THE JOB / Sr. Experiential Director, Lifestyle – Culinary and Arts & Culture (Payment Services Client)

EXPERIENCES / 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 a week in the office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT or New York, NY. ***

Are you passionate about creating excellent experiential events, particularly in the culinary space? Do you enjoy managing client relationships and leading a team to implement successful campaigns? If so, this could be your next big move as part of the Lifestyle team.

We are looking for an Experiential Director to join our dynamic team. This person will oversee the Priceless Tables culinary campaign, lead talent relationships, and act as a main point of contact for the client. The Experiential Director will plan all elements needed to build excellent experiential events, manage partner and vendor relationships, and work closely with key internal and external stakeholders to deliver top-of-the-line experiences for our client’s brand.

Our ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and a strong communicator. We are looking for someone who is highly collaborative, is a self-starter, and is comfortable taking the lead and sharing ideas.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Overall management of Priceless Tables campaign (custom dinner events for client partners)
• Develop and implement a consistent plan and approach for executing each tier of the culinary series, ensuring brand alignment
• Supervise all aspects of event planning and implementation (pre, during, and post-event), including logistics, from venue research to wrap reports, budgets, and timelines
• Coordinate development, implementation, and execution of events/marque sponsorships, including production, media integration, on-site management, asset management, vendor management, and assistance in property negotiations for all culinary campaign activations
• Develop activation/experience plans for collaborators prior to events and create wrap-up reports following events
• Attend events, serving as the main point of contact for vendors, guests, clients, and partners
• Identify/recommend potential dining locations
• Secure partnerships and negotiate agreements with chefs
• Maintain and seek creative ways to improve partner relationships, as well as vendor and property relationships
• Act as the day-to-day contact for key clients
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, vendors, venue operators, and partners
• Handle approvals of sponsorship branding and messaging onsite & in digital collateral
• Deliver unique, custom event solutions to key program collaborators, internally and externally, on a regular basis
• Develop post-event wrap-up presentations to clients directly following events, and compile end-of-year recaps
• Manage the budget for each individual event
• Own finance paperwork and documentation (creation of POs, job codes, and adding new clients as vendors into our systems)

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 fan or expert of lifestyle culture, food, and travel
• 7-10 years of agency/client service experience, with 5+ years in event planning
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and to solve problems effectively and independently
• Experience with on-site event management and execution
• Ability to maintain relationships with key partners (e.g. venues, vendors, suppliers, etc.)
• Diligent work ethic, with the ability to balance multiple tasks simultaneously and produce quality work, while adhering to strict timelines (ex: reporting documents, client-facing decks, budgets)
• Excellent project management skills
• Some budget management and/or reconciliation experience preferred
• An A+ organizer and communicator
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Software (specifically PowerPoint, Excel, and Word)
• Ability to supervise, lead, and mentor junior employees
• 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 $90,000 - 120,000. 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 benefit 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.