As a minority working in large companies across the country, you may have seen a relatively new opportunity popping up in the executive suites. This unique opportunity is the promotion of Chief Diversity Officers. It sounds like a pretty cool job title, but what exactly is a Chief Diversity Officer, and what do they do? If you are thinking about this as a potential future career path, we have some insights on the job that you should know.

A Chief Diversity Officer is the principal architect of a company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This C-level executive creates DEI strategies to ensure diverse hiring and promotion at the organization and diversity training programs for employees. They implement fair-pay practices and monitor results to measure progress. The ultimate goal of this role is to ensure an equitable work environment for all employees.

Chief diversity officer is a relatively new position, but it’s gaining traction as companies seek to create more diverse and inclusive workforces. 

An estimated 40% of Fortune 500 companies now have executives dedicated to DEI initiatives. Often reporting to the organization’s president, chief diversity officers work at private-sector companies, government agencies, and educational institutions. 

Chief Diversity Officer Duties and Responsibilities

This job generally requires the ability to do the following work:

• Create and manage DEI programs, including those related to hiring, promotion, pay equity, employee coaching, and more
• Analyze results of DEI initiatives to measure progress and suggest improvements
• Hire managers to implement programs, collect and analyze data, and support employees
• Manage budgets and prepare them for approval from the rest of the executive team
• Stay on top of trends, laws, and regulations, and other factors influencing DEI programs
• Advise executive team on matters related to diversity and inclusion
• Represent the organization at industry events and meetings

A Chief Diversity Officer is the point person for diversity and inclusion initiatives at their company. They are responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing all efforts to make the workplace a fairer, more equitable environment for all employees. They must analyze the results of existing programs, suggest improvements, and act as an advisor on DEI issues for the rest of the executive team.

Chief Diversity Officer Salary

Chief diversity officer pay varies by location and experience level, but people in this position tend to earn more than the national average. Here are some estimates on what salaries ranges are for this position:

• Median annual salary: $126,000
• Top 10% annual salary: $206,000
• Bottom 10% annual salary: $70,000

Many employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree focusing on business administration or human resources—factor in the cost of higher education when you chart this career path.

Education, Training, and Certification

Education and training requirements in this growing field will undoubtedly continue to evolve. While employers will differ in which qualifications they value the most, some educational backgrounds, certifications, and experience can improve your ability to compete with other candidates in the field. These include:

• A master’s degree: Although some employers are satisfied with a bachelor’s degree, others give preference to candidates with a master’s in business administration or human resources.
• Certifications: Universities such as Cornell and consulting companies such as Diversity Training University International have created diversity and inclusion certification programs. These programs help executives create more effective DEI initiatives at their organizations.
• On-the-job experience: Perhaps the most valuable training for this position takes place on the job. Employers seeking chief diversity officers often prefer candidates with several years of experience designing and implementing DEI programs.

Skills and Competencies

These chief diversity officer skills can be found frequently in job listings, on resumes, and in cover letters:

• Strategic planning: The most crucial aspect of this job is developing and implementing strategic initiatives that support diversity and inclusion.
• Problem-solving: Chief diversity officers must develop innovative solutions to challenges, whether it’s getting executives on board with salary transparency or making old HR systems support new initiatives.
• Consensus building: DEI officers need buy-in from the rest of the executive team and employees at every level.
• Knowledge of public policy: Changing laws and regulations affect DEI plans in real-time. Staying up to date on emerging legislation is essential.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for top executives such as chief diversity officers will remain solid for the next decade. The BLS projects 8% growth in these jobs between 2020 and 2030—about as fast as the average for all occupations.

However, if current demand is any indication, chief diversity officers may have a more robust occupational outlook than that data would suggest. Glassdoor’s research shows that diversity and inclusion job titles rebounded faster from the 2020 economic crisis than other human resources jobs or occupations as a whole.

Work Environment

Chief diversity officers typically work in an office environment. They may have a private office, a cubicle, or work in an open-plan office. Depending on company policy, they may work on-site or remotely.

Work Schedule

Most chief diversity officers work full-time during regular office hours. This job can be high-stress and require long hours. Top executives often work weekends and evenings as needed.

Comparing Similar Jobs

If you’re interested in a chief diversity officer job, consider related career paths. Here’s a list of similar jobs:

• Chief people officer
• Chief diversity executive
• Vice president of diversity
• Diversity manager
• HR manager

How To Get the Job

There are some ways to increase the chances of getting the job you want.

Job Portals

Look for chief diversity officer job listings on specialty job sites for executives such as The Ladders, general job sites such as Indeed, and professional social networks such as LinkedIn.

Interview Questions

Come prepared to discuss your success at developing and managing DEI programs and answer questions about your management style, past challenges, and goals.

Resumes and Cover Letters

Focus on keywords that demonstrate your experience and qualifications. Be sure to quantify your results implementing diversity programs, especially those that show employee retention and engagement improvements.