DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (SPSA, Opt. 1)

Job Requisition ID: 56200
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 06/12/2026
Agency: Department of Central Management Services
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) 
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: $135,000-$147,000/annually
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Exempt under Section 4d of the Personnel Code, Gubernatorial (Management Bill)

 

*******A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION*******

Posting ID# 56200

 

 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

 

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

POSITION SUMMARY

Central Management Services (CMS) is seeking a visionary and data-driven senior leader with a proven track record of architecting and executing comprehensive, statewide diversity and inclusion strategies that transform workforce representation, drive retention through inclusive practices, and reimagine accessibility for all people of Illinois regardless of their level of proficiency in the English language. As Deputy Director of D&I, this fiscal and policy-formulating authority aligns multi-million dollar budgetary priorities with empirical outcome metrics to drive operational excellence. A trusted liaison to the state agencies, community partners, the Governor’s Office of New Americans, and the Governor’s Office of Equity, they masterfully oversee statutory employment plans and spearhead legislative compliance. Serving as the official agency spokesperson on diversity and inclusion matters, this leader bridges the gap between state government, community advocacy groups, and the public to eliminate underutilization and foster equitable workforce success.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Subject to management approval, serves as Deputy Director of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I).
• Oversees the ongoing support for the planning, developing, executing, and assessing the Hispanic Employment Plan (HEP), Asian American Employment Plan (AsAmEP), Native American Employment Plan (NAEP), and the African American Employment Plan (AfAmEP), as well as other statewide initiatives, largely through direction of the corresponding Statewide Managers for Diversity and Inclusion. 
• Directs, plans, develops, and executes  CMS D&I’s responsibilities related to the Illinois Language Equity and Access Act (LEAA), Public Act 103-0723, and Bilingual Needs/Bilingual Pay Report.
• Serves as official agency spokesperson for D&I and programs to the public, media, various minority advocacy groups, educational institutions, and agencies, boards, and commissions.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years  of college with courses in public or business administration, public relations, human resources, communications, or related field.
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in public or private organization, preferably developing and directing programs in support of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging workforce initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prefers five (5) years of experience supervising professional staff.  
• Prefers three (3) years of experience working with executive/c-level leadership in either a public or private sector organization.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience in effectively working and communicating with diverse internal and external stakeholders and the public, demonstrating high levels of professionalism and meticulous attention to detail. 
• Prefers (2) years of experience overseeing project management efforts. 
• Prefers (3) years of experience conceptualizing, developing, and implementing agency policies and programs.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

ABOUT THE AGENCY

Central Management Services (CMS) is the operational engine working behind the scenes to enable the State's more than 60 agencies, universities, boards, and commissions to deliver efficient, reliable services to all Illinois citizens.  The Agency's mission is to support the State by delivering innovative, responsive, and effective services that provide the best value for Illinois State government and the people it serves.  Among the services CMS provides are human resources facilitation; benefits programs for employees, retirees and local governments; property and facilities management; diversity initiatives for public contracting and State employment; joint purchasing support; vehicle fleet oversight and support; surplus property programs; print and electronic communications services; and administrative hearings coordination. 

​Work Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm; Monday-Friday
Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: 

Cara Reiser

cara.l.reiser@illinois.gov

217-836-2269

Posting Group: Leadership & Management

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.  If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

 

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com