THE JOB / Experiential Director (Events)

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 office) in one of our office locations - - Cary, NC or Charlotte, NC. *

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

If you have knowledge and experience planning & managing events while on a constant search for the next best experience, 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.

The Experiential Director will be the ‘general contractor’ of sorts- organizing communication from multiple collaborators and turning it into actionable steps. The ultimate goal is to plan and execute world-class experiences for our brand clients and the consumers they are engaging with.

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 all things production and fabrication, engaging vendors to bring the magic to life. Responsibilities include sourcing, negotiating, planning, and implementing the AV, furniture, signage, stage, and experiences that are critical to the success of our events. You will be a critical component of the event planning, coordination of concept development with our creative and account teams, design and development, management of staff and vendors, oversight of on-site planning & activation, and oversight of production 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 play a key role to standardize operations within Octagon’s Events Team for all production and fabrication needs across our portfolio of events including a core of professional golf events.

Success in this position will be through collaboration with the larger Events Team and will include the management of client communication and workflow, prioritization of project tasks, working under pressure and leading the successful activation of programming in a deadline-oriented environment.

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

• Work in collaboration with Events Team on programs as lead producer
• 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
• Comfortable with hiring, leading, and maintaining positive relationships with vendors and partners for any items related to production and audio visual
• 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
• Collaborate on program budgets – including tracking expenses, forecasting cost, and identifying efficiencies – while ensuring adherence to client guidelines
• 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

• A passion for and expertise in event operations and logistics, such as business conferences, tradeshows and conventions, B2B events, sports, entertainment, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture
• 6-10 years of work experience in event production or experiential marketing
• Proficiency in driving business forward and adjusting approach based on timelines and project demands
• Ability to take on a leadership role, while working well within a team-centric environment
• Outstanding communicator both in persuasive and concise speech and written documents/ communication
• Proactive, solution-oriented thinker and doer
• Leading 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
• 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
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel: Moderate (20-45%)

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.