DEI Director

Job Summary

Techstars is expanding our ESG efforts, and we are hiring an experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Director to help build out and manage Techstars DEI initiatives. In this role, you will be responsible for executing against a DEI roadmap that includes both internal employee initiatives and our initiatives focused on our thousands of portfolio companies and prospective portfolio companies across the globe. As the DEI Director, you will be contributing to the diversification of Techstars investors, providing geographically specific DEI guidance and strategic planning around capital formation.  You will be developing DEI programs and engaging with the Techstars network, which includes founders, mentors, corporate partners, investors, and other members of the Techstars community. 

Techstars is looking for a leader with a passion for fostering inclusive work environments and experience managing large cross-functional project initiatives that promote a culture of inclusion, diversity of perspectives, and equity internally and externally. In this role, you will collaborate with multiple Techstars departments, including but not limited to data, investments, marketing, product, legal, human capital, and executive leadership. In particular, this role will partner closely with our Accelerator Investments Team to build out external DEI initiatives that focus on our portfolio companies and Techstars network in addition to the human capital team to foster an inclusive workplace and develop DEI internally. Building meaningful and effective working relationships with geographically dispersed teams is essential.  

DEI is a critical component of Techstars investment process, accelerator experience, and company culture. You will be building upon strategic objectives and inspire meaningful action from others on an overarching strategy.   As the DEI Director you will be leveraging data to track project progress and developing summary and detailed reports to support transparent communications to internal and external stakeholders. Given the cross-functional and stakeholder-focused nature of this work, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are fundamental attributes for this role. 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and manage cross-functional DEI projects through lifecycle, including coordinating across teams and project resources for on-time task completion
• In close collaboration with the Associate General Counsel of ESG, support drafting of the DEI strategic plan through conducting research, gathering data, incorporating employee feedback, and other related activities.
• Partner closely with the Human Capital team to ensure that DEI is embedded in the entire talent lifecycle from attracting diverse talent to training leaders/employees, developing, promoting and retaining diverse talent in a culture that fosters inclusion and belonging.
• Partner closely with the Accelerator Investments Team to define global as well as local diversity and inclusion goals, help generate a more diverse and inclusive pipeline, help develop and/ or source relevant content and education to serve the needs of diverse founders in accelerator programs, and ensure that all program teams are trained on supporting and meeting the needs of diverse founders and on creating an environment of inclusivity.
• Assess existing and design new programs and initiatives that further Techstars’ DEI strategy and contribute to creating a more diverse and inclusive portfolio and workplace.
• Assist with diversity analytics, including benchmarking, tracking metrics, analyzing, and generating diversity reporting for various audiences to highlight trends and demonstrate impact of DEI programs and initiatives.
• Develop educational and action-orientated presentations on DEI, training Techstars founders and employees inclusivity, unconscious bias, and related awareness building matters. 
• Provide thought leadership, advice, coaching, mentorship, and consultation to program teams and founders. 
• Coordinate reporting and responses to external and internal audiences regarding company, founder, and alumni DEI programming and data. 
• Establish reporting mechanisms to track and analyze quarterly KPI’s. Evaluate data analysis to inform future actions, benchmarking our practices, and taking our efforts to the next level.
• Stay up to date on trends, laws, policies, and regulations, and other factors that may influence DEI programs and have implications for Techstars.
• Develop a network of champions across Techstars dedicated to supporting inclusive practices and fostering a more diverse community. 

 Qualifications and Skills

• A deep passion for fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment that enables all individuals to thrive by bringing their authentic selves to work.
• 7+ years of experience in building DEI Programs in a global company, prior experience within technology, financial services, and/or investment management preferred.
• Experience building programming across a geographically diverse organization, ability to recognize regional differences and nuances.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent professional experience, a masters in a related field would be an advantage. 
• Successful track record of influencing without direct authority, and leading large scale, complex initiatives.
• Expert presentation skills with the ability to influence, inspire, and articulate the company’s DEI vision and goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural values and norms of various communities, particularly of communities of color, LGBTQIA+ and underserved communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex information to a large audience and leverage data to tell a story.
• Experience handling confidential/sensitive information.
• Knowledge of federal/local laws that pertain to DEI.
• Ability to design, track, analyze, and report key metrics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and measure and report on critical outcomes.
• Thrive in managing stakeholder expectations through clearly defined project objectives and focused execution against plans.
• Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision in a fast-paced environment, as well as work collaboratively with a team.

Compensation range: $120,000 - $160,000 

US Benefits

About Techstars

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,900 companies that today have a combined market cap valuation of $71 Billion. www.techstars.com

Techstars is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental handicaps or disabilities, marital status, Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity nor any other basis prohibited by law.