Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI+B)

Barkley; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Barkley, a leading creative agency, seeks a Program Manager, DEIB to drive inclusive initiatives and systemic change within the organization. This role is responsible for designing and implementing programs that promote a culture of belonging and support the agency's strategic goals around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The ideal candidate will leverage data and partnerships to enhance workplace inclusivity and engagement, aiming to create an environment where all employees can thrive.

Benefits

Hybrid work flexibility

Ongoing professional development

Senior leadership exposure

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging roles.
• Experience in an advertising agency preferred.
• Ability to use data to assess program effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and evaluate agency-wide DEI+B initiatives.
• Conduct regular assessments to evaluate inclusion and engagement.
• Serve as a coach and advisor to agency leaders on DEIB topics.

Skills

Coaching

Data-Driven Insight

Cultural Agility

Empathy & Listening

Collaboration

Job description

The Program Manager, DEIB will lead our agency's efforts in fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and representative workplace. Reporting to the Chief People Officer and based in our Chicago office, this role is both strategic and executional — managing programs, developing inclusive content, and embedding DEI+B practices throughout the agency.

This person will be a coach, educator, and connector—equipping employees with the tools and cultural fluency to engage in nuanced conversations internally and with clients. As part of our multidisciplinary Inclusion Council, this role will also support systemic change by surfacing potential bias in policies and practices, lean into our retention strategies and ways to empower our people through creating an inclusive environment.

We are seeking a data-driven DEI+B leader with advertising agency experience and a proven track record of driving measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Inclusionary Programming
• Build, implement, and evaluate agency-wide DEI+B initiatives that promote a sense of belonging for all.
• Conduct regular assessments to evaluate inclusion and engagement across teams
• Develop and lead educational programs and workshops on inclusive practices and intercultural fluency
• Manage all DEIB-related programming and communications
• Establish key metrics and use data to measure program impact and guide decisions
• Foster accountability through feedback loops, reporting, and transparent progress tracking
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs)
• Support and scale internal employee groups that foster identity, allyship, and professional development
• Partner with BRG leaders to ensure alignment with agency goals and inclusive outcomes
• Offer development opportunities and support for BRG leadership
• Track engagement, impact, and effectiveness through both qualitative and quantitative insights
• Create safe spaces for feedback and surface unseen challenges affecting underrepresented communities
• Community Partnerships
• Strengthen relationships between the agency and external partners to support a more diverse talent ecosystem
• Identify and manage partnerships with nonprofits, schools, and local organizations
• Drive workforce development and community outreach efforts aligned with agency values
• Create pipelines that expand access to underrepresented talent
• Represent the agency at DEI+B and community events and initiatives
• Coaching & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Serve as a coach and advisor to agency leaders and teams, helping them navigate DEIB conversations confidently
• Provide tools and training to help employees address complex or sensitive topics with clients
• Act as a liaison between the DEIB function and client service teams to promote intercultural fluency and inclusive storytelling
• Influence business operations with a DEIB lens, ensuring inclusive practices are embedded in recruitment, retention, and daily culture
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging roles
• Prior experience working in an advertising agency or creative industry environment is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to use data and metrics to assess program effectiveness and make informed decisions
• Strong background in organizational development, change management, and facilitation
• Skilled at coaching and influencing across all levels of an organization
• Deep understanding of systemic barriers and how to dismantle them through culture, education, and leadership
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and storytelling skills
• Comfortable facilitating workshops, training sessions, and inclusive dialogue
• Core Competencies
• Empathy & Listening – Understand and advocate for diverse lived experiences
• Strategic & Executional Balance – Blend long-term vision with day-to-day impact
• Cultural Agility – Navigate cultural complexity and bridge across differences
• Coaching & Influence – Equip others with knowledge and confidence to lead inclusively
• Data-Driven Insight – Translate findings into clear, actionable strategies
• We Offer
• Hybrid work flexibility in our Chicago office, 4 days in office.
• Opportunity to lead and shape a growing DEIB function within a creative environment
• A values-driven culture where inclusivity is not just a goal, but a way of working
• Ongoing professional development and senior leadership exposure
  

The annual gross base salary range is $87,000 - $109,000 USD. This range represents the anticipated target salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and are based on factors such as a candidate's qualifications, skills, and geographic location. Salary is one component of BarkleyOKRP's total compensation package, which includes multiple health insurance options, flexible PTO, life insurance, and 401K.

BarkleyOKRP's Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

• We believe being radically diverse and inclusive is the key to becoming one of the world's great creative idea companies. By embracing everything that makes our partners who they are and what makes them unique to the world around them, we create the conditions and capacity to help creative, original thinking thrive.
• BarkleyOKRP is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as part of our corporate strategic goals, supported by a formal DEI+B program, Employee Resource Groups, Director of Diversity leadership and agency commitment to The Brand Lab, Creative Accelerator, Fellowship, MAIP, and BLAC.