Marketing Assistant, Live Mascot Program
Indianapolis, IN (On-site)
Posted 2 months ago
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Job Description
Position Overview
The Marketing Assistant for the Butler Blue Live Mascot Program supports marketing, social media, and engagement efforts for Butler Blue, a highly visible and beloved University brand asset central to student recruitment, athletics representation, alumni engagement, and community outreach. This position serves in a structured, developmental role designed to prepare the individual to eventually assume leadership of the Butler Blue Live Mascot Program, including primary handling responsibilities for the next mascot transition, while supporting revenue-generating initiatives, appearances, and strategic partnerships.
Responsibilities
- Serve in a structured, in-training role with the clear expectation of assuming future leadership of the Butler Blue Live Mascot Program, including housing, daily care, and primary handling responsibilities of the next live mascot. Work under the guidance of the Associate Director of Digital Content Strategy while gradually taking on increased responsibility for strategy, operations, and external relations as part of a planned transition.
- Execute and support Butler Blue social media efforts in collaboration with Associate Director of Digital Content Strategy, contributing to growth in engagement, views, and followers.
- Support media relations efforts by assisting with outreach, content preparation, and relationship management with local and national outlets. Participate in earned media initiatives and help monitor and respond to media opportunities under direction.
- Assist in developing and supporting mascot program revenue streams through appearances, sponsorships, licensing, merchandise sales, and charitable gifts. Support new and ongoing relationships with donors, sponsors, and vendors while ensuring all partnerships and activities align and support Butler University brand standards.
- Coordinate on- and off-campus mascot appearances in collaboration with University Marketing and campus partners, including Athletics and Admission. Serve as a visible brand ambassador while prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of the live mascot.
- Support the creation of various digital, web, video, and print assets in partnership with the University Marketing creative team. Assist with writing, editing, project management, and quality control to ensure brand consistency.
- Support relationships with community organizations, alumni, donors, and key campus stakeholders. Align and integrate the live mascot program with University priorities, including student recruitment, development, alumni engagement, and cross-campus initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- 1–3 years of internship or professional experience in public relations, marketing, communications, community relations, or related fields.
- Experience handling and caring for dogs, including comfort working closely with a live animal in public settings.
- Demonstrated experience in social media strategy, content creation, and platform management, with experience driving audience growth and engagement.
- Strong willingness and ability to work frequent evenings and weekends and travel, including supporting on- and off-campus appearances, athletics events, and University functions.
- Demonstrated ability to confidently represent the University in high-visibility settings, including on-camera appearances, public speaking opportunities, and live audience engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet multiple deadlines and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
- Excellent organizational, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Experience capturing and editing photo/video content for social media, including short-form video.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience supporting a mascot program, animal ambassador program, or other live-animal public engagement role.
- Experience working in higher education marketing, collegiate athletics, or student recruitment environments.
- Experience with event planning, event execution, or appearance coordination.
- Experience working with sponsors, donors, licensing, or merchandise programs.
Working knowledge of Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite for creating and editing digital content.
BU Benefits and Perks
Please check out Butler’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our benefit offerings, which include:
- Paid Time Off and Holidays:
- 20 days of paid time off (vacation and PTO days) per Fiscal year
- 8 Paid Holidays
- In addition, a paid Winter Break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
- Paid Parental Leave (after 1 year of full-time employment)
- Health:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans including disability and life insurance programs
- Retirement:
- 10% employer contribution after 1 year of full-time employment
- Tuition Assistance:
- Remission of tuition for classes taken at Butler for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
- Eligibility after 9 months of full-time employment
- Employees & spouses- undergraduate/graduate degrees
- Dependents (under age 26)- undergraduate degree
- Covers tuition only
- Tuition Exchange Program for Dependents at participating institutions
- Butler Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks:
- Access to Butler’s on-site fitness facility and libraries for full-time staff and faculty
- LinkedIn Learning Courses
- Free premium subscription to the Calm App
- Free subscription to the WSJ, The Economist, and NYT
- Discount at the College Bookstore
- Discount on select Athletic and Arts/Events Center Performances
Butler University is a nationally ranked, premier institution located in Indianapolis, one of the Midwest’s largest and most dynamic cities. Nationally recognized for excellence in First-Year Experiences, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Business, and its Pharmacy and PA programs, Butler boasts an impressive 98 percent placement rate, providing a hands-on, future-focused education across seven colleges, including the newly established Founder’s College. In addition to its national accolades, Butler University is ranked No. 1 in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, a distinction that highlights the University’s continued excellence and leadership in the region. The campus and surrounding Indianapolis community is enriched by Butler’s renowned programs in the arts and athletics. Clowes Memorial Hall—ranked the 60th best-selling theatre venue in the world by ticket sales—hosts hundreds of events annually including performances by the internationally recognized Butler Ballet. In athletics, Butler competes at the NCAA Division I level in the BIG EAST Conference and Pioneer Football League. The Bulldogs’ legacy includes back-to-back NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game appearances in 2010 and 2011, and their home court, Hinkle Fieldhouse, remains one of the nation’s most iconic basketball venues.
