Octagon is looking for an experienced Hospitality Programme Lead to join a dynamic team, working with a global client with sponsorships of Champions League Final. 

The candidate must have relevant experience in the creation and delivery of world-class hospitality programmes in the sports landscape.

The work you’ll do

On behalf our of our client, we manage an extensive global hospitality programmes for Champions League Final, taking place at Wembley Stadium in London on the 1^st June 2024.  Leading up to the event, the Hospitality Programme Lead will be working alongside the overall Project Lead to oversee a team of 10 people to plan and deliver all hospitality operations.

Event Operations

• Project manage an extensive hospitality program, using superior attention to detail and client management skills
• Research and implement tactical plans, handling client and vendor relationships
• Develop guidelines, sell in presentations, and best practices documents to distribute internally and to clients
• Management of precise financial records including budget creation, client invoicing, budget forecasting, reconciliation, and personal travel expenses
• Order management, tracking of changes and bespoke programs, foresee impact of any changes onto other workstreams and share details with colleagues as needed
• Lead the team to plan and manage guest communications and online guest management tools
• Creation of personalized itineraries for different guest groups
• Review of all vendor contracts, including hotels, transportation, staffing agency
• Oversee branding, merchandise, gifting, signage and uniforms
• Oversee hotel allocation and creating of rooming lists
• Manage ticketing allocation and oversee ticketing distribution
• Provide internal and client updates as needed
• Lead weekly status calls and other key meetings with both internal and external constituents
• Oversee staff training for new starters and agency staff on site during the event
• Oversee transportation requirement to optimise fleet usage and minimise costs
• Compile event results reporting and wrap-up report development
• General account management and assistance with client requests
• Weekend/holiday work as needed

Project Support as required, including:

• PMO Management
• Monthly reporting and end of season
• Finance, budget management and vendor payments

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Have a passion for and expertise in sports, entertainment, gaming, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture!
• Relevant experience in related events field; past hospitality experience necessary
• Proven experience of managing large logistically complex hospitality programmes within a fast paced, major events environment
• Extraordinarily well-organized and efficient
• Experience in briefing, negotiating and managing 3^rd party suppliers
• A great teammate who wants to know what others are working on and wants to help
• A self-starter with the ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• Willingness to work weekends and unsocial hours as determined by the events
• Willing and able to travel when required including internationally based for extended periods of time during the events and for relevant site inspections / meetings
• Ability to form effective links with clients; flexible and adaptable in working with various personalities
• Always one or 10 steps ahead; always thinking forward and figuring out answers and solutions before they become questions or challenges
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral
• Ability to thrive despite any pressure and is outstanding at problem solving; offering creative solutions (though there will always be help, your mantra is: I will figure it out!)
• A go-getter, you demonstrate initiative and accept new challenges (there'll be plenty of last-minute client requests)
• Knowledgeable in the Microsoft Office suite; particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Experience handling a budget and Excel does not scare you

ABOUT US 

Octagon is a global creative agency in sports, entertainment and culture. 

We’re part of a wider family of agencies – the Octagon Sports & Entertainment Network (OSEN) – a group of specialist agencies working with brands, athletes, and celebrities. These sister agencies include R&CPMK, Futures Sport & Entertainment, FRUKT and No2ndPlace. We’re all part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), one of the world’s most respected advertising networks.

Founded in 1983 with over 1000 employees around the globe. Our Headquarters is in Stamford, Connecticut with further offices around the world including: New York, LA, Miami, McLean, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Manchester.

We believe that great brands own an idea in the minds of their audience. For Apple, it’s creativity. For Nike, it’s performance. For BMW it’s Joy. For Coca-Cola, it’s happiness. For Mastercard, it’s priceless experiences.

At Octagon, it’s all in Play.

http://www.octagon.com/    https://wearefrukt.com/

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.