Director, Inclusion

Job Description

IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy offers an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences, providing growth opportunities for all student-athletes through:

• Boarding school and camps, via a 600-acre state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla. (IMGAcademy.com)
• Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance (IMGAcademy.com/Plus)
• Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches (ncsasports.org)
  

Our team has a deep appreciation for the transformative power of sports and holistic personal development. Our leadership is actively investing in the growth of the organization. We continue to broaden and deepen our technology platform and team in pursuit of our vision for empowering youth sports and the path-to-college for student-athletes.

IMG Academy is part of the Endeavor family of companies (NYSE:EDR).

Endeavor is a global entertainment, sports and content company, home to the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events and experiences. The company is comprised of industry leaders including entertainment agency WME; sports, fashion, events and media company IMG; and premier mixed martial arts organization UFC. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation; marketing and licensing; content development, distribution and sales; event management; and a number of direct-to-consumer offerings.

Endeavor’s Impact and Inclusion Team is looking for a seasoned executive to lead inclusion efforts for IMG Academy. Based in Bradenton, Florida, the Director, Inclusion will lead all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the organization, including working with leadership to develop and implement a strategy for the agency overall, as well as customized action plans for key departments and business areas.

This position is a highly influential role that requires autonomy, deep knowledge and practice of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, strong partnership competency and the ability to balance competing priorities. The ideal candidate will be able to work with the most senior executives and the most junior employees and potential employees. The ideal candidate will be a team player, working collaboratively with multiple areas of the business.

The goal of the position is to 1) significantly impact workforce composition across IMG Academy, by increasing the number of individuals from underrepresented and historically excluded groups and 2) develop and implement recommendations that increase retention, productivity, career progression and belonging for employees from underrepresented and historically excluded backgrounds, and 3) act as an advisor and participant for business units working on campaigns or projects targeting student athletes from underrepresented backgrounds or dealing with themes of community impact, social, or racial justice.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and project manage implementation of inclusion strategy and accountability metrics for IMG Academy. Design and implement DE&I strategy for the IMG Academy in partnership with key stakeholders including head of school, student life, coaches, communications, human resources, and business managers. Inclusion strategy to include recommendations to attract, retain and advance students, employees, and candidates from URGs across the lifecycle of their education/employment.
• Meet regularly with IMG Academy leadership to review strategy, progress to-date, metrics and KPIs. Create and give Inclusion update presentations on business unit initiatives to various stakeholders in public forums such as meetings, retreats, etc. 
• Advise IMG Academy leaders on projects focused on reaching consumers from underrepresented groups and/or involving racial and social justice themes. Provide subject matter expertise, guidance and inspiration to innovate and influence to support our diversity, equity and inclusion objectives.
• Oversee the governance of the IMGA Employee Resource Groups and Academy DE&I task force ensuring they fit for purpose, are impactful and aligned with Endeavor DE&I strategy. Assist in implementing an external council that is made up of members of under-represented groups that will help advise the Executive Leadership Team when necessary.
• Be a point of contact for employees from underrepresented groups on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workspace and collaborate with respective HR point people to offer support and remedy issues that come up.
• Meet with employees from underrepresented groups 1on1 to develop supportive programming to foster retention and promotion. 
• Communicate Impact and Inclusion based updates, wins, programs best practices and opportunities to your employee population.
• Recommend and oversee implementation of relevant DEI trainings and capacity building exercises for leadership, people managers and the general employee population on topics that emerge in the BU.
• Work in collaboration with other Inclusion BPs and members of the Impact & Inclusion team to share and learn from your BU’s successes, opportunities for improvement, and solutions to support the department and company’s growth and success.
• Act as Impact + Inclusion liaison with business unit leadership and employee base. Support team and company-wide Impact + Inclusion priorities and IMG Academy-specific cultural initiatives as needed.
• Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify inclusion-related trends within the company. Has a rigorous approach to data analytics and uses data insight to influence decision making. Use data insights and regular reporting to demonstrate progress on strategic priorities and identify and address areas requiring particular focus or attention.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Skills

Other abilities, experiences, skills, and knowledge you’ll possess will include being

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to think creatively, be resourceful, manage multiple deadlines, be proactive, and have exceptional attention to detail. Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills are necessary to be successful in this position.

• An adaptable leader – Ability to adapt to ever-changing environments with a positive and optimistic attitude. Highly motivated and able to take initiative.
• An entrepreneurial spirit – Be excited to build systems and interventions from inception. A strategic thinker with the ability to learn existing processes and improve them by setting up new procedures.
• A team player – You’ll be helping build new DEI infrastructure with our team, so no task is too big or too small. You understand the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and demonstrate a willingness to help others. Has a desire to work collaboratively with colleagues and be team-oriented.
• Able to work in a fast-paced and matrixed environment – Issues may need immediate and thoughtful responses and coordination with multiple stakeholders. You’ll be able to manage that pace when needed.  
• A strong relationship builder – Have the ability to engage and build relationships with various stakeholders within the company to participate in inclusion initiatives.  A proven ability to drive execution in partnership with others and leveraging resources.
• Emotionally intelligent with a strong business acumen – Can exercise expert judgment and sensitivity in all communications and conversations. Can respond to difficult situations with a measured and respectful response. 
• A dedicated advocate with a proven track record – Have experience and passion for working in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space, or on social change initiatives with a history of executing inclusive campaigns and initiatives. A proven track record in making a positive difference in DE&I, across large, complex organizations with substantive experience in driving innovation and change, demonstrating cutting-edge thinking on leading activities in this space.
• An excellent communicator – Possess exceptional written and verbal skills, attention to detail, and ability to distill and present complex information into clear, concise, and engaging communications with a particular focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Equally at ease in presenting in formal or informal settings, with both internal and external-facing audiences, including senior executives and management committees, as well as employee networks.
  

Preferred Skills

• Additional years of specific work experience – Have relevant work experience in the sports education industry, specifically focused on diversifying the makeup of the industry for women, communities of color, and other underrepresented groups. Have experience working specifically in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. Have experience working with a corporate executive team.
• A facilitator and workshop creator – Ability to create and present relevant DEI trainings and capacity building exercises for leadership, people managers and the general employee population.
• A connector – Ability to recommend specific pipeline, industry partnerships, and branding opportunities to Impact + Inclusion Operations and Partnerships teams.
  

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Must be able to move around campus which includes gym, turf, fields, etc.
• Ability to work flexible hours to include nights, weekends and holidays is required
  

Background Requirements

• Requires a full background check and drug testing screen
  

Endeavor is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Diversity Statement for Endeavor

Endeavor unites and brings people together in our love of sport, culture, and entertainment. We understand this can only be accomplished when we harness the entirety of our company and lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. It means that we engage in anti-racism and allyship the way we do anything. Fiercely and Fearlessly. As a global company that drives culture, we endeavor to reflect the world’s diverse voices both internally and externally to ensure success in our mission.

Endeavor is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.