Event and Promotion Assistant Intern in Windsor, Connecticut at Hartford Athletic

Mission

Hartford Athletic is Connecticut’s soccer franchise, with Men’s Professional and Women’s Pre-Professional teams competing in the United Soccer League. The Club is committed to growing the game by making our community the best place to live, work, and play.

Overview

The Event and Promotions Assistant Intern supports Hartford Athletic’s mascot program, home matches, and community appearances. Working directly with our mascot, Dillon, along with internal departments and occasionally external clients and players, interns will experience everything it takes to operate our mascot program and will help the Club continue to build positive community outreach. Responsibilities rotate across home matches, community appearances, the team office, the stadium, and remote office hours. This position reports to the Event and Promotions Supervisor.

Responsibilities

· Attend Men’s and Women’s First Team home matches, including friendly, preseason, regular season, tournament, and playoff matches, as well as STEM and Camp Days.

· Energize the crowd and lead the halftime t-shirt toss.

· Serve as a mascot handler for Dillon at home matches and appearances, communicating with and on behalf of Dillon in a non-verbal environment.

· Provide crowd control for on-field post-match activations.

· Staff community appearances, including watch parties, partner locations, stadium appearances, season ticket member events, sports tournaments, schools, professional and college sporting events, birthday parties, and occasional player appearances.

· Load, unload, set up, and break down at home matches and community appearances.

· Speak with guests at tabling and soccer activity locations to promote upcoming matches, players, team events, the Youth Academy, and stadium events.

· Capture photo and video content of Dillon at matches, appearances, and, as needed, in-person office hours. According to Club guidelines, submit your two best pieces of mascot social media content for each concept.

· Brainstorm and follow through on ideas for mascot social media posts.

· Sign, inventory, and maintain mascot collateral; assist with load out and in; transport the mascot and other supplies; restock and assist with inventory; complete regular and monthly mascot upkeep.

· Receive promotional materials, help plan their distribution, distribute them, and track and report distribution data.

· Keep availability current in the scheduling system and respond to schedule, email, and text updates by the stated deadline.

· Submit company-approved parking and mileage reimbursements in a timely manner.

· Connect with on-site contacts at appearances to confirm event logistics, as needed.

· Take the lead on tasks that help streamline event and appearance operations, and support special projects as needed.

· Contribute to mascot social media posts, as needed.

· Assist other departments as needed and check out with the Event and Promotions Supervisor before leaving each shift

Desired Qualifications

· Knowledge of and interest in the sports industry.

· Strong customer service skills and comfort interacting with fans of all ages.

· Strong communication skills, including communicating early and often about availability, questions, and comfort level with assigned tasks.

· Ability to work well as part of a team.

· Initiative to take the lead on tasks and suggest ways to improve operations.

· Positive attitude and problem-solving approach.

Requirements

· Current junior, senior, or graduate student seeking academic credit, or an individual willing to serve as a volunteer.

· Availability for the full academic year or full semester for the majority of monthly synchronous opportunities, including home matches, appearances, and in-person responsibilities; scheduling for every available date is not guaranteed. Remote office hours are asynchronous.

· Availability on weekdays and weekends between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.; specific times vary by event because this is an on-call role, and a single event will not span these full hours.

· Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, with the understanding that this behind-the-scenes role provides limited opportunity to watch matches.

· Reliable transportation.

· Comfort working with and representing our mascot in a non-verbal environment.

· Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, including boxes and event equipment.

Learning Opportunities

· Behind-the-scenes experience supporting professional and pre-professional soccer gamedays and live events.

· Hands-on experience running a professional sports mascot program.

· Event logistics experience working with on-site contacts at community and partner appearances.

· Community relations and brand ambassador experience with schools, partners, and community organizations.

· Mascot social media content creation for a professional sports brand.

· Leadership experience streamlining operations and supporting special projects.

Benefits

Interns are eligible for the following:

· Parking and mileage reimbursement for company-approved off-site appearances and marketing outreach.

· Complimentary parking, water, post-match meal, and home match tickets.

· Merchandise discount.

· Brand Ambassador commission.

Junior, senior, and graduate students pursuing a degree in Sports Management, Marketing, Communications, Event Management, Business, or a related field are encouraged to apply, and academic credit may be available through the student’s college or university. Individuals not currently enrolled are welcome to apply as volunteers.

Hartford Athletic is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected characteristi