Senior Experiential Director

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for leading, planning, and driving experiential marketing programs

Do you enjoy turning ideas into action and love participating in and delivering fantastic experiences?

If you have knowledge and experience planning events, leading a team, building strong business relationships with vendors, and orchestrating first-class brand activations, this opportunity is for you! Our team is searching for a Senior Experiential Director, focused on event production, who can take a creative idea and bring it to life on-site for brands to own and consumers to enjoy.

But what will I do? Quite simply, you’ll be the ‘general contractor’ organizing communication from multiple collaborators and turning it into actionable steps while leading and directing your own team. The ultimate goal? Planning and executing world-class experiences for our brand clients and the consumers they engage with.

This role will be integral to continuing to grow our team of event production experts while taking on a lead role in various new and exciting projects. We are looking for someone who is eager to try something new, dig in, and work through complexity while having a lot of fun along the way.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Own programs from conception to execution as the lead event planner, producer, and team leader
• Collaborate with a variety of specialty groups within Octagon (creative, client services, digital, design, etc.) taking the lead as experiential or event production expert
• Lead a variety of programs and projects, large and small, with both new and existing client relationships
• Manage of one or more direct reports on a project basis or as a career manager
• Comfortable with hiring, leading, and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and partners
• Host client and inter-agency calls during planning, providing strategy and recommendations while keeping an organized, efficient staffing plan
• Lead on-site staff and partners at events and activations
• Excellent at budgeting and forecasting costs and the “go-to” for leading budget planning
• A moderate amount of domestic event travel will be required throughout the year, including nights and weekends (generally traveling about 10-12 times a year)
• Lead on producing proposal decks and activation/execution guides

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

• 8-11 years of work experience in event production or experiential marketing, ideally with expertise in producing and managing events in the sports and entertainment field
• Proficiency in driving the business forward and adjusting approaches based on timelines and project demands
• Exceptional communicator both in persuasive and concise speech and written documents/ communication
• Proactive, solution-oriented thinker and doer
• Managing and prioritizing multiple projects with varying timelines and needs
• Ability to “zoom in’ to figure out complex logistical problems with team members, then “zoom out” to understand big picture strategy and inform leadership
• Willingness to work non-traditional event hours and travel for work (Anticipated travel: Moderate 30-50%)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially PowerPoint
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for up to or more than 8 hours at a time

The base range for this position is $90,000 – 110,000. 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 package includes:

• 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.