Character

Company Description

Adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the country, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, provides an amazing work environment with refreshing mountain breezes and spectacular views of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. As a member of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort team, you will meet and engage with guests who have arrived to enjoy all the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer and help them experience our world-class amenities such as the state-of-the-art Wild Bear Falls water park. As part of Westgate Resorts, recognized by U.S. News as one of the Best Companies to Work For, you’ll be joining a team committed to excellence and creating unforgettable vacation experiences and supporting your career growth where you are or at 60+ resorts across the company.

Job Description

As a Resort Mascot or Character Performer at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa, you'll play a key role in creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for our Owners, Guests and Team Members. By embodying our property mascot (costume character), you'll engage with families, bring joy to children, and add an extra layer of fun to resort events and daily interactions. You'll help deliver our Service Philosophy to life by providing a quality vacation experience that exceeds expectations, all while maintaining the mascot's character integrity and ensuring safety and positivity in every interaction

Job Responsibilities:

• Wear a mascot costume including head, torso, arms, legs, hands, and feet. Maintain character integrity by staying in character at all times, including non-verbal communication only. (Costume fits individuals between 5'0" and 5'10" tall and costume weighs up to 15 pounds.)
• Greet Guests and Owners warmly in the lobby during daily check-ins and interact with families and children throughout the resort. Be available for photos and ensure a positive guest experience.
• Attend and maintain an active presence at Westgate events, including Welcome Parties, Owner events, and any on-property gatherings.
• Distribute balloons, stickers, food, and drinks to families.
• Visit key resort locations such as the Lobby, Waterpark, Owners’ Club House, Picnic Area, Welcome Booth, swimming pools, and other areas as needed.
• Act as a “mascot handler” when needed to ensure safety and serve as a liaison between guests and the mascot.
• Assist with lobby and sales floor greetings when the mascot is not in use.
• Adhere to department training standards to ensure a seamless and consistent guest experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support resort operations and guest engagement.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience

• One to two years’ experience in guest relations, hospitality, or customer service positions is a plus.
• Previous experience as a mascot, performer, or in an entertainment role is preferred.

Education

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

Skills/Knowledge

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage positively with guests of all ages.
• Enthusiastic and friendly personality with a passion for creating memorable guest experiences.
• Ability to maintain character integrity, including non-verbal communication while in costume.
• Comfortable performing in a mascot costume for extended periods, including in varying weather conditions.
• Excellent time management and reliability, with the ability to follow schedules and event timelines.
• Understanding of safety protocols for mascot performance and guest interactions.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to wet and/or humid conditions; outside weather conditions.

Additional Information

Why Westgate?  

• Comprehensive Health Benefits – Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off – Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time to Recharge
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Generous Company Match to Support Your Future
• Daily Pay – Access Your Earnings When You Need Them
• Family-Focused Benefits – Pregnancy, Parental Leave, and Adoption Assistance
• Wellness Programs to Support Your Well-Being
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Tuition Assistance to Help You Grow Your Career
• Military Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Support When You Need It Most
• Life, Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Insurance
• Pet Insurance for Your Furry Family Members
• Loyalty Program – Exclusive Discounts on Hotels, Cruises, Resorts, Restaurants, Entertainment, and More
• Low-Cost Gym Membership
• NEW! David A. Siegel Legacy Scholarship – Up to $40,000 for Team Members’ Dependents
• Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities
• Community Involvement – Give Back and Make an Impact

Westgate Resorts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other protected status under federal, state or local law. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email WGAccommodations@wgresorts.com with the job title and the location of the position for which you are applying.

This job posting is intended to provide a general overview of the position and may not include every responsibility, duty, or qualification required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.