Executive Director of the Davis Center

Williams College seeks an Executive Director of the Davis Center to join us as part of the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (OIDEI). OIDEI works to ensure the campus is an inclusive space in which all students, faculty, and staff are welcome and able to thrive. OIDEI works to interrupt and address bias and discrimination, close opportunity gaps, and advance critical conversations and initiatives that promote inclusion and equity on campus and beyond. OIDEI’s work is routinely done in collaboration with academic and administrative units on campus. The Davis Center advances broad campus engagement with complex issues of identity, history, and culture that affect intellectual, creative, and social life, serving as a principal center for student learning, belonging, dialogue, and civic engagement.

The Executive Director leads the Davis Center, overseeing professional staff, cultivating campus and community partnerships, and advancing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn across differences, engage with communities beyond campus, and contribute to an inclusive and intellectually vibrant college. As a senior leader within OIDEI, the Executive Director collaborates with the AVP/Director of the Pathways for Inclusive Excellence programs and with other senior leaders to help shape strategy and advance Williams’ mission through collaboration, innovation, and educational leadership.

The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender, disability status, gender expression, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, offices, and departments on campus is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the Davis Center
• Supervise professional staff and foster staff development
• Manage budget and facilities, overseeing resource allocation
• Cultivate campus and community partnerships
• Support educational initiatives that foster dialogue across difference
• Represent the Office on institutional committees and external partnerships

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in related field
• At least 5 years of experience in a directly related field
• Experience leading professional staff 
• Experience developing and implementing organizational strategy
• Experience managing budgets and complex operations
• Experience building collaborative partnerships
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience at a residential Liberal Arts College
• Experience with strategic planning and culture-building initiatives
• Experience assessing educational programs and using data to inform strategy
• Experience facilitating dialogue, conflict engagement, restorative practices

Some evening and weekend hours will be part of this role. Flexible working arrangements consistent with College policy may be possible; however, the expectation is that the individual hired will carry out most of their work in-person.

This is a full-time, year-round appointment, and is eligible for Williams College’s robust benefits package designed to support you in your work and overall health and wellness. Pay for this position ranges from $128,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience.

In addition to a resume, applicants should include a cover letter as a separate document when submitting an application. Applicants should highlight their relevant experience and also describe how they will embrace the college’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community and address how their qualifications meet the position requirements.  A cover letter is required for your application to be considered.

Application review will begin on September 28, 2026. Materials should be submitted by this date for optimal consideration.  

Please visit careers.williams.edu to apply.

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at [email protected].