The Community Relations Coordinator & Mascot for the Iowa Wild Hockey Club, AHL Affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild will assist the Director, Marketing, Community Programs and Events with overall brand development and strategy. This role will manage all community relations programming executed by the Iowa Wild and will be responsible for overseeing the team’s mascot program, including booking appearances, performing at games and suit maintenance. The Community Relations Coordinator & Mascot will also focus on fulfilling donation requests sent to the organization and will assist in booking brand activation events during the season.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Oversee Iowa Wild community activation, including educational and fan engagement programming.
• Manage Iowa Wild mascot program including booking appearances and maintaining the cleanliness/quality of the costume.
• Perform as Crash at all community events, sponsor activations, ticket related initiatives and Iowa Wild games.
• Fulfill and track all donation requests submitted to the organization.
• Manage internal staff volunteer program, “Heart of the Wild”.
• Assist the Marketing Manager, Promotions and Events in booking brand activation events throughout the season and offseason.
• Represent Iowa Wild professionally and positively in all appearances and interactions with corporate partners, patrons, vendors and fans.
• Professionally interact with internal contacts, corporate partners, the community and fans promoting the team, and fostering an environment of fun, goodwill and support.
• Coordinate with marketing staff to understand current initiatives and objectives in order to identify opportunities to further such initiatives and objectives through the use of the Crash character.
• Crash’s Schedule:
  • Decide which appearances meet the mission of the organization and maximize revenue
  • Maximize crash’s appearances by effectively managing schedule
  • Use good judgment and make appropriate decisions regarding crash’s appearances and schedule
  • Respond to email and calls for requests in a timely manner form both internal departments and external contacts.
• Develop and maintain a positive and creative social media image as Crash that is consistent with current marketing and brand goals and initiatives to engage fans through Crash’s Twitter and Instagram account.
• Costume Design:
  • Design costumes and props that represent the Wild brand and enhance Crash’s reputation at games and appearances.
  • Network and maintain relationships with vendors for purchasing new costumes and maintaining existing costumes.
  • Manage regular costume and prop maintenance and cleaning including sewing, laundry, etc.
• Design Choreography for Crash.
• Stay up to date on the latest trends i.e. viral videos, dances, music through research and networking with other team’s mascots.
• Attend and participate in applicable game operations and event planning meetings.
• Manage and maintain the vehicle used for traveling to events and appearances.
• Support other Wild marketing initiatives and events as directed by Director, Marketing, Community Programs & Events.
• Must have valid driver’s license with clean driving record to travel to all external events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements
Formal Education & Certification

• 4-year college degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Event Management, or Public Relations required.

Knowledge & Experience

• Previous mascot experience is required, 2+ years preferred.
• Previous experience in a community relations role or a programming role preferred.
• Ability to skate is preferred.
• Dance or performance experience preferred.
• Submission of your performance portfolio is required in your application.
• Experience in non-verbal performance and communication.
• Ideal height for the correct costume fit is between 5’8 and 6’0.
• Must be able to work all Iowa Wild home games and special events.
• Computer and program skills include, Microsoft Office, Adobe Suites.

Personal Attributes

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exhibits an outgoing and friendly personality.
• Candidates must be innovative, self-starters, highly creative workers with good follow-up skills and energetic.
• Ability to multi-task, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and work under tight deadlines a must.

Work Conditions

• Ability to work traditional business hours in addition to nights, weekends, and holidays as needed for games and events.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to transport materials for events.
• Must be able to ice skate, or willing to learn.
• Physical requirements include sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, lifting, grasping, etc.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs frequently and 40 lbs occasionally.
• Must be able to wear mascot costume (approximately 15-20 lbs) for at least 3 hours (including breaks).
• Our company is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application process or perform the essential functions of the job, please contact the People Team to request an accommodation. We will engage in an interactive process to assess your needs and provide appropriate accommodations to enable you to perform the essential functions of the position unless it would cause an undue hardship.
• We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. We value diversity and inclusion in our workplace and promote a work environment that respects and supports individuals without bias.

Experience

• 3