THE JOB / Experiential Director (Talent Industry Client)

EVENTS / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing programs.

***Our headquarters are 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, Los Angeles, CA or Atlanta, GA.***

Do you have a passion for developing consumer experiences across various onsite activations? Can you thrive working in a fast-paced environment and figuring out solutions?

Perhaps you view annual industry conferences as a blank canvas to develop unique and engaging interactions among customers, prospects, and hosts but also understand the complexity of balancing sales objectives and crafting fulfilling consumer experiences. This may be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for an Experiential Director to help expand the success of our clients’ annual industry conferences focused on strengthening their B2B relationships. As the Experiential Director you will be the day-to-day account lead for multiple internal clients focusing on on-site programming for their most important customers, as well as leading the planning for key client partners! This includes event planning, coordination of concept development with our creative and account teams, design and development of program, management of staff, and the oversight of on-site planning & activation and program budgets. This person will work closely with our clients from briefing and planning to on-site execution and recapping.

In addition to being the lead on these projects, the Experiential Director will collaborate with the larger conference team and include the management coordinators to oversee client communication and workflow, prioritize account tasks, and work within strict timelines to lead the successful activation of programming.

Our ideal candidate will be highly organized, diligent, and a great communicator, able to manage multiple clients and workstreams simultaneously. We are looking for someone who is highly collaborative, a self-starter and is comfortable taking the lead and voicing their opinions and ideas.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Lead planning and implementation of on-site programming for clients’ top customers, including travel to site visits and on-site execution
• Manage planning and implementation of annual conference for up to 200 attendees for clients’ sales industry focused products & up to 1500 attendees for clients’ talent focused products
• Focus on overall project management, agendas, budget, communication, etc.
• Develop workflow timeline, planning and program execution and measurement
• Create templates of program description and event concepts, additionally creating professional documents, including event briefs & post event recaps for internal client presentations
• Establish and maintain event staffing schedules
• Day to day contact with Manager to ensure needs are being met
• Oversee and implement on-site activities including pre-communication with event organizers, event set-up, engaging the clients on staffing, premium distribution and event breakdown
• Provide oversight, management, leadership and direction to direct reports
• Lead daily communication with client, internal service groups and 3rd party vendors to implement event operations and logistics
• Other Administrative duties as assigned
• Domestic event travel may be required throughout the year, including nights and weekends
• Support Octagon Events Team’s portfolio of events across the calendar

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

• A passion for and expertise in event operations and logistics, such as business conferences, tradeshows & conventions, B2B events, sports, entertainment, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture
• 7-10 years of work experience in event marketing/event production/tradeshow execution
• Extreme attention to detail and proactive management of ongoing tasks
• Experience managing program budgets and actively tracking of program costs
• Leadership presence, with the ability to communicate concisely, persuasively and effectively, through both written and verbal mediums
• History of building positive relationships, both internally and externally – finding opportunities to make valuable contributions with every interaction
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under strict timelines and lead a team
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple programs and work streams
• Superior organization skills and a standard of excellence and consistency across your team
• Not afraid to “pitch in”, “roll up your sleeves” and get it done. You take initiative
• Demonstrated experience in positions requiring discretion, judgment, tact, and poise and you are absolutely reliable and trustworthy
• Ability to lead client meetings, staff planning, and keep all parties on task, on time and on budget
• Can motivate others, driving team to success
• Have the ability to forecast and mitigate issues/challenges effectively
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and familiarity with Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for up to or more than eight hours at a time
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: Moderate (20-45%)

The base range for this position is $70,000 – 90,000. 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.