Program Director of Equity & Impact

Overview:

At ACT Your Work Makes a Difference

 Education has power – a power that changes lives forever. It creates opportunities that lift up individuals, their families, and sparks societal change that echoes through generations to come. From our grassroots we have fought the good fight for equity in education, and we remain devoted to helping anyone who struggles to access that power. This is what matters to us and we must do better -- we’ve never been more sure of our purpose.

 ACT Education Corp. (ACT) team members are part of an organization dedicated to an important mission: Helping people achieve education and workplace success. Advancing the mission internally, by helping team members achieve education and workplace success of their own, is core to our values. ACT values a diverse workplace and is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable environment in which every team member has an opportunity to grow.

 We want our team members to have the well-being and confidence they need to do their best work, in an environment where both they and the company thrive. To support this, our total rewards include company paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with company contributions, paid holidays, paid time off, and so much more. You can find a comprehensive list of our benefits here.  

We are seeking a Program Director of Equity and Impact to help us fulfill that mission. 

The Program Director of Equity and Impact will be a key member of a five person team within ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning (CEL). The selected candidate will help develop and execute ACT’s external and internal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategy while fulfilling core responsibilities in support of the American College Application Campaign (ACAC). This role will help design and implement internal and external equity and impact efforts as well as assist in the Center’s efforts to advance the American College Application Campaign, ACT’s brand recognition, ACT’s community, philanthropic and public good projects, and ACT’s business outcomes.  This role will work collaboratively with all Center team members to focus on increasing the visibility, equity, and impact of ACT’ programs, tools, products, and services across a wide array of key internal and external stakeholder audiences.

This leader will implement and support internal and external DEI&A efforts through facilitating internal DEI&A workshops and professional development opportunities, collaborating and showcasing pre-existing DEI&A efforts, creating and delivering equity-focused speeches to large and small audiences regarding ACAC and other ACT tools and services, showcasing and supporting research which highlights ACT’s equity and impact commitment, and writing blogs and social media posts to promote, enhance, amplify, and protect the ACT’s brand reputation.

The finalist will be hired at the salary and level commensurate with their qualifications.  For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary in the range of $90,000 to $120,000. ACT manages salaries within the range based on relevant factors including, skills, experience, and internal equity.  This position is incentive eligible.

Location: Remote (can also be onsite or hybrid if in Iowa City, Iowa area)

A Day in the Life:

• Design, implement, support, and facilitate DEI&A efforts to advance ACT’s strategy, brand identity, diverse community engagement, positive work environment, and learner outcomes, both internally and externally.
• Increase visibility and build brand awareness of ACT’s DEI&A programs across the enterprise and among key external stakeholders, including diverse learners, educators, policymakers, and advocacy organizations.
• Cultivate and enhance relationships with diverse audiences, including ACAC state coordinators, parents, national media influencers, and leaders in K-12, workforce, and higher education.
• Collaborate with the ACAC Director on network development and training through monthly calls, webinars, annual reviews, and training sessions.
• Support the planning and implementation of the annual ACAC National Convening, typically a two-day in-person meeting held in May.
• Lead the review and creation of ACAC coordinator resources to enhance their effectiveness and support.
• Identify DEI&A challenges and opportunities within and outside of ACT, proposing recommendations for growth and impact.
• Promote equity-focused research and learning, enhancing ACT measurement activities related to DEI&A.
• Oversee internal DEI&A initiatives, including the ACT DEI&A Annual Summit, Diversity Ambassador Program, and Diversity Steering Committee.
• Work collaboratively across ACT to showcase and enhance DEI&A efforts throughout the organization.
• Prepare speeches, presentations, and supporting materials to promote ACT’s brand, equity commitment, and mission.

Goal Progression:

• Within 1 month: Gain a high-level understanding of ACT’s products and customers, familiarizing yourself with key teams leading DEI&A activities.
• Within 3 months: Lead the Diversity Ambassadors Program and Diversity Steering Committee, assist with the ACAC network, and begin drafting the DEI&A plan with defined metrics and timelines.
• Within 6 months: Make the DEI&A plan actionable, driving its implementation and using metrics to measure progress.
• Within 12 months: Strengthen the ACAC network and serve as a coach and champion, building DEI&A expertise across the organization.

About You:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in DEI&A leadership roles, focusing on education and workforce outcomes.
• Demonstrated record of building relationships with education and workforce leaders, policymakers, community members, and DEI&A experts to achieve high-impact goals.
• Experience in building, mentoring, empowering, and coaching team members to explore and embrace DEI&A learning opportunities.
• Experience in public speaking, group facilitation, and coaching on DEI&A topics, empowering team members to explore learning opportunities.
• Proficient in planning, writing, editing, and producing various communications, including newsletters, annual reports, presentations, blogs, and social media content.
• Innovative thinker with a proven ability to translate strategic thinking into actionable plans and outcomes, using data to analyze options and formulate recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution, with excellent judgment and an asset-based approach.
• Ability to facilitate proactive communications with individuals both inside and outside the organization, fostering a collaborative, customer-service mindset anchored in urgency and excellence.
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge for success in this position may be obtained through experience, formal education (a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, business, or other related disciplines), or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be required.

It’s a plus if you have:

• DEI&A experience with both internal organizational initiatives and public-facing workshops, presentations, and conference sessions.
• Experience navigating organizations undergoing significant transformation, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in dynamic environments.
• Experience developing, analyzing, and communicating stakeholder survey results, translating feedback into actionable insights.
• Proven ability to collaborate with senior leaders, peers, and junior team members to achieve desired results.

About ACT

When ACT was founded in 1959, it disrupted the assessment industry with a new approach to helping students better understand their readiness so they could take steps to improve it.  By leveraging our expertise and authority in assessment and research, we will again disrupt the industry—helping more people learn, better measure their progress, and improve their navigation through life’s transitions. 

More than ever before, ACT is fulfilling its mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success. We’re doing it by pushing the boundaries of learning innovation through the work of our people, who we call team members because we’re all in this together.

We know transformation does not come without challenge. That’s why ACT invests in a variety of experiences for team members to strengthen their connections, explore ideas, learn from customers, and celebrate success.

Learn more about working at ACT at act.org!

When ACT was founded in 1959, it disrupted the assessment industry with a new approach to helping students better understand their readiness so they could take steps to improve it.  By leveraging our expertise and authority in assessment and research, we will again disrupt the industry—helping more people learn, better measure their progress, and improve their navigation through life’s transitions. 

More than ever before, ACT is fulfilling its mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success. We’re doing it by pushing the boundaries of learning innovation through the work of our people, who we call team members because we’re all in this together.

We know transformation does not come without challenge. That’s why ACT invests in a variety of experiences for team members to strengthen their connections, explore ideas, learn from customers, and celebrate success.

Learn more about working at ACT at act.org!