Talent Relations Strategist

WHO WE ARE

The Humane League (THL) is a global nonprofit working to end the abuse of animals raised for food. Recognized as a Top Charity by Animal Charity Evaluators for multiple years running, we are regarded as one of the most effective animal protection organizations in the world. We are a high-impact, mission-driven team that uses our time, talent, and resources strategically to dismantle factory farming and create lasting change for farmed animals worldwide. We set bold goals, embrace continuous improvement, and hold ourselves accountable to the animals who depend on us. As a fully remote organization with 100+ staff across the globe, we collaborate across borders and with partner organizations to build a powerful, united movement for animals.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

As the Talent Relations Strategist, you will set and lead the organization’s strategy for our celebrity, influencer, and high-profile partnership engagement, with the goal of increasing the cultural salience of factory farming as a critical social issue. This role is responsible for defining how The Humane League identifies, prioritizes, and activates influential voices to advance corporate campaign and policy victories, expand our brand awareness and audience reach, and drive systemic change for farmed animals.

You will operate as the functional lead for celebrity relations, integrating this work across Public Relations, Development, Programs, and the broader Engagement team to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and measurable impact against quarterly and long-term objectives. In doing so, you will establish systems, partnerships, and narratives that translate cultural influence into tangible outcomes, including policy change, donor acquisition, and sustained public engagement.

This position requires established, trust-based relationships and deep expertise in the entertainment industry and influencer culture, strong public relations knowledge and strategic judgment, and the ability to translate organizational goals into high-impact external partnerships. You will also contribute to functional planning and budgeting, define success metrics, and guide the evolution of this work as it becomes an increasingly critical lever in advancing our mission. This position reports to the Senior Director of Public Relations.

This is a full-time, remote position, based in the United States, with residence near NYC or LA preferred for strategic networking and relationship-building. We are only able to employ applicants who possess authorization to work in the United States and undertake the performance of this role from within the United States or U.S. Territory for the duration of the role. This position requires domestic travel, equivalent to 3 or more trips per year.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategy and Functional Leadership

Define, own, and lead the organization’s celebrity and influence engagement strategy, ensuring alignment with quarterly objectives and long-term organizational priorities.

Identify, prioritize, and activate high-impact talent partnerships that advance corporate accountability, legislative progress, movement-building, and cultural awareness.

Act as the organizational subject matter expert on celebrity relations, establishing and advising on standards and best practices, risk management protocols, and decision-making frameworks.

Lead functional planning and contribute to budget development, resource allocation, and forecasting for celebrity relations initiatives, evaluating investment and return against organizational priorities.

Partnership Stewardship and Execution

Expand and maintain an existing high-value network of celebrities, digital creators, publicists, agents, and managers aligned with animal welfare and social justice causes.

Lead negotiation and partnership structuring with talent and representatives, ensuring mutually beneficial and mission-aligned collaborations.

Design and execute integrated, high-impact campaigns that leverage celebrity influence to expand reach, shape public discourse, and accelerate campaign and policy outcomes.

Identify and activate timely opportunities within the news cycle and cultural moments to position factory farming within mainstream conversation.

Cross-Functional Integration

Lead cross-functional teams and external partners in the development and execution of celebrity relations initiatives.

Partner across internal teams—including Engagement, Development, and Programs—to seamlessly weave high-profile voices, ambassadors, and talent into core organizational priorities and tentpole initiatives.

Collaborate on high-touch engagement strategies, major donor opportunities, and signature events that leverage talent relationships to expand reach, drive fundraising, and deepen donor connection.

Advise the Senior Leadership Team on high-stakes talent opportunities, reputational risks, and major cultural moments.

Brand and Content Development

Partner with Digital Engagement to ensure evergreen celebrity-driven media is maximally repurposed for reach and impact.

Establish and maintain brand standards for celebrity partnerships to ensure consistency, authenticity, and mission alignment.

Systems, Measurement, and Operations

Direct the strategy, implementation, and long-term optimization tracking celebrity engagement, including maintaining a comprehensive and strategic database of talent and partnerships in related activism or industry fields.

Define success metrics and evaluate performance towards personal and team goals, including media value, audience growth, donor impact, and campaign outcomes.

Continuously assess and refine strategies based on performance data, industry trends, and organizational priorities.

Industry Expertise and Trend Monitoring

Maintain deep knowledge of the changing trends in celebrity, influencer, and media landscapes, as well as their intersection with social impact movements and animal protection.

Monitor shifts in public discourse, entertainment culture, and advocacy spaces to identify and activate timely opportunities within the news cycle and cultural moments to position factory farming within mainstream conversation.

In addition to the above essential job duties, other duties may be assigned as business needs arise. These may include non-essential, marginal job duties.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Significant professional experience of 7-10 years in celebrity relations, public relations, talent management, or influencer marketing—ideally within the non-profit sector or purpose-driven agencies—with demonstrated progression into strategic leadership responsibilities

Proven track record of developing and executing high-impact celebrity or influencer strategies that drive measurable outcomes, such as media coverage, audience growth, fundraising, or policy influence. Deep understanding of entertainment, media, and influencer ecosystems, including how cultural narratives are shaped and amplified.

Established network of industry relationships, including high-profile celebrities, influential content creators, publicists, agents, and managers, with demonstrated ability to build and sustain high-trust partnerships that can make an impact on our campaigns and advocacy.

Demonstrated success in negotiating and managing high-profile partnerships, including navigating reputational risk, competing priorities, and sensitive relationships.

Strong strategic thinking and judgment, with the ability to translate organizational goals into clear priorities and actionable plans. Proven ability to thrive in an autonomous work environment, taking initiative to drive project execution and solve complex challenges independently.

Experience working cross-functionally in complex organizations, with the ability to align diverse stakeholders around shared objectives and deliver integrated outcomes. Experience contributing to planning and resource allocation, including setting goals, defining metrics, and evaluating