Former NBA exec Eric Hutcherson is joining Universal Music Group in the newly created role of EVP and Chief People and Inclusion Officer.

Hutcherson will serve on UMG’s Executive Management Board and report directly to UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge. He will work closely with UMG’s senior management team to align UMG’s talent functions; globally amplify the company’s entrepreneurial-based culture; accelerate diversity and inclusion across all levels and territories; attract, retain and develop talent; accelerate the company’s social justice initiatives and build on the company’s track-record of driving innovation by recruiting employees who bring new ideas, perspectives and skillsets.

“This new position is a reflection of the fact that, in music, you can’t rest on your past success,” Grainge said. “You need to improve and grow, and you need to continually become more diverse and inclusive. Eric understands that, and over his career he has built a track record to prove it.”

At the NBA, where he worked for six years as EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, he managed a team that drove the NBA’s global workforce strategy. He focused on people, culture and innovation, and was responsible for leading global projects, processes and analytics that addressed business needs.

Prior to joining the NBA, he worked Marsh, a leading global insurance brokerage firm, and Mercer, a financial services and human resource consulting firm. He was once Assistant Director of Public Relations for the Boston Celtics.

Hutcherson is also a motivational speaker and created a career development training program, “Say Yes to Success.”

Hutcherson said, “Lucian has created a world-class organization that empowers employees to think for themselves, to be creative and break new ground, to take calculated risks, and to value competition and entrepreneurialism. It’s a culture that fundamentally understands that success requires true diversity and real inclusion and continuous improvement.”

Ironically, with oversight of HR, Hutcherson will be obliged to police intramural jokes about "ballhandling."