Senior Director of Merchandise & Product Branding (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

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Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division PromiseBrands

Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type Volunteer Senior Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment 6-month Commitment Required Reports To Chief of Brands

About Mentor A Promise Mentor A Promise is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young people experiencing housing instability through mentorship, educational support, and community-based programs. As the organization expands its programs, communications, publishing initiatives, campaigns, and mission-driven products, we are building the leadership and operating structure needed to support that growth.

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is seeking an experienced Director, Commerce, Products & Publishing to lead its e-commerce, product design and development, merchandising, and publishing work in support of MAP’s mission.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for setting priorities, coordinating contributors, and guiding products and publications from development through launch. The director will provide direction while remaining willing to work hands-on when needed.

The successful candidate will bring sound commercial judgment, practical experience, and the ability to organize a volunteer team around clear plans and dependable follow-through.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the Commerce, Products & Publishing function, establishing priorities, plans, workflows, and clear responsibilities.
• Oversee e-commerce and merchandising work with the Senior E-Commerce Manager, including product presentation and the customer purchasing experience, and contribute to pricing decisions.
• Guide product design and development from concept through production and launch, aligning the work with MAP’s mission and organizational priorities.
• Help refine MAP’s established publishing processes as directed and oversee the production, publishing, release, and distribution of books and multimedia products under MAP’s publishing imprint.
• Translate approved initiatives into assignments, development schedules, production requirements, and deliverables that fit available team capacity.
• Evaluate product and publishing proposals for audience fit, costs, pricing, and operational feasibility, and recommend priorities to the Chief Brand, Product & Communications Officer.
• Coordinate production and fulfillment needs, address obstacles, and help ensure products and publications are ready for release.
• Guide the planned Product, Publishing & IP Manager as that role is established. Coordinate checks that rights and permissions are confirmed before release and that intellectual-property records are maintained. Escalate unresolved rights, permissions, or records issues to the Chief Brand, Product & Communications Officer.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director and Director of Marketing & Communications on product design, publication production, launch plans, and promotion.
• Work with relevant MAP leaders and contributors to clarify the purpose, audience, and requirements of each product or publication.
• Monitor sales, customer response, and development progress to identify issues and guide product, publishing, and commerce decisions.
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