The Seattle Storm is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief Social Impact Officer (CSIO) to lead the strategy, direction, and execution of its community-focused initiatives. This individual will be responsible for expanding and nurturing a vibrant community of corporate and non-profit partners, community constituents, WNBA players and coaches, and engaging the company’s diverse and growing fan base.  

The CSIO will be responsible for leading Storm community engagement strategies, fostering meaningful connections between the organization, community beneficiaries, Storm Corporate Partners, and the Storm Foundation. This role will drive initiatives that align with the team’s values, promoting equity and social impact through partnerships, events, and outreach programs. 

This position reports directly to the CEO and will work closely with the Chief Commercial Officer, who oversees Corporate Partnerships, as well as with other senior leadership members. This role will lead the Community and Social Impact team.   

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of leading robust community programs, have exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents to drive engagement, programming, and business growth.  

The mission of the Storm’s community work: “We seek to level the playing field for girls, women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations both on and off the court. We share our love of basketball with the youth in our community and invest directly in local organizations that are aligned with our social justice player-advised campaign.” 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  

• Community Strategy: Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive community strategy that aligns with the company’s values, mission, and objectives. 
• Engagement: Foster a sense of belonging and engagement within the community through regular interactions, programs, events, and initiatives. Deepen the Storm legacy and authentic connections in the Seattle community.  
• Collaboration: Partner closely with internal departments with a priority focus on the Corporate Partnerships team and the Company’s non-profit Foundation to create and execute joint initiatives that enhance community engagement, drive business objectives, and enable its defined scope of non-profit work. 
• Enable Revenue Retention and Growth: In collaboration with the Corporate Partnership team, the CSIO will lead internal teams to execute contracted programs, and events that deliver exceptional results and value to the Company’s Corporate Partners. In addition, the CSIO will continue to strategically expand community programs that align with all stakeholders' values and objectives.  
• Storytelling and Content Creation: In collaboration with the CMO, oversee the creation of engaging and relevant content that tells the story of our community work for internal and external stakeholders including media, newsletters, impact reports, blogs, social media posts, and forums. 
• Events and Programs: Oversee the execution of an extensive year-round calendar of diverse community events and programs, both online and offline, to foster connections, strengthen relationships, fulfill the Company’s contractual obligations with its various partners, and maximize the value of Company brand and assets.  
• Advocacy: Identify and nurture community advocates who can help promote the Company’s brand and values. 
• Leadership: Contribute to a high performing leadership team. Build and lead the Community Impact team, actively working to create a team environment in alignment with the Storm’s company culture and objectives.  
• Feedback Loop: Act as the primary liaison between the community and the company, gathering feedback and insights to inform program development and improve business results. Develop and refine feedback mechanisms to inform strategy and execution.  
• Metrics & Reporting: Track and analyze metrics to measure success and identify areas for improvement. Evaluate and report on program effectiveness, making data-driven adjustments as necessary to enhance the impact of community initiatives. 
• Budget & Resource Management: Develop and manage the budget for the Community Impact department, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.  
• Fundraising: In alignment with existing or new Storm programs, fundraising efforts on behalf of the organization to the benefit of non-profits, the Storm Foundation, or other groups to maximize giving.  

Education: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Community Relations, Social Impact, Business Administration, or Sports Management is recommended. 
• A Master’s degree or relevant advanced training / education is a plus. 

Related experience: 

• Recommend 15+ years of experience in community engagement, corporate partnership and development, constituency management, not-for-profit leadership, preferably in underrepresented communities. 
• Proven experience working with professional sports organizations, athletes, or similar high-profile brands is strongly preferred. 
• Experience in managing diverse teams, including senior leadership and seasonal staff, in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment. 
• Strong understanding of corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and fundraising strategies to support community-focused initiatives. 
• Experience with charitable foundations, including deep understanding of associated financial regulations.  

Competencies, Skills & Abilities: 

• A deep understanding of the power of sports to drive social change, with a commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Passionate about making a positive social impact, particularly in youth development, social justice, and community empowerment. 
• A collaborative and adaptive leader who thrives in a team-oriented environment, working effectively across departments and with a variety of stakeholders. 
• A results-driven professional with a strong ability to measure impact and continuously improve community outreach and engagement strategies. 
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to drive vision, alignment, and results across multiple community initiatives. 
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and manage a team to achieve ambitious goals. Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and corporate partners. 
• Expertise in social justice, youth development, or similar community-centric areas, with a deep understanding of Seattle’s local community needs. 
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, from community members to corporate partners to media. 
• Proficiency in using the Microsoft suite, community management tools and platforms. 
• Proven ability to secure funding and build sustainable community programs through partnerships, grants, and sponsorships. 

Physical Demands:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 50 of pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods of time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; balance; bend and reach with hands and arms; use feet to operate foot pedal operation; and talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb ladders, sit, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  

Work Environment:  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often exposed to large crowds and unpredictable public circumstances. The office environment is open and quiet. The noise level in the public work environment can be loud. 

ABOUT THE WNBA SEATTLE STORM ORGANIZATION: 

Force 10 Hoops, LLC (Seattle Storm) is a storied franchise in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), proudly boasting four WNBA Championships to its name. Our rich history and commitment to excellence have made us a force to be reckoned with in women's professional basketball. The Seattle Storm stands as a symbol of dedication, determination, and empowerment, both on and off the court. In 2024 we opened our new Center for Basketball Performance which houses our team, front office, and basketball operations staff.