How to Become a Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Create a culture where every employee is treated equally and feels welcome.

How to Become a Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity managers perform a wide range of job duties.

Many companies are taking steps to build a more inclusive workplace—and one of those steps includes hiring people who can help create a culture where every employee is treated equally and feels welcome. Learn how to become a diversity and inclusion manager and usher in positive change.

What Is Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)?

Diversity ensures people from a variety of backgrounds are represented; inclusion means those people are valued for their contributions and perspectives. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace entails creating fair opportunities for all employees regardless of:

  • age
  • ethnicity
  • race
  • religion
  • gender
  • sexual orientation
  • nationality
  • education
  • physical ability
  • socioeconomic status

D&I managers focus on nurturing a work environment where employees feel safe being their authentic and true selves without fear of discrimination. These managers help companies to set a level playing field for all employees to reach their full potential.

The Importance of a Diverse Workforce

The best companies for diversity are familiar with the upshots. Those that have greater racial and gender diversity tend to outperform companies that are predominately white and male, according to a study by McKinsey & Company.

Studies also show that the benefits of a diverse workplace include:

  • Fostering higher levels of employee engagement
  • Attracting and retains candidates
  • Boosting the public’s perception of a brand or company

What Does a Diversity and Inclusion Manager Do?

Diversity managers often perform a wide range of job duties and may work under the umbrella of human resources. Their responsibilities can include the following:

  • Review a company’s current practices and policies, assessing the extent to which they support or hinder the organization’s diversity and inclusion goals.
  • Plan, develop, and facilitate the implementation of diversity programs and strategies.
  • Work closely with company executives to build a culture of inclusion.
  • Advise on the development and delivery of diversity recruitment, retention, and promotion practices.
  • Collaborate with communications team and recruiters to drive external and internal diversity related messages.

Diversity and Inclusion Training

To learn how to become a diversity and inclusion manager, you must complete a handful of educational and professional prerequisites. A bachelor’s degree in human resources or business administration are common first steps. Some of the areas covered may include equal employment opportunity law, talent management, and emerging trends in the workforce.

After gaining some work experience, you’ll want to seek out continuing education through diversity and inclusion certification either via traditional colleges and universities such as Cornell (18 months) and the Yale School of Management (three weeks), or specialized D&I organizations such as the Institute for Diversity Certification (eight weeks).

To move up the ranks in D&I and reach managerial and director levels, a master’s degree may be required by certain employers.

How Much Does a Diversity and Inclusion Manager Make?

A diversity and inclusion manager’s salary is like to be similar to that of training and development managers, who make $113,350 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The pay ranges from $64,720 to $196,070 and is dependent on your experience and credentials, as well as where in the country you’re employed.

You can look up the average salary for diversity managers in your location by using the Monster Salary Guide.

Jobs in Diversity and Inclusion

Ready to make a difference in today’s workplace? Now that you know what the job entails, what professional certifications to get, and how much you’d make, it’s time to start applying to jobs. Check out all the open positions for diversity and inclusion manager jobs on Monster today.

As for where the jobs are, as per the BLS, these are the top five states with the most jobs for diversity managers:

Top five areas:

Bring Your Passion for D&I to the Workplace

After understanding how to become a diversity and inclusion manager, it’s vital to stay informed on the companies who are eager to welcome your talents. Want some help? Monster’s got you. Upload your resume for free today so that recruiters can seek you out for top D&I jobs.