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.
Maintain regular team communication, resolve questions and dependencies, and step into hands-on work when necessary to keep priorities moving.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone with demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams or complex initiatives at a strategic level, with the ability to guide work across commerce, product design and development, and publishing.
Strong candidates will bring
Significant experience in e-commerce, merchandising, product development, publishing, or a closely related discipline.
Experience leading a team, department, or substantial multidisciplinary initiative.
The ability to coordinate contributors across commerce, product design and development, publishing, and operational work.
Strong strategic thinking and practical judgment about product development, costs, pricing, and execution.
Excellent written, verbal, and organizational communication skills.
Strong judgment, follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Comfort working in a remote, collaborative environment.
The ability and willingness to communicate regularly and respond promptly through email, chat, and other team communication channels.
A leadership style that provides clear direction, accountability, and support without requiring constant oversight.
Experience guiding products or publications from design and development through production and delivery is highly desirable.
Experience in one or more of the following areas is especially valuable
Nonprofit or mission-driven organizations
Education or youth-focused organizations
Publishing workflows and production
Consumer products, merchandising, and e-commerce
Rights, permissions, and intellectual-property records
Product or publication launches
Working with volunteer or distributed teams
Working Relationships
The Director, Commerce, Products & Publishing reports to the Chief Brand, Product & Communications Officer and works closely with the Creative Director and Director of Marketing & Communications.
The role oversees the Senior E-Commerce Manager and, as the planned position is established, the Product, Publishing & IP Manager. The proposed structure also places a planned IP Rights & Records Coordinator under that manager.
The director works with creative and marketing colleagues, brand and project management partners, and relevant MAP leaders to coordinate development, production, and launch requirements.
Time Commitment
Approximately 5–10 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling.
Because this is a leadership position within a distributed volunteer organization, regular communication and dependable responsiveness are essential. Candidates should be able to remain engaged throughout the week and respond promptly to reasonable email, chat, and team communications rather than limiting participation to a single scheduled block of time.
Location
This is a fully remote volunteer position.
How To Apply
Please submit
A current resume
A brief cover letter describing your relevant commerce, product development, or publishing leadership experience and your interest in supporting Mentor A Promise
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the goal of filling the position promptly.
Volunteer Eligibility and Sponsorship
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals residing in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements.
Mentor A Promise does not provide visa or immigration sponsorship for volunteer positions.
We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these requirements.

Work arrangement
Yes