Director, Trade Partner Diversity

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies), and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

The Role 

The Director of Trade Partner Diversity will be responsible for driving Underrepresented Business Enterprises (UBEs) outreach and participation for Suffolk Construction in the Boston/Northern California markets to drive the supplier diversity program. focusing on building partnerships with UBEs, including Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE), and Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE), to further enhance workforce diversity across Suffolk projects. as well as local workforce participation. The Director builds and maintains strong community relations, identifying opportunities for diverse partnerships with trade organizations, unions, and public agencies. This role also monitors and reports on Suffolk’s progress towards meeting these goals. The Director reports to Suffolk’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Collaboration with Project Teams:

• Partner with Suffolk’s project teams to develop and execute plans that meet workforce and M/W/VBE participation goals throughout construction projects.
• Verify Compliance Protocols & other requirements are met
• Create Utilization Plan for high Priority RFP’s and take part in client Interviews
• Monitor project progress, provide regular updates, and support teams in addressing challenges related to meeting diversity goals.
• Work with the Legal Department to ensure accurate inclusion of diversity goals in contracts and subcontracts.
• Track New Projects & Changes in Local requirements and adjust as needed.

Reporting and Improvement:

• Prepare and analyze reports on Suffolk’s performance related to diversity goals.
• Develop strategies for continuous improvement in meeting these goals.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Communicate and collaborate with trade partners, unions, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and progress towards goals.
• Maintain databases of contacts with trade partners, unions, public agencies, and qualified local applicants.

Outreach and Advocacy:

• Attend and sponsor conferences, trainings, and forums that promote awareness of trade partner diversity and reinforce Suffolk’s commitment to inclusion.
• Actively participate in Suffolk’s youth mentoring programs and community-based job shadowing initiatives.

Personnel Management:

• Set Team Direction & Strategy
• Performance Management and oversight for a team of at least two direct reports.

External Programming:

• Oversee Build With Us, Suffolk’s business accelerator national program to support Women, Minority, Veteran owned businesses.
• Attend Job Fairs, Events, Association Participation

• 5-10 years of construction or related experience and or a college degree.
• Roughly 20% travel will be required, most within a reasonable drive.
• Public speaking and strong writing skills.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal construction management operations and compliance.
• Familiarity with best practices and tools for advancing trade partner diversity.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with individuals at all levels.
• Proficiency in project management and data analysis.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.