Director- Belonging, Development Leadership

Director‑Employee Belonging, Development, & Leadership

Location: Spokane, WA

Employment Type: Full-time

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state‑funded four‑year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region’s polytechnic, EWU is recognized for its distinctive hands‑on learning approach that leads to in‑demand careers. The 300‑acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington’s second‑largest city, Spokane.

Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the Catalyst building, the SIERR building for health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. EWU’s programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with community needs. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study, plus applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, providing accessible pathways to career success and personal development for students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to student success by being named a 24‑25 College of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college‑bound students. Money magazine recently named EWU one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal land acknowledgement:
At EWU we proudly recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared this land. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to our cultural heritage. EWU honors tribal sovereignty and government‑to‑government relationships, and remains committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and its contributions.

The Director of Employee Belonging, Development, and Leadership serves as a strategic leader dedicated to cultivating a thriving culture of continuous improvement and learning. This role will oversee leadership development, employee training, onboarding, engagement, and satisfaction. The Director will guide initiatives that ensure fair, transparent recruitment and selection processes, promote workplace policies aligned with EWU values, and advance a culture where every employee feels valued and empowered to grow.

The position is guided by EWU’s strategic plan, and the university is committed to cultivating an inclusive workforce that welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, organizational leadership, human resources, social justice, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive responsibility in employee, leadership, and/or organizational development.
• Experience designing and implementing leadership development or employee engagement strategies.
• Proven ability to lead change, build consensus, and work collaboratively across stakeholder groups.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills with a deep commitment to value‑driven leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that supports the needs of all, including universal access of students, faculty, staff, and the public.

• Master’s degree in higher education, organizational leadership, human resources, social justice, or a related field.
• Experience in a higher education setting or a similarly complex, decentralized environment.
• Familiarity with labor relations and shared governance models.
• Data literacy related to employee engagement and climate assessment tools.
• Training or certification in organizational development, facilitation, or inclusive leadership.

• In collaboration with the Vice President of People and Culture, serve as a senior advisor to university leadership on staff development, organizational development, and employee engagement.
• Lead university‑wide strategies, aligning them with…