01/12/2026 - Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Southern New England Conf[...]

Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Southern New England Conference Position Title: Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reports to: Director, Center for Transformational Leadership Department: Center for Transformational Leadership FLSA: Exempt Salary Grade: 6 Annual Salary: $71,400 Hours: Full-time Location: Hybrid (CT/MA/RI) Position Summary The Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion helps advance the diversity, equity and inclusion goals and values of the Southern New England Conference by ensuring all programs, resources, and initiatives of the Center for Transformational Leadership and beyond reflect these priorities. This role manages programs and trainings, develops strategies, researches best practices, nurtures internal and external partnerships, and curates resources to support and empower churches, pastors, leaders, and volunteers in cultivating radically inclusive church communities. Key Duties & Responsibilities Strategies, Approaches and Resources Uses an expansive definition of diversity to include race, age, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. Works with the Director to ensure all aspects of the work of the Center for Transformational Leadership (CTL) are in alignment with DEI best practices and the values and goals of SNEUCC. Remains knowledgeable on current and relevant research, processes, best practices, and emerging trends in DEI within denominational, religious, faith-based, and secular non-profits. Researches and recommends best practices for implementation related to DEI in recruitment, development and retention of volunteers, program leaders, presenters, consultants, etc. Identifies and makes recommendations for addressing issues of unconscious bias and microaggressions in programming and resourcing. Creates, curates, manages and provides DEI resources, processes, and best practices for churches and church leaders as they seek to create a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Researches, reviews, and shares resources and program opportunities offered or provided by covenant partners and other external organizations. Serves as liaison with covenant partners and external organizations to promote, endorse, market or collaborate on DEI focused programs and resources. Programming & Training Manages and leads a range of DEI programs and initiatives that deepen and strengthen awareness, provide skill development, and empower leaders on topics such as anti-racism, cultural awareness and competency, gender equity and differences, disability justice, and building a climate of equity and inclusion. Develops and updates racial justice trainings for authorized ministers and for other church staff and church leaders, as well as identifies, recruits, equips, trains and empowers facilitators for these trainings. Develops and conducts workshops, trainings and presentations for various internal audiences via regional gatherings, association meetings and gatherings, Conference events, etc. about justice topics and topics related to DEI. Leads trainings for ecumenical partners in the region, other Conferences, covenantal partners and/or external organizations/partners as appropriate and as assigned by the Director. Task Team Coordination Provides point of contact for SNEUCC justice focused Task Teams and groups as assigned, helping to maintain covenantal relationships while providing collaboration and ensuring alignment with established conference priorities. Responsible for identification, recruitment, formation, and development of leaders for the various Task Teams. Holds Task Teams accountable for following the parameters and meeting the metrics established for Task Teams and Round Tables. Constituent & Community Engagement Engages churches and their leaders at all stages of their diversity journey and helps bring them along with their goals, vision and values as well as those of SNEUCC. Advises ACMs, authorized ministers, committees on ministry and church leaders about DEI trainings as they relate to learning goals, ministerial standing requirements, continuing education expectations and requirements for official certificates of completion, etc. Represents the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in various UCC, ecumenical, and interfaith settings as appropriate and assigned by the Director. Tends to covenantal relationships with ethnic and multi-lingual churches in SNEUCC as needed. Works with the Director to identify and build relationships with covenant partners and external organizations and communities to support DEI goals. Administrative Leadership Supports DEI budget planning and implementation by tracking income and expenses related to programs/trainings and administering Task Team funds by approving and submitting expenses for processing. Evaluates and oversees accessibility needs and considerations for all CTL events (and Conference major events as appropriate). Advise on best practices for creating accessible, welcoming, and safe spaces at Conference hosted regional, large and Conference-wide events (from registration to the event to follow up & feedback). Manages and maintains the DEI section of the SNEUCC website. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience (seminary education or ordination not required). At least three to five years of demonstrated experience in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Familiarity with the traditions and culture of the United Church of Christ. Passion for empowering leaders to build inclusive, justice-oriented communities of faith. Strong networking skills and a collaborative spirit. Ability to project manage volunteers toward a shared goal. Prior supervisory experience is required. Effective communicator with the ability to connect across diverse backgrounds. Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook; willingness to learn Conference platforms (e.g., Brick River database, website tools). Strong organizational and administrative skills. Must have reliable transportation for regional travel. Conference-Sponsored Events The Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be required to participate in Conference-Sponsored events throughout the year. Benefits Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance; up to 14% employer contribution to pension plan; generous paid time off. Travel Position may require in-person meetings in Rocky Hill, CT and Framingham, MA. Physical Requirements Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data, and/or information. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships. Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to use computer hardware and software and database systems in regular performance of job duties. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may require ability to utilize principles of fractions and/or interpret graphs. Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership. Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution. Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. ADA Compliance Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to travel to meetings outside the office, exert moderate physical effort, and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to 20 pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or repetitive motion. Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Requires oral communications ability. Environmental Factors: Tasks are occasionally performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, or pathogenic substances. Application Submissions: Interested internal/external applicants may submit a cover letter and ministerial profile and/or resume to View email address on click.appcast.io or submit directly to the Southern New England Conference, UCC website at by no later than February 08, 2026. EEOC Policy: The Conference provides equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion (except insofar as ordination or religious background may be a qualification for a position), sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, military status, or any other class or status protected by law. Location: Southern New England Conference United Church of Christ Contact: Irma Reyes Email: Click to email #J-18808-Ljbffr SNEUCC