limited to, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including confidence and comfort with communication (oral and written) for a variety of audiences
- Deep passion for creating an inclusive and equitable community of learning and practice
- Commitment to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about race, racial justice, privilege, social class, and power dynamics, especially in the philanthropic context
- Knowledge of historical legacies of marginalization and structural inequities that can impact processes of grant-making, community relations, etc.
- Deep, authentic knowledge with formal training in racial justice and equity and experience applying racial equity practices to organizational development and programs
- Experience working with senior leaders and staff in driving a DEI vision that aligns with the needs and culture of an organization
- Proven leadership in planning, implementing and evaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives aligned with organizational mission
- Experience as a collaborative leader with the ability to drive simultaneous initiatives and projects to measurable success
- Demonstrated experience as a communicator comfortable in dialogue with a broad range of individuals at all levels of understanding of multicultural inclusion, non-discrimination, and anti-racism
- Proven expertise and at least six years of leadership experience developing and achieving strategic DEI goals
- Prior experience preferably in a foundation, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or other complex organization
Personal attributes that support your success
· Deep passion for and strong commitment to the vision and values of the Walton Family Foundation
· Transparent and collaborative leadership style with Board, staff, grantees, community, and other stakeholders
· A creative thinker who encourages others to explore new ideas and perspectives and to adopt new approaches while implementing a shared vision
· Committed to leading with humility, empathy, and accessibility while demonstrating full alignment with the Foundation’s mission
· Deep passion for and commitment to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about race, diversity equity, inclusion, power, and the history of racism and discrimination
· Ability to cultivate and sustain trust with colleagues, community partners, and stakeholders
· Ability to facilitate challenging and courageous conversations about race/racism and other topics
· An open-minded, curious, strategic, and creative thinker and active listener who can mediate diverse opinions to address shared needs
· Strong relationship builder
How To Apply
https://waltonfamilyfoundation.applicantharbor.com/jobappstart.php?reqcode=REQ20201161367