Group Account Director (Gaming Client)

CLIENT SERVICES / Responsible for leading Octagon’s client business and day-to-day management for global client partnerships & programs.

***Our headquarters is in Stamford, CT, but the location of this position can be flexible with a priority given to candidates open to hybrid work (3 days week in office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL,  or Atlanta, GA.”

Octagon is searching for a Group Account Director to join our team as a leader and playmaker at the intersection of sports, entertainment and experiential marketing. In this role, you will work closely with the Vice President of Client Services to help oversee the management, development and activation of our Gaming Client’s NBA/WNBA sponsorship initiatives and select Brand Partnership opportunities.

A strong focus will be placed on strategic program development, team and client leadership, integrated planning across internal/external channels, presentation development/delivery, and advancing workstreams with clients, properties, and internal teammates across the agency.

The position is best suited for a candidate with a working knowledge of the gaming industry, capable of managing multiple workstreams, possesses polished & persuasive communication skills, and has a strong knowledge of the sports & entertainment sponsorship landscape.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Oversee multiple sponsorship project work-streams from development through execution
• Assist with the development of integrated sponsorship activations, initiatives, and campaigns leveraging the client’s sponsorship portfolio and assets to their fullest potential
• Act as lead on the development & delivery of key documents to include senior executive presentations, strategic recommendations, competitive reports, best practice guides, and case studies
• Manage and develop junior team members; be a team leader cultivating an inclusive environment for all team members
• Build and cultivate positive client relationships
• Lead day-to-day management for the client's business
• Become an authority on our client's business and their competitive set
• Help identify, analyze, navigate, and negotiate sponsorship marketing opportunities for clients
• Collaborate with agency team on sponsorship activation and campaign content creation (e.g., strategy, experiential, creative, digital)
• Other related duties, as reasonably assigned
• Domestic travel to support client’s programming; includes non-traditional hours, nights, and weekends

THE BIGGER TEAM YOU’LL JOIN

Recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Sports”, Octagon is the global sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing arm of the Interpublic Group.

We take pride in being Playmakers – finding insightful, bold ways to create play in our work, our lives, and in the world. We believe in the power of play to create big ideas and unlock potential for our clients and talent.

We can put ourselves in the shoes of fans because we ARE fans – of sports, entertainment, and culture at large. This expertise allows us to continually evolve the fan experience across sports and entertainment alongside some of the biggest brands and talent in the world.

The world needs play more than ever. Are you a Playmaker?

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• 8-10 years of work with an agency, brand, or property on the development of integrated brand campaigns, specifically within global sports and/or entertainment
• A passion for and expertise in gaming and esports and knowledge about the gaming industry including it’s major publishers, culture, players, leagues and ecosystems.
• Direct experience working with the NBA and WNBA, paired with a familiarity, affinity and deep understanding for basketball culture
• Proven experience managing Talent/Influencers on-site and overseeing contractual deliverables in support of sponsorship programming
• Superior verbal and written communicator able to scale and adapt communications for a variety of audiences to optimally and succinctly articulate agency positioning and expertise
• A strategic, collaborative approach to solving problems with ideas – build relationships and influence a range of teams.
• Track record of success at cultivating positive agency, client and property relationships
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Strategic problem solver - can see the possible impacts of a decision on many projects
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed.
• A highly driven and motivated individual
• Exceptional communicator and strong PowerPoint skills to deliver creative, clear documents to senior stakeholders
• A commitment to developing talent underneath and around you
• Strong attention to detail 

The base range for this position is $90,000 - 118,000. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure, and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications 

Octagon’s comprehensive benefits packages include:

• Unlimited PTO policy – we understand you need time for play!
• Competitive medical/dental/vision insurance plans with FSA/HSA and Dependent Care FSA options. Pet Insurance for those who need it too!
• Generous Family and Parental Leave Policy (12 weeks) with eligibility extended to all parents regardless of gender or primary/secondary caregiver status 
• Access to our parent company (IPG) Savings plan (401K program) with company match as well as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Pretax Transportation/Commuter Benefits and Parent Travel Program
• Dedicated Mental Health resources including Headspace membership, Employee Assistance Program (CCA), and more
• Discount portal for everyday goods and services
• Employee Resource Groups and Inclusive Diversity Programming and initiatives - Personal Development programs 

Octagon is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law