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About the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that leads the NBA family’s collaborative efforts to advance social justice. 

 

Formed jointly by the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), and the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) in 2020, the Coalition leverages the game of basketball’s influence to promote justice policy reforms at the national, state, and local levels. 

 

Coalition board members include NBA players, team governors, and coaches, as well as NBA and NBPA leadership. The Coalition’s policy priorities are criminal justice, policing reform, voting rights, and community safety. 

 

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced policy expert and project management professional to serve as Program Director with the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. Reporting to the Coalition’s Head of Programs & Partnerships, the Program Director will prepare actionable policy analyses, develop and manage a diverse portfolio of social justice advocacy campaigns (policy plans and initiatives), draft strategic plans, and provide technical assistance and guidance to key stakeholders. 

 

The Program Director will work closely with the Head of Programs & Partnerships to: (1) establish policy-oriented strategic plans and gameplans; (2) build and maintain partnerships with federal, state, and local policymakers, civil society organizations, and subject matter experts; and (3) represent the Coalition in various cross-functional operational workstreams. The Program Director may be responsible for supervising consultants.

 

The Program Director will serve as a policy resource for the Coalition’s Executive Director and Board of Directors, the NBA Social Responsibility and Player Programs (SRPP) team, the NBA Communications team, and various other departments across the NBA.

 

Major Responsibilities:

The Program Director will work with the Executive Director and the Head of Programs & Partnerships to manage  the Coalition’s advocacy agenda. Responsibilities include developing and managing a portfolio of federal, state, and local advocacy campaigns developed to support the Coalition’s social justice policy agenda. Duties fall into the following categories:

 

Policy, Research & Evaluation  
•    Conduct policy research and develop campaigns.

•    Develop policy landscape analyses, social justice gameplans, and advocacy support for teams, players, and coaches.
•    Establish advocacy and programmatic metrics and evaluation processes that tie to Coalition annual objectives & key results (OKRs) for all activities.
•    Prepare written briefings, decks, and informational materials for engagement with internal and external stakeholders. 
 

Events & Special Projects
•    Lead planning and execution of Coalition-sponsored projects and activations. 
•    Partner with communications team to manage execution of public-facing engagements and appearances by Coalition staff, board members, or other supporters. 
 

Collaboration
•    Foster relationships with federal, state, and local legislative staff, civil society partners (national and local organizations with proven subject matter expertise on the Coalition’s priority areas).

•    Liaise with counterparts across NBA business units to ensure regular and efficient information sharing and effective collaboration.
•    Build relationships within NBA community including NBA league office staff, NBA team staff, players, coaches, and legends.

 

Required Skills/Knowledge

•    Proven policy experience with track-record of successful project management. 
•    Problem-solver with ability to design and manage complex, multilateral projects from inception to execution. 
•    Creative and optimistic approach to advocacy with a forward-looking perspective on challenges.
•    Demonstrated ability to build teams, foster collaborative relationships, and forge partnerships with  individuals and institutions.
•    Professional commitment to racial and social justice as demonstrated through previous work experience. 

•    Familiarity with the sports industry.

•    Strong emotional intelligence.

 

Experience Needed

•    Bachelor’s degree required, relevant advanced degree preferred.
•    10+ years’ experience in advocacy, government, sports, entertainment, and/or another relevant field required. 
•    Experience in 501(c)(3) advocacy, 501(c)(4) lobbying, or private sector social responsibility work preferred but not required. 
 

 

Salary Range: [[$130,000.00 - $170,000.00]] 

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume. 

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.