Celebrity Relationship Manager

This is a Full Time Job

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps is developing a celebrity engagement program to raise our profile and boost fundraising efforts, primarily in the US and UK. This program aims to build donor loyalty, attract new donors, increase unrestricted donations, and build an understanding of Mercy Corps’ unique work and brand. The celebrity engagement program will reside in the agency’s Resource Development department, which is responsible for private fundraising, marketing and communications.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Celebrity Relationship Manager (CRM) implements Mercy Corps’ celebrity engagement strategy to raise the agency’s profile and boost fundraising efforts. This work will include developing and nurturing a small group of celebrity “ambassadors” who are engaged on specific campaigns or issues, coordinating celebrity participation in a diverse Board of Advisors, and ultimately overseeing celebrity involvement in corporate cause marketing relationships. The CRM will work across RD teams – including communications, internet marketing, marketing, and major and mid-level gifts – to most productively leverage celebrity relationships. The CRM will report to the Seattle, WA-based director of communications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Review, augment and modify Mercy Corps’ celebrity engagement strategy and list of potential celebrity ambassadors and advisors, as needed.
• Work closely with Mercy Corps fundraising, marketing and communications teams to determine how the celebrity engagement program could be employed to build awareness and loyalty with a range of audiences.
• Coordinate closely with program operations staff and technical experts to determine causes, campaigns or geographies that would most benefit from celebrity engagement.
• Conduct outreach to potential celebrity ambassadors and advisors, work with celebrities to determine alignment of their interests with Mercy Corps programs, and nurture relationships with celebrities, publicists, agents (ongoing). The CRM will have the support of Mercy Corps’ CEO, board chair, and other senior executives in this process.
• Educate celebrity ambassadors and advisors on specific issues and campaigns, as well as Mercy Corps’ broader vision, approach and programs around the world. This will entail travel with celebrities to countries where Mercy Corps works.
• Work closely with all RD teams to conceptualize and implement events, press opportunities, cause marketing campaigns, and online, direct mail and video content that leverage celebrity relationships.
• Develop a work plan, and determine milestones and success metrics for each Mercy Corps relationship with a celebrity. Monitor and evaluate these relationships as they progress.
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Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Communications Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Chief Development and Communications Officer, VP of Development, Director of Marketing, Director of Internet Marketing, Director of Multimedia Projects. Works with executives, Board members, Program Operations and Technical Service Unit teams as needed.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• BA/S or equivalent in communications, marketing or a relevant field.
• At least five years professional experience working as part of a celebrity engagement, fundraising, marketing or communications team.
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience in the entertainment world and the nonprofit sector.
• Record of success as a program manager capable of building strong internal and external relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to transition with ease in communicating with diverse audiences including executives, celebrities, publicists, donors, etc.
• Strong interest in international development and humanitarian work; experience in this field a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel periodically to developing countries.

SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Celebrity Relationship Manager (CRM) is a skilled communicator, an excellent project manager and a fearless go-getter. S/he is able to understand and operate in both the entertainment and nonprofit worlds and is equally at ease talking to a perplexed publicist, an earnest aid worker or struggling fundraiser. S/he must to be able to build a celebrity engagement program from the bottom up, bringing enthusiasm to daily tasks but sustaining energy to implement a long-term strategy, as well as gauging and demonstrating progress along the way, and shifting strategies and tactics as needed. S/he must be willing to do the “dirty work” of research or administrative tasks, but cannot be daunted by meetings with high-level executives or famous celebrities. Even temperament, flexibility and a good sense of humor are appreciated.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in the US, but the city is TBD. If not based in Los Angeles, CA or Portland, OR (Mercy Corps headquarters), the CRM will be expected to periodically travel to those locations. The position includes occasional travel to Mercy Corps’ programs in developing countries.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.