DEI Manager

Reporting to the DEI Director, the DEI Manager is responsible for driving the development and implementation of key diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives aligned with the Firm’s overall goals. Collaborating with the DEI Director, this role focuses on promoting the objectives of the Firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Sidley Women, and the Firm’s affinity groups (the Firm’s affinity groups, together, with the DEI Committee, and SW, the ”Diversity Infrastructure”). The DEI Manager will engage with lawyers, including diverse lawyers, women, minority/ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, and disabled lawyers, as well as firm leadership, strategic partners, and the broader professional staff. 

Strategic Program Management:

• Lead regional and firmwide DEI programs, emphasizing client-facing initiatives in collaboration with DEI and Sidley Women committees.
• Plan and execute signature programs, leveraging strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration for successful delivery.
• Collaborate with DEI Infrastructure to develop and staff local events.

Committee Oversight:

• Work collaboratively with the DEI Governance Director by managing regional DEI Committees and Sidley Women, working closely with committee Chairs to organize meetings and provide resources aligned with firmwide strategic goals.
• Oversee the Associate Diversity Committee, proposing events and managing committee activities, acting as a liaison with DEI Committees.

Client Engagement and Partnerships:

• Work directly with clients to implement diversity-related programs and establish partnerships.
• Foster relationships with diversity professionals at peer firms, diversity organizations, bar associations, and client representatives.

Event Coordination and Branding:

• Maintain DEI branding and messaging across all programs and client events with Marketing Team and other firm functions.

External Engagement:

• Strengthen relationships with DEI-related organizations, attend programs, develop joint programming, negotiate sponsorships, and facilitate lawyer participation.

Strategic Planning and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with colleagues on strategic planning for the Firm’s overall DEI policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Act as a representative of the DEI Team on internal administrative projects and resource allocation.
• Act as a representative of the DEI Team with other staff in ongoing internal administrative projects.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned. This position may require working non-standard hours in conjunction with occasional events.
• Availability to travel 25% of the time.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). 

Education and/or Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• A minimum of 5 years of prior work experience
• Experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web-based services and related applications
• Strong project management skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement solutions. 
• Demonstrated ability to marshal the resources of the Firm across many departments to present excellent programs and effective initiatives

Preferred: 

• J.D. degree
• Law firm, Corporate experience

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer