The Club Mascot (Skeeta) is an integral part of the Essendon Football Club's fan engagement and fan development strategy.  Each year, Skeeta appears at around 100 events in Victoria including match days, school visits, charity events, Auskick Clinics and other Essendon community initiatives. Outside of appearances, Skeeta also plays a major role in engaging with our young fans via social media and other digital content.

The successful candidate is a true entertainer and is able to execute a polished and engaging performance to a mass audience, while also being able to interact directly with an individual fan to give him/her a memorable moment that will last a lifetime.  As a result, the ability to think creatively and improvise is critical, as well as a natural ability to build rapport with fans. The successful candidate is enthusiastic about becoming a mascot, with a desire to become the best performer they can be. This candidate has a passion for entertainment and must be able to adapt to performing for a wide range of audiences.

The role is contract based and will contain a mix of public performances and in-office content development.  An hourly fee will apply and will be negotiated with the successful candidate.  Hours per week can vary between 4 and 20 depending on the time of year.  A more detailed schedule will be presented to the successful candidate, but attendance is expected at all Melbourne-based EFC matches (home and away), approximately 50 Auskick sessions between April and September and 2-3 weekly community events throughout the year.

Qualifications

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
  • High level of fitness required
  • In order to fit in the mascot suit, a recommended height between 164 and 177 cm is advised
  • Ability to perform within extreme heat conditions, restrictive outfits and impaired vision
  • Ability to perform on feet in mentioned conditions for at least three hours at a time (with breaks)
  • Must be able to run up and down stairs several times within a game
  • Ability to lift heavy objects (20+ kg) multiple times

Skills and Experience

  • Mascot experience preferred
  • Gymnastics, dance and/or acrobat experience an asset; other skills (stunts, juggling, uni-cycling, tumbling, belaying, stilt-walking, etc.) considered a bonus
  • Ability to excite, motivate and entertain a crowd.  Great sense of humour a must.
  • Must possess extraordinary level of creativity, energy and spontaneity
  • Must be of good moral character and successfully complete all pre-employment screening including proof of a current Working with Children Check.
  • Strong organizational skills, time management skills and attention to detail required
  • Experience with social media and an understanding of brand development
  • Ability to work independently without supervision, be self-directed and demonstrate initiative
  • Ability to establish rapport with others and build strong interpersonal relationships
  • Ability to relate and respond to various personalities and actions

To apply in strict confidence, please send your resume together with a one page covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to recruitment@essendonfc.com.au.

Applications close 5pm, 24 March 2014.

Please note that this role will be subject to background checks.