Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Development and Engagement Manager

Become a part of the team behind the team.  

As employees of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter, we do more than basketball. We bring people together to create extraordinary moments and lasting memories through the power of sports and entertainment. We are pioneers and innovators. We look for people who push boundaries, who dream, who are committed to inclusivity – who want to contribute to Rip City!  

As our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Development and Engagement Manager, you will lead training and engagement strategies that advance DEI across the organization. This role focuses on developing and delivering impactful programs that enhance DEI understanding, foster an inclusive culture, and embed equity into daily practices. You will design interactive training for staff at all levels, ensuring programs are engaging, measurable, and aligned with organizational goals.

In collaboration with the DEI Programming Specialist and Impact Marketing Manager, you will support initiatives like cultural celebration nights, internal campaigns, and community events. You’ll also work with internal teams to integrate DEI into systems and decision-making while strengthening partnerships with community organizations to further the organization’s DEI commitments.

This role is an on-site position. Currently, the Portland Trail Blazers work in a hybrid environment, with three days in the office and two days remote. 

DAY-TO-DAY:

Internal Development and Engagement 80%:

·          Design, facilitate, and assess DEI training programs that enhance awareness, knowledge, and skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all levels of the organization.

·          Customize training content to meet the unique needs of different departments, teams, and leadership levels, including part-time staff.

·          Serve as the primary liaison for Business Resource Groups (BRGs), providing strategy, guidance, resources, and support to ensure members are having a positive experience and impact in alignment with the company’s DEI goals.

·          Manage continued collaborative initiatives with BRGs such as: Celebration Night attendance/involvement, budgets, and heritage month internal programming.

·          Develop the engagement strategy for special internal events - including internal speaker series and other DEI specific employee engagement initiatives such as Lunch & Learns and Heritage Month Celebrations.

·          Lead Ally Council and Inclusion Board (internal groups) with a focus on creating DEI champions across all levels of the organization by creating strategy and benchmarks for internal groups.

·          Partner with People & Culture by introducing our DEI values and setting expectations with new hires as part of the onboarding experience.

·          Research and strategize best practices and innovative approaches to ensure that DEI remains a top priority.

External Engagement 20%:

• Serve as liaison for Community Partners for celebration nights, Racial Equity Project partners, and local NPHC/D9 organizations.
• Assist with cultivating diverse talent pools by creating relationships with Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI).
• Serve as point of contact and fully support NBA Foundation HBCU Fellowship program
• Cultivate and develop relationships with Portland-area Employee Resource Group Leads for joint engagement opportunities and to build larger networks for diverse staff.
   

Other:

• Perform other duties as assigned as it relates to internal and external administrative, strategic, or programmatic work.
• Demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking and a solution-oriented mindset to drive impactful, equity-centered outcomes.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU:

• Have experience managing projects, with event management as a plus.
• Bring a strong background in training and facilitation across various job levels.
• Possess sharp analytical skills and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Have an advanced understanding of DEI strategy and its practical application.
• Excel in customer service and building meaningful relationships.
• Can confidently collaborate across teams and influence key stakeholders.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence, staying composed and adaptable under pressure.
• Communicate effectively, turning conflict into productive collaboration.
• Are tech-savvy, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Are available for a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.

WE’D BE THRILLED IF YOU ALSO HAVE:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• At least five years of experience building relationships within BIPOC and diverse communities.
• Experience in training and curriculum development within the DEI space.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Rip City, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

PERKS: 

We invest in our employees inside and outside of work. Our benefits package for full-time teammates includes:

-          Salary Range: $90,000 - $95,000 annually

-          Competitive Healthcare Coverage

-          Retirement Plan

-          Paid Maternal & Parental Leave

-          Flexible Time Off (3 weeks + 11 holidays)

-          Wellness Perks

-          Tuition Reimbursement

-          Free Parking + Discounted Mass Transit Passes

-          Discounted & Complimentary Tickets

-          Ongoing Learning & Development

Offers of employment are conditional upon the successful results of an individual background check. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and review results on an individual basis.

The Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter embraces diversity and inclusion. We celebrate individual expression and uniqueness on our campus. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We are committed to hiring individuals that reflect the community we serve without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. We are an equal opportunity employer.  

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.