JOB TITLE: Mascot Program Specialist (Full-Time)
REPORTING TO: Director, Match Presentation
DEPARTMENT: Marketing
LOCATION: New York, NY
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Mascot Program Specialist will be comprehensively responsible for creation, scope, management, and day-to-day execution of the mascot program for New York City FC. Resting within the marketing department, the Mascot Program Specialist will not only lead the character launch for the club but will also act as the primary performer in the costume, making appearances across the five boroughs and at New York City FC home matches. This role will also craft the social media persona for the character, build and maintain the character’s calendar, and interface with clients for booking and payment collection. Candidates will be responsible for interacting with fans of all ages, enhancing the New York City FC brand in a public-facing capacity, and creating positive, lasting memories for all attendees.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Bring New York City FC’s new mascot character to life, in collaboration with the organization’s creative department, marketing team, match presentation group, and senior club leadership.
- Act as the primary in-costume performer during all New York City FC home matches, operating in coordination with the match presentation game script, and interacting with fans of all ages from gates open through the final whistle.
- Generate revenue for the club by building, managing, and executing a calendar of external appearances made by the character, including but not limited to birthday parties, weddings, corporate events, private events, and more.
- Support New York City FC’s charitable arm—City in the Community—by appearing in costume at pitch openings, youth soccer events, the annual golf cup fundraiser, and more.
- Appear in costume at club marketing events, included but not limited to watch parties and other special occasion events.
- Ingratiate the character into the greater NYC sports scene, engaging with other NY teams/mascots, making appearances at marquee events, and generating positive PR for the club.
- Work interdepartmentally with partnerships marketing to create co-branded, evergreen initiatives featuring the mascot character and partners.
- Cultivate the character’s social media presence—in collaboration with official New York City FC channels—to create unique content for the character. Lead brainstorming session with the digital team to produce bespoke video content.
- Oversee and manage all physical inventory related to the character, including but not limited to costume suits, branded vehicle(s), supporting collateral, giveaway inventory, and more.
- Hire, train, and lead a team of part-time Mascot Assistants, meant to appear alongside the costumed character in public settings.
- Stay up to date on industry-wide trends regarding mascot characters in professional sports, adopting best practices as they relate to fan interaction, performances, music, social media, revenue generation, etc.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING:
- Extensive experience as a costumed performer (background in professional or collegiate sports preferred)
- Commitment to building a full calendar for the character—over and above home matches—through an incentive-based pay structure that favors exposure
- Experience working in a corporate office setting, answering emails, attending meetings, and working interdepartmentally (proficient in Microsoft Office)
- Collaborative attitude when engaging inter-departmentally, able to collate incoming ideas into cohesive action plans
- Ability to positively interface with guests of all backgrounds and navigate high-pressure situations while in the public eye
- Must be outgoing, energetic, quick-thinking, and comfortable on-camera
- Must be courteous, friendly, energetic, reliable, and punctual
- Must possess an extraordinary level of creativity, energy, and spontaneity (in costume, when creating content, and in social media practices)
- Must be able to communicate non-verbally and create spontaneous crowd reaction
- Must have a great sense of humor and love working with people
- Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds
- Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability
- Ability to commute to Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, areas in and around NYC, and occasional trips to the club’s training facility in Orangeburg, NY
- Ability to be on your feet for extended periods of time
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Applicant must be able to comply with MLS NEXT Safety and Well-Being policy and any other applicable child safety policies provided to applicants by NYCFC
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by the MLS schedule
COMPENSATION:
This non-exempt position has an estimated annual base salary of $55,000, is overtime eligible, and has the opportunity to earn commission. Final compensation offer amounts are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to demonstrated skill set, years and depth of relevant experience, and some role-dependent factors such as certifications and software expertise. We welcome direct conversations with each candidate about compensation in all of our initial calls.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you and your family’s needs
- Comprehensive and competitive benefit programs, including maternal & paternal leave
- Ancillary benefits: Commuter, pet insurance, gym membership, and Citi Bike discounts
- Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing through in-office and virtual programs
- Four complimentary tickets to every NYCFC home match
- Team outings, happy hours, and annual staff gatherings to celebrate our co-workers
- A dynamic, ambitious, and fun work environment
NEW YORK CITY FOOTBALL CLUB OVERVIEW:
At New York City FC, we are on a mission to build this city into one of the soccer capitals of the world. The Club was announced as Major League Soccer’s 20th franchise and is the first and only MLS team located within the five boroughs of New York City. The Club has qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs eight times over the past nine seasons, winning MLS Cup in 2021. Games are broadcast through MLS Season Pass, the unprecedented subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer that will have every match of the MLS regular season, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and Leagues Cup all in one place and with no blackouts. New York City FC is building New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium, set to open for the 2027 MLS season. For more information, please visit: www.newyorkcityfc.com.
New York City FC is also one of 13 clubs comprising City Football Group and counts Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama F-Marinos, Girona FC, Montevideo City Torque, Shenzhen Peng City FC, Mumbai City FC, Lommel SK, ESTAC Troyes, Palermo FC, Bahia, and Club Bolívar among its sister clubs.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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