Mentor A Promise
Product Lead / Toy Program Manager (Staff or Senior Volunteer)
Mentor A Promise, New York, New York, us, 10261
Product Lead / Toy Program Manager (Staff or Senior Volunteer)
2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Organization
Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division
Creative Products, Education and PromisePlay
Location
Remote via Google Meet and/or New York City (as needed)
Type
Senior Volunteer (Unpaid)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social‑emotional learning, creative expression, and storytelling, MAP designs programs and products that honor dignity, imagination, and learning.
MAP’s toy and product initiatives extend our stories beyond the page—transforming characters, worlds, and values into tangible tools for play, comfort, and growth.
Purpose of the Role
The
Product Lead / Toy Program Manager
oversees the vision, development, and coordination of MAP’s toy and physical product initiatives. This role bridges storytelling, education, design, and production—ensuring that toys and products are safe, meaningful, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with MAP’s mission. The Product Lead manages the full lifecycle of toy concepts, from idea to prototype to production readiness, while coordinating cross‑functional teams and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the strategy and roadmap for MAP’s toy and physical product initiatives
Translate stories, characters, and educational goals into toy concepts
Manage product timelines, milestones, and deliverables
Collaborate with writers, illustrators, educators, and SEL specialists
Coordinate with designers, manufacturers, and vendors as needed
Ensure toys align with developmental, safety, and educational standards
Support prototyping, testing, and iteration processes
Maintain documentation, spec sheets, and product requirements
Support budgeting, sourcing, and cost‑awareness in collaboration with leadership
Ensure products reflect trauma‑informed, culturally responsive design
Participate in planning meetings, reviews, and feedback cycles
Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours
Qualifications
Experience in product management, toy development, consumer products, or program management
Strong ability to manage timelines, stakeholders, and creative workflows
Understanding of child development, play‑based learning, or educational products
Ability to translate abstract ideas into concrete product requirements
Strong communication, organization, and decision‑making skills
Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and mission‑driven product design
Bonus (Not Required)
Experience working with toy manufacturers or product vendors
Familiarity with safety standards for children’s products
Experience with prototyping, materials selection, or manufacturing processes
Background in education, SEL, or children’s publishing
Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)
Commitment
5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6‑month commitment preferred
Remote collaboration with optional NYC‑based participation
What You’ll Gain
Leadership experience in mission‑driven product development
Portfolio‑relevant toy and product management work
Collaboration with creative, education, and operations teams
Professional references and letters of recommendation
The opportunity to help transform stories into tools for play, learning, and comfort
How to Apply
Resume via Idealist
Short written summary (2–4 paragraphs) describing your product or toy development experience, approach to mission‑driven design, and availability
Email materials to:
hr@mentorapromise.org
Subject Line: Product Lead / Toy Program Manager – Mentor A Promise
Or apply directly here: https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8
Build with care. Turn stories into objects that children can hold, play with, and grow alongside.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Organization
Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division
Creative Products, Education and PromisePlay
Location
Remote via Google Meet and/or New York City (as needed)
Type
Senior Volunteer (Unpaid)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social‑emotional learning, creative expression, and storytelling, MAP designs programs and products that honor dignity, imagination, and learning.
MAP’s toy and product initiatives extend our stories beyond the page—transforming characters, worlds, and values into tangible tools for play, comfort, and growth.
Purpose of the Role
The
Product Lead / Toy Program Manager
oversees the vision, development, and coordination of MAP’s toy and physical product initiatives. This role bridges storytelling, education, design, and production—ensuring that toys and products are safe, meaningful, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with MAP’s mission. The Product Lead manages the full lifecycle of toy concepts, from idea to prototype to production readiness, while coordinating cross‑functional teams and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the strategy and roadmap for MAP’s toy and physical product initiatives
Translate stories, characters, and educational goals into toy concepts
Manage product timelines, milestones, and deliverables
Collaborate with writers, illustrators, educators, and SEL specialists
Coordinate with designers, manufacturers, and vendors as needed
Ensure toys align with developmental, safety, and educational standards
Support prototyping, testing, and iteration processes
Maintain documentation, spec sheets, and product requirements
Support budgeting, sourcing, and cost‑awareness in collaboration with leadership
Ensure products reflect trauma‑informed, culturally responsive design
Participate in planning meetings, reviews, and feedback cycles
Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours
Qualifications
Experience in product management, toy development, consumer products, or program management
Strong ability to manage timelines, stakeholders, and creative workflows
Understanding of child development, play‑based learning, or educational products
Ability to translate abstract ideas into concrete product requirements
Strong communication, organization, and decision‑making skills
Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and mission‑driven product design
Bonus (Not Required)
Experience working with toy manufacturers or product vendors
Familiarity with safety standards for children’s products
Experience with prototyping, materials selection, or manufacturing processes
Background in education, SEL, or children’s publishing
Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)
Commitment
5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6‑month commitment preferred
Remote collaboration with optional NYC‑based participation
What You’ll Gain
Leadership experience in mission‑driven product development
Portfolio‑relevant toy and product management work
Collaboration with creative, education, and operations teams
Professional references and letters of recommendation
The opportunity to help transform stories into tools for play, learning, and comfort
How to Apply
Resume via Idealist
Short written summary (2–4 paragraphs) describing your product or toy development experience, approach to mission‑driven design, and availability
Email materials to:
hr@mentorapromise.org
Subject Line: Product Lead / Toy Program Manager – Mentor A Promise
Or apply directly here: https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8
Build with care. Turn stories into objects that children can hold, play with, and grow alongside.
#J-18808-Ljbffr