Overview

Oak View Group, located at McCormick Place Convention Center, has an immediate opening for an Outreach & Diversity Manager. The Community Outreach and Supplier Diversity Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and advancing initiatives that promote equitable economic opportunities, minority supplier inclusion, and meaningful community engagement. This role serves as a key liaison between the organization, MPEA client, diverse businesses, community stakeholders, governmental agencies, and industry partners to strengthen relationships, expand access to contracting opportunities, and support organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives. The position will lead supplier diversity efforts by identifying, engaging, and supporting diverse suppliers while fostering collaborative partnerships that create positive economic impact throughout the communities surrounding McCormick Place Convention Center and Wintrust Arena. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with diversity participation goals, maintaining reporting requirements, and advancing outreach initiatives that reflect the organization's commitment to inclusion and community investment.

This role pays an annual salary of $55,000-$65,000

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until September 11, 2026.

Responsibilities

Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships -

• Serve as the primary liaison between the organization, MPEA client, community organizations, local stakeholders, diverse businesses, and governmental agencies to cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships.
• Develop and implement community outreach strategies that strengthen the organization's presence, engagement, and positive impact within the surrounding communities.
• Identify opportunities to support local economic development, workforce inclusion, and community partnerships aligned with organizational goals.
• Represent the organization at community meetings, industry events, supplier diversity forums, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Foster partnerships with minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and other diverse businesses to increase awareness of contracting and procurement opportunities.

Supplier Diversity and Inclusion -

• Develop, manage, and continuously enhance the organization's Supplier Diversity Program, including participation goals, policies, procedures, performance metrics, and reporting mechanisms.
• Collaborate with procurement and operational teams to integrate supplier diversity strategies into sourcing, contracting, and purchasing processes.
• Identify, recruit, and support qualified diverse suppliers to expand participation opportunities across organizational spending categories.
• Research industry trends, benchmarking data, and best practices to strengthen supplier diversity initiatives and improve program effectiveness.
• Monitor supplier participation and utilization to ensure compliance with organizational objectives and contractual requirements.
• Promote and support good faith effort initiatives while maintaining accurate documentation and outreach records.

Compliance, Reporting, and Program Administration -

• Manage all supplier diversity reporting requirements, including local, state, federal, client, and organizational compliance obligations.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain supplier participation spend data and program metrics to measure performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Prepare and submit reports, presentations, and updates for organizational leadership, OVG, MPEA, and other stakeholders as required.
• Maintain accurate records related to supplier certifications, outreach activities, participation achievements, and compliance documentation.
• Develop recommendations and action plans to improve supplier engagement, inclusion outcomes, and community impact.

Program Development and Event Management -

• Coordinate and oversee quarterly networking and outreach events that connect diverse suppliers, community partners, and organizational stakeholders to promote business development and collaboration.
• Facilitate educational workshops, informational sessions, and networking opportunities that support supplier growth and capacity building.
• Participate in supplier diversity councils, industry associations, and professional organizations to strengthen partnerships and identify emerging opportunities.
• Communicate supplier diversity achievements, community engagement initiatives, and program outcomes to leadership and key stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications -

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Communications, Community Development, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 3-5 years of experience in supplier diversity, community outreach, economic inclusion, procurement, stakeholder engagement, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and their application within supplier diversity and community engagement programs.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, business associations, governmental agencies, and diverse suppliers.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to manage
• multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities, including data collection, interpretation, and performance measurement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple departments and organizational levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and database/reporting systems, is required.

Preferred Qualifications -

• Experience in procurement, financial management, sourcing, contracting, or supplier relationship management.
• Knowledge of MBE, WBE, DBE, VBE, LGBTQ+, and other diverse business certification programs.
• Experience working within convention centers, hospitality, public venues, government agencies, or large-scale operational environments.
• Familiarity with compliance reporting requirements and supplier diversity measurement methodologies.