Marketing Assistant, Live Mascot Program

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.