A good diversity and inclusion (D&I) manager attracts diverse talent, creates a culture of happiness and acceptance, and boosts your reputation among customers, investors, and future employees.
But put the wrong person in this seat, and you risk missed D&I targets, poor team morale, and a reputation for insincere lip service. This often stems from poorly written job descriptions that focus too much on generic HR experience instead of the unique skills needed to elevate D&I.
We’re here to help you avoid this.
Below, we share a comprehensive D&I manager job description template and show you how to assess candidates using skills-based techniques so you can hire a high-caliber D&I manager for your company.
Location: [City, State/Remote]
Department: [Department Name]
Reports To: [Manager/Supervisor Title]
Job Type: [Full-Time/Part-Time/Contract]
We are seeking a passionate and strategic Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Manager to lead initiatives that foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace. In this role, you will develop and implement programs that promote equitable hiring, employee belonging, and cultural awareness across the organization.
If you are committed to driving meaningful change, influencing leadership, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture, we’d love to hear from you!
Develop and implement D&I strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.
Lead diversity training and awareness programs to foster an inclusive workplace culture.
Collaborate with HR, leadership, and employee resource groups (ERGs) to embed D&I principles in hiring, promotions, and retention strategies.
Analyze workforce demographics and D&I metrics, using data-driven insights to identify gaps and track progress.
Advise leadership on inclusive policies, equitable hiring practices, and bias reduction strategies.
Support employee engagement and belonging initiatives, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
Stay up to date on D&I trends, legislation, and best practices, bringing innovative ideas to drive continuous improvement.
Build partnerships with external organizations and community groups to enhance diversity initiatives.
Soft Skills & Work Approach:
Strategic thinker with the ability to influence and drive change.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities.
Passionate about creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Ability to build relationships across all levels of an organization and foster a culture of belonging.
Technical & Industry Skills:
Strong knowledge of D&I best practices, unconscious bias training, and inclusive hiring strategies.
Experience with data analysis, reporting, and diversity metrics tracking.
Familiarity with employment laws and regulations related to workplace equity and inclusion.
Proven ability to develop and implement D&I programs with measurable impact.
Preferred Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Social Sciences, Business, Psychology, Organizational Development, or a related field.
X+ years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), HR, culture transformation, or employee engagement.
Skills-Based Hiring: We assess candidates based on skills and impact, not just resumes.
Purpose-Driven Work: Lead meaningful D&I initiatives that create lasting change.
Inclusive & Supportive Culture: We value diversity, equity, and transparency.
Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development, leadership advancement, and external partnerships.
If you are a D&I champion who thrives on building an inclusive, equitable workplace, apply today and help shape a diverse future!
To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio (if applicable) to [email/website link].
Deadline: [Insert Application Deadline]
[Company Name] is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
We crafted this diversity and inclusion manager job description template to attract only the most skilled D&I managers.
Let’s break down why this format works.
We start the job description with basic but critical details, such as the job title, location, and employment type. An increasing number of jobs are becoming hybrid or remote, and the gig economy is growing. It’s best to clarify work arrangements to avoid wasting time if candidates have different logistical expectations.
Next, we’ve added a job summary that sums up the most important aspects of the role – for instance, the fact that it requires leadership abilities and involves implementing D&I programs. This is a great way to let candidates self-assess their suitability for the job before diving deeper into the rest of the role description.
In this section, we clearly outline the key duties and tasks D&I managers are expected to perform. On the one hand, we keep things generic – for example, “Develop and implement D&I strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and goals” to indicate that candidates need to create and lead their own strategies.
However, it’s also essential to include some role specifics – for instance, asking candidates to advise company leaders on inclusive policies, bias mitigation, and equitable hiring. This is pivotal to ensuring they’re comfortable with the role's seniority and breadth.
We’ve split candidate requirements into hard skills like data analysis and reporting, soft skills like problem-solving and communication, and educational qualifications. We’ve put the emphasis on skills and listed education as “preferred” rather than required.
Prioritizing skills is an excellent way to offer opportunities to candidates who may not have had the resources for a college degree but have skilled themselves through alternative routes. Plus, it shows that you’re inclusive in your approach to hiring, which will attract applicants who are truly passionate about D&I.
We end the job description by helping candidates understand what’s in it for them. In this competitive landscape, you must outline benefits, opportunities for growth, and more to attract top talent before they’re snagged by competitors.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to provide candidates with instructions on how to apply for the job and any applicable deadlines. You can do this at the start or end of your role description.
Biweekly updates. No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
A well-crafted job description helps you attract the right candidates for your diversity and inclusion manager role. But you must assess them thoroughly to avoid hiring the wrong person for this high-stakes job.
The best way to do this is through objective and science-backed pre-employment tests. TestGorilla's library of 400+ expert-designed tests lets you assess applicants' hard and soft skills, cognitive abilities, personality traits, values, and more so you can make data-driven screening decisions.
Combine up to five tests to create a custom diversity and inclusion manager assessment for your candidates. We recommend the tests below.
Technical expertise
Training and Development test
Change Management test
HR Fundamentals test
Soft skills and cognitive abilities
Communication test
Critical Thinking test
Personality and culture
Enneagram, DISC, and other personality tests
This holistic assessment helps you shortlist candidates with the right technical skills and the key traits and values needed to succeed in the D&I space. Combining these insights with powerful behavioral interviewing is the best way to hire someone to meet diversity targets, build an inclusive culture, and truly make a difference in your company.
Keen to explore further? Register for a free TestGorilla account where you can discover more tests and post open roles on our job board.
Looking for more information? Read our answers to some frequently asked questions.
A diversity and inclusion manager creates programs and policies that help companies attract and retain diverse talent. They also develop cultural initiatives and implement training to build a work environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Want to learn more about why this role is important? Read our blog on the benefits of diversity in the workplace and our diversity and inclusion hiring guide.
The pay for a diversity and inclusion manager varies by location, breadth of responsibilities, and company size. But, on average, US diversity and inclusion managers make $139,693 per year.
Why not try TestGorilla for free, and see what happens when you put skills first.