Inclusion Manager

ABOUT A.C.T.: 

American Conservatory Theater is an essential gathering place that brings artists and communities together to inspire and provoke. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein, A.C.T.’s mission is to engage the spirit of the San Francisco Bay Area, activate stories that resonate, promote a diversity of voices and points of view, and empower theater makers and audiences to celebrate liveness. A.C.T. values inclusion, transformational learning, participation, and rigorous fun. A.C.T. is a Tony Award–winning nonprofit theater serving almost 200,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area annually through theater, training, and education and community programs.  

Position Purpose: 

The Inclusion Manager supports the Director of Human Resources and Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in ensuring an inclusive work culture that embraces a diversity of experiences and perspectives.  Inclusion Manager will execute on the vision and strategy to strengthen A.C.T.'s equity, diversity, inclusion and culture building efforts by working in collaboration with the Director of Human Resources and EDI and in supporting action from all stakeholders and staff who are responsible for this work. The Inclusion Manager actively engages employees and leaders within the organization in developing behaviors, attitudes, and practices that ultimately attract, develop, and retain a highly engaged, diverse workforce and creates a workplace culture in which everyone can thrive. 

Responsibilities: (please note, this list is not exhaustive, but rather a representation of job duties) 

The Inclusion Manager will develop, implement and evolve organization-wide diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategies in partnership with key stakeholders and in alignment with the strategic plan and organizational values.  In partnership with the Director of Human Resources and EDI, this position will collaborate and assign work across all departments to cultivate and integrate inclusive practices that strengthen the cultural competence of the organization.  

• Infuse diversity and inclusion concepts across all management processes and practices (e.g. recruiting and hiring, assessment, performance management, employee development, succession, etc.), providing expertise, training and support around inclusive practices.
• Provide necessary analysis, expertise and consultation for establishing and meeting organizational culture and diversity goals, objectives, and strategies; develop and communicate plans to meet established goals.
• Establish EDI accountability measures and metrics and implement feedback mechanisms for tracking our progress, celebrating and communicating successes and identifying and addressing areas of concern.
• Provide guidance and leadership to all levels of the organization in creating a culture of trust and respect; courageously urge leaders (formal and informal) to seek out and embrace new situations, thinking, ideas and environments to expand their perspectives.
• Provide effective leadership, guidance, support and oversight to the staff EDI Committees, ensuring alignment and integration of plans, budgets and programming.
• Manage A.C.T.’s identity-based affinity groups ensuring that spaces are created, facilitated, and heard from, as needed. 
• Plan or develop and deliver training programs that teach diversity, equity & inclusion, anti-racist principles and practices.
• Create formal and informal opportunities/activities for staff to engage with one another, get to know each other, learn, share stories and have fun.
• Assess and advise on complex and nuanced situations related to EDI, as appropriate. 
• Proactively research and stay up to date on social issues and changing language that impacts our work and our relationships with our various communities and use that knowledge to inform EDI work at A.C.T.
• Manage and support employee relations issues as needed.
• Support EDI and HR projects and tasks as needed.

Qualifications & Qualities:  

Required/Minimum Qualifications or Basic Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. 
• Alignment with A.C.T.’s Mission, Vaues and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• 5 years’ experience working with organizational diversity and inclusion initiatives; required experience with/understanding of employment/management practices through an EDI lens.
• Experience developing, implementing, and measuring EDI and employee engagement strategies and initiatives.
• Experience designing and delivering EDI-specific training and assessing the effectiveness of such training.
• Experience coaching all levels of management with successful outcomes.
• Deep functional knowledge of EDI and anti-racist best practices and current research; working knowledge of US and CA laws and guidelines related to diversity.
• Ability to support Human Resources administrative responsibilities.  
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with A.C.T. colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to influence, build strong relationships and balance interests of multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to model principles associated with inclusive leadership such as curiosity, vulnerability, humility, empathy, creativity, active listening, etc.
• Ability to think strategically and to implement operationally
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills; proficient with technology and social media platforms, e.g., MS Office, ADP, presentation tools, and other systems and online tools as necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills; outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications:  

• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences. 
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with A.C.T. colleagues and stakeholders.
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a managerial role.
• Previous experience or strong interest in theater and/or the arts in general. 
• Previous experience/strong proficiency with the HR body of knowledge.
• Previous experience/strong proficiency with Payroll processing.
• Experience working with employees in multiple locations.
• Experience with both non-profit and for-profit companies.

Diversity makes us stronger.  If you’d like to learn more about A.C.T. EDI values, Mission, Vision and culture go to Mission, Values, and EDI | American Conservatory Theater (act-sf.org) ACT is committed to diversity in its programming and creating an inclusive work culture and environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.