Now hiring: Atlanta Hawks’ chief diversity and inclusion officer

• Joeff Davis/CL File

Do you have more than a decade worth’s of professional experience in all things diversity? Do you know how stop your bosses from sending racially-charged emails? Are you a basketball fan? If so, the Atlanta Hawks may want your services.

The Hawks have posted a job opening for a brand new position, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, who will be responsible for ensuring that “diversity and inclusion of team members and programs” happens within the organization. The gig was created by CEO Steven Koonin following the majority owner Bruce Levenson’s email that stereotyped black fans and racist remarks made by General Manager Danny Ferry, who has since taken an indefinite leave of absence from the franchise.

Here’s what the CDIO position entails:

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RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
The primary goal of the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer (CDIO) is to ensure diversity and inclusion of team members and programs at all levels and in all business areas of the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena in regards to age, race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status and veteran status. With the commitment to advance diversity, this individual will establish best practices whereby diversity itself will be defined within an organizational context and design a strategic, cross-departmental program that creates deeper cultural and ethnic awareness and sensitivity. Additionally, the CDIO will serve as a member of the Company’s Executive Committee and provide guidance to the leadership team so that they can engender an inclusive workplace that provides opportunity for internal mobility for the benefit of team members and the organization as a whole. Essentially, this position serves as an internal consultant to all senior executives and their departments to ensure that diversity and inclusion is a part of the decision-making process throughout the organization to create a truly inclusive workplace and brand.

Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena Culture
The CDIO will partner with the Human Resources executive to identify and assess the current composition of the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena team member population and recommend processes and programs to ensure an inclusive workplace for existing team members, job candidates and players. Additionally, this person will develop and implement an array of diversity training and awareness programs within the organization to foster an inclusive workplace. In coordination with HR and Legal, the CDIO will ensure that the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena adhere to the appropriate legal guidelines regarding equal opportunity, inclusion and non-discrimination. The CDIO will work in conjunction with Human Resources to identify ways to reach out to all team members and job candidates at all levels in order to promote diversity in the workforce and create a culture of inclusion. This will be achieved through the development of such things as employee resource groups (ERGs) and mentoring, guest speaker and cultural awareness programs.

Additionally, the CDIO will also seek input and opinions from team members and players at all levels of the organization to gain a broader understanding of the issues to be addressed. He/she will develop and maintain processes and systems to hold leaders accountable for their support, implementation and ownership of diversity and inclusion within their respective departments.

Atlanta Hawks Marketing, Ticket Sales, Corporate Sponsorship and Brand Strategy
The CDIO, in conjunction with the Marketing, Ticket Sales, Corporate Sponsorship and Brand Strategy executives, will be responsible for establishing the Atlanta Hawks as a brand that stands for integrity, inclusiveness and civility and building internal and external relationships that advance the business and reputation objectives of the organization. In addition, this position will assist in creating strategic, tactical plans for reaching diverse consumer segments and creating programs that appeal to current and prospective sponsors.

Atlanta Hawks Basketball Operations
The CDIO will work closely with Atlanta Hawks Basketball Operations to ensure that the organization is creating an inclusive environment and providing appropriate education on differences (inside and outside the organization) as the diversity of the league continues to grow.

Government & External Affairs
This position, in coordination with the External Affairs executive, must liaise with external organizations and interest groups and represent the Atlanta Hawks organization at internal/external forums where the topic of diversity and inclusion can make an impact. The CDIO will serve as a member of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation board.

Moreover, the CDIO will also seek input and opinions from team members at all levels of the organization to gain a broader understanding of the issues to be addressed. They will develop and maintain processes and systems to hold leaders accountable for their support, implementation and eventual ownership of diversity and inclusion within their respective departments. The CDIO will create the first ever diversity report and scorecard that will be shared with the NBA as a model for other teams to replicate. This report will provide a comprehensive snapshot of all of the Company’s diversity and inclusion efforts and programs across the organization allowing the Company, the NBA and the community to measure effectiveness.

SCOPE OF WORK:
Fan Engagement: Partner with internal stakeholders to create programs that demonstrate the team’s commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful experience for fans inside and outside the arena.

Strategic Planning: Develop a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy that is aligned with the Hawks business and community priorities.

Cultural Awareness: Develop training programs to raise awareness of differences with a focus on appropriate communication, sensitivity and using good judgment.

Talent Acquisition: Create a detailed plan to help the Hawks identify and recruit top talent with non-traditional backgrounds to drive innovation and leverage their unique assets to advance the objectives of the organization.

Retention: Develop a talent management and development framework for identifying and grooming high-potential, high-performing diverse team members. This includes customized paths that provide exposure to various aspects of the business and deepens the bench for future leadership positions.

Talent Development: Create a customized plan in which we amplify core strengths/competencies, provide resources to address skill gaps and create stretch opportunities to accelerate growth.

External Community Development: Manage key non-political community relationships with an emphasis on partnering with other functional leaders to advance the organization’s brand as it relates to education, the Hawks foundation, corporate social responsibility and targeted community sponsorships. Additionally, research and develop a first-of-its-kind supplier diversity program for an NBA team.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
At least 10 years prior experience in diversity/human resources/communications
Prior experience in sports entertainment is preferred
Ability to influence areas of the business without direct reporting relationships
A recognized thought-leader on issues of diversity and inclusion {published work is preferred}
Established relationships with Atlanta government and community leaders preferred
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written required
Ability to work an extremely flexible schedule with long hours, as events are scheduled on weekends, holidays, evenings, etc.

The Atlanta Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1968, strive to be champions on the court and in the community and to create lifelong memories along the way. On the court, the Hawks have reached the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, which is the longest streak in the Eastern Conference. Off the court, the Hawks have awarded millions in charitable and in-kind contributions since 2004, including grants to area non-profits, scholarships for high school students and renovation of basketball courts in underserved neighborhoods. Philips Arena is consistently ranked among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world. In April 2009, Philips Arena became the first NBA arena to achieve LEED certification for an existing building as specified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena directly employ approximately 250 full-time team members and 800 part-time team members. For more information on the Hawks, log on to www.hawks.com today or follow us on twitter @ATLHawks.

Interested in the gig? Send your applications over to Harry the Hawk.