Working/Functional Title
Director of Sparty Mascot Program
Position Summary
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Sparty Mascot Program Director leads one of Michigan State University’s most recognizable and beloved traditions, Sparty. A symbol of Spartan spirit and pride, Sparty is a nationally acclaimed mascot who makes more than 400 appearances annually at athletic events, university celebrations, community engagements, and private functions.
Housed within the MSU Alumni Office, this role provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of all aspects of the Sparty Mascot Program. The Director ensures the program reflects MSU’s high standards for excellence, visibility, and engagement. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of the MSU Alumni Office.
The Sparty Mascot Program Director will be accountable for the seamless execution of the program while providing exceptional levels of client customer service, maintaining a high level of student engagement, and building relationships with campus and community partners. The Director will also provide supervision, mentorship, and performance oversight to the student squad members who represent Sparty at events throughout the year.
About the MSU Alumni Office
The MSU Alumni Office fosters lifelong connections for more than 550,000 Spartans around the world. Through tradition, storytelling, volunteerism, and events, the office strengthens the Spartan network and cultivates opportunities for alumni to remain engaged with Michigan State University. The Sparty Mascot Program plays a critical role in this work by serving as an iconic link between the university, its alumni, and the broader community.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Volunteer Selection and Management:
- Oversee recruiting and selection process for the mascot program.
- Design and execute onboarding processes, including curriculum design, assessment, delivery methods, and assessment of training effectiveness.
- Conduct performance reviews of student squad.
- Maintain volunteer discipline and intra-squad relationships.
- Plan and manage squad trips for team building, character development, and leadership development.
- Build relationships with university and community partners to help enhance student experience.
Event Management:
- Coordinate the details and scheduling for all Sparty events, balancing the event load with the work and academic commitments of the squad members.
- Assign students to events and roles.
- Anticipate scheduling conflicts, including down time for students and suit maintenance.
- Maintain a scheduling system to provide students with mobile access to event information.
- Book travel arrangements and maintain necessary paperwork for travel and reimbursements.
- Accompany Sparty to out-of-state events or schedule full-time staff escorts for approximately 50 travel days annually, including weekends.
- Escort Sparty to all home football games and provide back-up escorting services for local events.
Program Marketing and Strategy:
- Partner with campus stakeholders and internal marketing and communications teams to define, implement, and evaluate program goals.
- Collaborate with MSU's branding team to strengthen the visibility, consistency, and future direction of the Sparty Mascot Program.
- Maintain historical records and documentation related to the program’s development, milestones, and appearances.
- Support the creation of engaging content and participate in social media initiatives that enhance the Sparty brand across digital platforms.
Administration:
- Provide information to program assistant, students, and volunteers in written form, e-mail, or in person
- Fundraising in efforts to support the program.
- Assist in development of budget and financial reports.
- Purchase and inventory program equipment and supplies.
- Maintain all equipment used in the program, including vehicles and the mascot suit.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
INTERACTS WITH:
- MSU donors, alumni, deans, directors, faculty, academic staff, and support staff - in order to provide services and information to them and serving thereby as a representative of Michigan State University.
- MSU president, provost, vice presidents, executive managers, the board of trustees, and the staff of their respective offices - in order to exchange information regarding events.
- Event contractors and vendors - in order to coordinate and discuss information related to events.
- Colleagues within University Advancement - in order to service the fundraising and advancement mission of the division.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Direction is received from the MSU Alumni Office’s Assistant Vice President.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Will provide first-level supervision over Sparty Squad student members.
IMPACT ON PROGRAMS/SERVICES/OPERATIONS
Judgment and decisions made in the planning and execution of the Sparty Mascot Program may exert impact on the university’s overall image and integrity as perceived by donors, alumni and the university and larger external communities. Errors in such judgment can negatively affect the reputation and future resources of the university, its administrators, and the board of trustees.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Standard office environment. The job requires moderate physical effort, including use of a VDT monitor, moving and lifting of moderately heavy event materials, and sustaining physical activity throughout the duration of an event.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Education, Communications, Public Relations, Advertising or Marketing; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public relations, marketing and/or in planning and coordinating educational and/or other alumni programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience planning large-scale programs involving multiple days, locations, and events.
- Experience in marketing, event promotion, and social media.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a broad range of internal and external constituents including alumni, students, faculty, staff, and other friends of the university.
- Strong collaboration skills. The ability to work independently, solve problems, handle confidential information, and navigate sensitive situations.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and planning skills, as well as superior attention to detail.
- Experience managing program budgets and expenses.
- Outstanding leadership, ability to exercise sound judgment, exhibit resilience under pressure, set priorities, and achieve goals
- Familiarity with higher education, alumni outreach, and engagement.
- May require valid vehicle operator's license where needed to perform duties of the position.
- Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.
- This position requires or will require prior to the completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use email and the Internet.
If you have experience with the responsibilities outlined in this job description, or possess transferable skills, we encourage you to apply!
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
Resume and cover letter
Special Instructions
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Karam, Director of Talent Acquisition, at karampat@msu.edu.
Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled
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Work Hours
8 am - 5 pm with possible evenings and weekends
Website
Advancement.msu.edu
Bidding eligibility ends August 12, 2025 at 11:55 P.M.
