Civil Rights Director
Salary
$124,402.02 - $167,941.60 Annually
Location
Madison, WI
Job Type
PERMANENT FULL TIME
Job Number
2026-00155
Department
Department of Civil Rights
Opening Date
05/06/2026
Closing Date
6/8/2026 11:59 PM Central
Comp. Group/Range
21/18
General Description
Champion Equity, Protect Rights, Transform Systems Lead Madisons Department of Civil Rights
The City of Madison is launching a search for an exceptional and visionary leader to serve as the next Director of the Department of Civil Rights. This executive-level role is central to shaping the Citys civil rights strategy, strengthening equity and inclusion across government operations, and advancing justice and opportunity throughout the Madison community. The successful candidate will bring strategic insight, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to civil rights as they guide a department recognized for its leadership and impact.
For more information about the Department of Civil Rights, please visit their webpage.
The Role
The Civil Rights Director provides overall vision and direction for the Department of Civil Rights and its three divisionsEquity and Social Justice; Affirmative Action; and Equal Opportunities. Together, these divisions drive the Citys internal and external civil rights work, from advancing equitable hiring and contracting practices to ensuring language access, disability rights, and equal opportunity across City services. Externally, the Department leads community outreach and education, administers complaint investigation and resolution processes, builds strategic partnerships, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal civil rights laws.
This role oversees all managerial and administrative functions of the department, including leading, coordinating, and evaluating staff, programs, and services. The position requires substantial independent judgment and discretion in planning, directing, and implementing departmental functions, and operates under the general direction of the Mayor.
Employment will be governed by a five-year contract negotiated by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council. Residency within the City of Madison is required.
What Were Looking For
A leader who knows how to turn vision into action. You thrive in complex environments, balancing innovation with regulatory expertise. Our ideal candidate is:
IMPORTANT: THERE ARE TWO (2) SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE JOB POSTING.
YOU MUST ATTACH YOUR RESPONSES IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. YOU MUST ALSO ATTACH A RESUME.
(To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES AND RESUME WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.
Our Community
The City of Madison is regularly included in lists of top places to live. A thriving food scene, more than 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, excellent healthcare, and of course great transit work together to help meet Madisons vision to be inclusive, innovative, and thriving. Madison is actively working to become a more welcoming and inclusive community through ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and investments that support diverse populations and advance racial equity. Local organizations and spaces such as the Madison Black Business Hub, Centro Hispano of Dane County, and the The Center for Black Excellence and Culture play an important role in fostering community, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating spaces for connection and belonging.
Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesnt match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Leadership
Equity and Social Justice
Equal Opportunities and Disability Rights
Economic Justice
Community Engagement
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in civil rights administration, equal opportunities and/or affirmative action work, which includes three (3) years in a senior-level supervisory or management capacity, overseeing the development, implementation, and administration of programs that promote civil rights, disability rights, and equal opportunities; AND
Bachelors Degree or higher in Public Administration, Law, Social Work, Human Resources, or a closely related field
OR-
Four (4) years of experience applying all of the following:
Principles and methods of equity and social justice, including structural racism, sexism, institutional oppression, and the historical drivers of socioeconomic disparities.
Interpretation and application of federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including the ADA, Title VII, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.
Principles and administration of budget formulation, justification, expenditure control, and program planning.
Full range of supervisory principles and practices, which includes hiring, training, directing, evaluating, and disciplining, along with handling labor relations matters; AND
Two (2) years of experience in the following:
Conflict resolution and restorative justice techniques to navigate high-stakes disputes.
Identification and neutralization of implicit bias within organizational structures and individual decision-making.
Other equivalent combinations of experience, training, and education that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position will also be considered.
For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.
The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
Special Requirements
Physical Requirements:
The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.
Compensation
The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current salary schedules for pay for all classifications.
Benefits
The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below and more information can be found on our website.
Leave
Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used immediately. The vacation allotment for a Department/Division Head is negotiable.
Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.
Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve).
Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.
Retirement
The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
Insurance
The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:
Other Benefits
The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:
457(b) deferred compensation plans
Employee Assistance Program
Bus Pass on Madison Metro
Flexible Work Schedules
Employer-paid Training
01
I understand a condition of employment for this position requires residency in the City of Madison.
02
A resume is required to be attached in the Attachment section of your application, in order for you to be considered further for this position.
03
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY--YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. You can answer the questions using a word processing program and attach as a .docx or .pdf file. You must attach the document in the "Attachments" section of the application or you will not receive further consideration for this position. Your responses will be evaluated on your writing ability including: spelling, grammar obvious reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and your ability to express your thoughts in a logical fashion. By checking this box, you acknowledge the above and understand that your response is required and failure to attach your essay response will immediately eliminate you from consideration.
04
Describe your knowledge and experience relating to affirmative action, equal opportunities and disability rights law, and their administration, application and impact on protected classes. How has your education and experience prepared you for this position?
05
You will lead a team with diverse lived experiences and differing views on civil rights and justice work. Describe a time you brought people with conflicting perspectives together in similar work, and how that experience shapes how you would lead this team.
Required Question
Employer Madison, City of (WI)
Address 215 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
MMB Rm 261
MADISON, Wisconsin, 53703
Phone (608) 266-4615