Celebrity Engagement Manager

Background

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK

IRC UK was established in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with policymakers on behalf of the people we serve. Since its establishment IRC UK has grown rapidly and now comprises approximately 180 staff.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

The Purpose of the Role

As part of the Entertainment Relations and Marketing & Mobilization Team (M&M) and the UK Communications Team, the primary responsibility for this position is to strategically use existing ambassadors and expand the talent roster with relevant artists who are dedicated to helping raise the IRC UK’s profile and brand and influence our target audiences. In alignment with our Strategy100 commitments and the UK strategic plan this post helps to provide talent focused strategies to campaigns, initiatives, and appeals. This position will engage celebrities to help increase awareness, understanding and support for our mission so that we can raise more money and change policies to improve our crisis-affected clients’ lives around the world.

Scope and Authority

• Help create opportunities both internally and externally to use existing talent that advances our brand, advocacy, and fundraising while offering moments of inspiration to our ambassadors.
• Review internal talent requests for appeals and campaigns by assessing benefits and positive impacts on both our internal goals and long-term relationships with artists and handle the initiative with relevant participants.
• Explore new and inventive ways to build impactful moments to use ambassadors in unique ways and elevate the thought leadership of the ambassador programme.
• Research and assess value from celebrities currently showing support by reposting IRC’s content via social media.
• To be proactive in monitoring current events and trends involving celebrities, particularly tracking which celebrities are speaking out about IRC key issues and establishing contact when appropriate.
• Work with Director to build an expansion strategy by researching UK international talent who have potential to offer rich engagement to the UK office and global offices who are good fits for the IRC and reflect who we are and what we do.
• To pitch relevant projects or campaigns to celebrities and their agents, to secure their support and, in so doing, help promote IRC’s work through their association.
• To be responsible for nurturing relationships with IRC’s celebrity contacts, managing ongoing communications so that they are well informed, engaged and passionate about IRC’s work.
• To be responsible for reputation management as regards to celebrity supporters, conducting risk assessments and making judgements about who we engage with our work and ensuring that our high-profile supporters represent and adhere to IRC values.
• To undertake other duties that may from time to time be necessary, that are compatible with the nature and grade of this post.
• To occasionally travel to meetings, which may require the need to work unsociable hours e.g. attending evening or weekend meetings or for overnight stays.

Key Working Relationships

Ability to work effectively and creatively with a diverse array of external and internal collaborators in a way that represents the best of the IRC. These include IRC Fundraising, Policy & Advocacy, Digital and Media teams, as well as Celebrity Talent Agencies.

Strong social skills, with emphasis on creating “situation where everyone is happy” outcomes. Ability to thrive in an active environment, be flexible, work well with colleagues and help mentor junior staff are highly valued.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience of working directly with celebrities and their agents/staff, including a successful track record of pitching project ideas to agents and securing celebrity support.
• Demonstrable experience of working strategically, identifying opportunities for celebrities to support organisation-wide marketing strategies.
• Significant experience of planning and managing events such as photocalls and filming opportunities.
• Knowledge and experience of using social media channels as part of celebrity engagement and PR campaigns.

Skills

• A consummate networker with established contacts within the media industry and talent agencies.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, and the ability to interact with a diverse range of people. In this post this would include celebrities, agents and journalists.
• Excellent relationship management skills with the proven ability to motivate celebrities and colleagues.
• Exceptional judgement and analytical skills and experience of applying these in a fast-moving environment.
• Proven ability to take responsibility for tasks and act on own initiative particularly to solve problems and find solutions.
• Well-developed prioritising skills, and the ability to work to tight media and internal deadlines.
• Good IT skills and experience of using Office programmes, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.