Experiential Director (Gaming Client)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing 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 a week in the office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL or Atlanta, GA.

Do you enjoy turning ideas into action?

Do you love participating in and delivering fantastic experiences?

If you have knowledge and experience planning and managing tentpole programs/activations across basketball, gaming, and global sponsorships, thriving in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, this opportunity is for you! Our team is searching for an Experiential Director 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? Glad you asked. You’ll be the ‘general contractor’ of sorts organizing communication from multiple stakeholders and turning it into actionable steps. The ultimate goal? Planning and executing a world-class experience for our brand clients and the consumers they are engaging with.

Still with us? Cool. Because this role will be integral in continuing to grow our team of event production experts, while taking on a lead role in a variety of new and exciting projects. We are looking for someone that 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, etc.) taking the lead as experiential or event production expert
• Work on a variety of programs and projects, large and small, with both new and existing client relationships
• Manage 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
• Manage program budgets independently
• Lead and support brainstorms and thought leadership projects
• A moderate amount of domestic event travel will be required throughout the year, including nights and weekends (approximately 1-2 times a month)
• Other administrative duties as assigned

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

• 6-10 years of work experience in event production or experiential marketing
• Expertise in producing and managing events in the sports and entertainment and gaming fields with a strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in driving business forward and adjusting approach based on timelines and project demands
• Ability to take a leadership role, while working well within a team-centric environment
• Exceptional communicator both in persuasive and concise speech and written documents/ communication
• Proactive, solution-oriented thinker and doer
• Manage multiple cross‑functional priorities concurrently, maintaining accountability and timelines across teams.
• Provide strong internal operational leadership, overseeing expense management, documentation, and planning to ensure efficient program execution.
• Must be highly organized and detail-oriented.
• 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 (20-40%).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially PowerPoint and Word
• 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 $70,000 – 85,000. 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 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.