Summary:

The ASPCA is seeking a dynamic and strategic manager for the ASPCA’s Celebrity Engagement program in support of the ASPCA’s mission and strategic goals in public awareness, advocacy, and fundraising.

Reporting to the Director, Media & Communications, the Senior Manager, Celebrity & Talent Relations, is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to cultivate long-term, ambassador-level relationships with high-profile individuals, celebrities, talent, influencers, and their representatives. This role will lead the full lifecycle of celebrity engagement – from strategic planning and outreach to event coordination and retention – ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and maximizing impact across earned, owned, and paid media channels. The Senior Manager will oversee an external celebrity/media agency to expand reach and develop sophisticated partnerships, while serving as the internal hub for cross-functional collaboration across the Communications Department and with Program and Development teams.

The ideal candidate will have strong relationship-building skills, a deep understanding of media and public relations, and proven experience in data-informed strategic engagement, project management, and high-touch event execution.

Where and When You’ll Work

This position is based in New York City, NY at the ASPCA’s 8th Avenue office but does not require full-time onsite work. The role allows for flexibility to work from home to an extent approved by the manager and Department Head. The role involves 10%-15% travel.

What You’ll Get

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future.

The target hiring range for this role is $90,000-$95,000.

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Planning and Management

• In collaboration with the Director of Media & Communications, develop a strategic framework for cultivating ASPCA celebrity ambassadors. This includes identifying key attributes and criteria for celebrity ambassadors

• Design and implement a celebrity partner retention strategy that fosters authentic, value-aligned relationships with celebrities, building long-term partnerships that amplify the ASPCA’s mission

• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for celebrity engagement efforts, working closely with the external celebrity/media agency to ensure alignment and execution.

• Develop personalized outreach strategies, including written ask letters and proposals, to secure celebrity participation in key initiatives

• Develop data-informed engagement plans that reach and resonate with diverse audiences across multiple platforms

• Maintain a comprehensive internal database of talent contacts, engagement history, and partnership status that supports continuity and relationship management.

• Align celebrity engagement efforts with organizational priorities, including fundraising, advocacy, and brand visibility

• Build and manage a structured engagement calendar to support ongoing activations and maximize impact

• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for celebrity engagement efforts, working closely with the external celebrity/media agency to ensure alignment and execution.

• Monitor industry trends and identify opportunities for strategic partnerships

• Negotiate agreements and participation terms with celebrity representatives

• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for celebrity engagement efforts, working closely with the external celebrity/media agency to ensure alignment and execution.

Project and Event Management

• Oversee project planning and execution for celebrity-related initiatives, ensuring clear timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder alignment

• Collaborate with internal teams (Media & Communications, Social Media, Marketing Communications and Development) to maximize celebrity impact

• Plan and coordinate celebrity appearances at fundraising events, media activations, facility tours and campaign initiatives

• Manage logistics, including scheduling, travel arrangements, and on-site support for celebrity events

• Organize and facilitate meetings by creating agendas, capturing notes, and developing actionable next steps to keep projects aligned with timelines and deliverables

• Collaborate with external partners (corporate partners, partner shelters, talent management, etc.) on celebrity projects

• Create and maintain a system to monitor and report project progress, anticipate risks, and implement solutions to keep efforts on track and within scope

• Collaborate with external partners (corporate partners, partner shelters, talent management, etc.) on celebrity projects

External Vendor Management

• Oversee external celebrity/media agency team relationships to develop and execute celebrity outreach and strategy

• Establish clear timelines, deliverables, and communication protocols to keep agency partners and internal stakeholders aligned and accountable

• Facilitate regular check-ins and strategy sessions with the agency and internal stakeholders to monitor progress, troubleshoot challenges, and adapt plans as needed

Qualifications:

• Exceptional communication skills with strong attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partner retention strategies with a focus on long-term partnership that aligns with organizational values and mission

• Experience aligning outreach efforts with organizational priorities such as fundraising, advocacy, and brand visibility

• Proven ability to oversee external partners and agencies, driving alignment between project execution and the organization’s mission, strategy, and timelines

• Demonstrated success building and managing relationships with high-profile individuals and their teams

• Experience coordinating high-touch events and appearances, including logistics, scheduling, and on-site support

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage expectations across multiple internal and external stakeholders

• Demonstrated experience utilizing social media trends, influencer marketing, and audience engagement to help inform campaigns that are aligned with organizational priorities

• Background in development or mission-driven organizations

• Demonstrated project management expertise with strong organizational skills; adept at prioritizing tasks, managing multiple initiatives simultaneously, and delivering results under tight deadlines

• Ability to create dynamic presentations and deliver to a wide range of internal and external audiences

• Collaborate with external partners (corporate partners, partner shelters, talent management, etc.) on celebrity projects

• Willingness and ability to travel for events, conferences, and deployments

• Comfort with basic animal handling and commitment to safety and well-being preferred

• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Airtable)

• Experience conducting reputational risk assessments and background vetting

• Ability to track engagement metrics and analyze campaign performance

• Collaborate with external partners (corporate partners, partner shelters, talent management, etc.) on celebrity projects

Education and Work Experience:

• High School Diploma (required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Entertainment or a related field preferred

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in talent relations, entertainment partnerships, or a similar field.

• Proven experience developing and executing data-informed strategic engagement plans, ideally involving high-profile individuals or celebrity talent

• At least 1 year of experience managing external partnerships and building/sustaining partner retention strategies

• Experience maintaining databases and managing relationship continuity

Language:

English

Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act:
Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the link to learn more.

Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

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Education and Work Experience: