Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead

Are you experienced in leading and embedding EDI strategy?

We have a fantastic opportunity to join Sovereign Network Group (SNG) as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead. You'll take the lead on all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion activity, driving forwards our EDI strategy and continuing to build a positive, inclusive and equitable working culture while ensuring EDI is part of all we do.

Based in our head office in Basingstoke, you'll combine office and home working to ensure a positive work / life balance.

It's a really exciting time to join us as Sovereign have joined forces with Network Homes to form SNG (Sovereign Network Group). Together we provide over 84,000 homes and invest in communities across London and the South of England – our purpose being to provide quality affordable homes and places that people love for generations.

The Role

This is a key role within SNG. Working proactively across the business, you'll identify EDI touchpoints for our people and work with our Head of Talent Acquisition and Employee Experience to develop and deliver our EDI Strategy. We have established some strong external partnerships, ensuring we stay up to date with new thinking to help shape our strategy. You'll continue to build on these as well as influencing and working with key internal stakeholders to prioritise and embed the delivery of EDI work across the business.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing a detailed action plan with short and long-term goals, deliverables, milestones, and accountabilities with key stakeholders, including Senior Leadership
• Leading strategic EDI input into key organisational processes, such as reasonable adjustments, recruitment and selection, a leadership framework and performance management appraisals
• Supporting the wider HR team to advise the organisation on equality matters throughout the employment lifecycle
• Building and testing positive action approaches to increase Diversity and Inclusion across the organisation, at all levels
• Developing and implementing strategies and initiatives to advance EDI as part of our employee engagement work
• Establishing and implementing clear reporting mechanisms in line with agreed KPIs to demonstrate delivery of EDI goals and plans
• Leading the Equality & Diversity organisational steering groups and networks, encouraging participation and engagement from a cross-section of the organisation and leading a team of voluntary E&D Champions

What we're looking for

You'll have experience in a similar senior role in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, working with and in support of EDI strategies and initiatives within a People function. You'll have a passion for people and embedding EDI work in order to build positive and inclusive working environments. You'll also have:

• Proven experience of successfully creating and delivering EDI strategies and end-to-end EDI interventions
• Effective communication skills and demonstrable influencing skills
• A strong innovation mindset that is curious, horizon scanning to stay abreast of external trends and thought leadership
• A creative personality and skills, to build and deliver EDI interventions and ways of working
• Proactive and proven Stakeholder management skills across all levels
• Strong presentation, listening and facilitation skills
• In depth understanding of the role of data and technology in underpinning interventions

What you'll receive from us

We have some fantastic benefits on offer at SNG, including:

• £450 flex-pot annually, discounted shopping & cycling scheme
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• Company pension scheme matched up to 12%, life cover at 4x your salary
• Flexible working - we're committed to giving people flexibility as widely as possible
• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance & critical illness cover

At Sovereign Network Group, we are passionate about inclusion for all and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at Sovereign. Take a look at our careers site to learn more about us and our values.

This is a great opportunity to join the team as we progress through an exciting period of change. What we do makes a real difference to people's lives and by joining us you can share the satisfaction of doing something that really matters.