Job Description

CLIENT SERVICES / Responsible for owning trusted client relationships and growing the business based on marketing expertise, seamless integration, and high-quality delivery, and serving as a core member of our subject matter expert group on the NBA, WNBA, and their affiliates.

**The priority location for this role is Stamford, CT but the location of this position can be flexible for an Octagon office location with priority given to qualified candidates open to hybrid work (3 days a week in the office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA. Qualified remote candidates in Seattle or the Bay Area will also be considered.

Octagon is searching for a new Vice President, Client Services to join our team to lead a key account team with an inspirational management style and organizational prowess. This Vice President will also serve as an agency subject matter expert on the NBA, WNBA, G-League, teams, and athletes, working across other clients in this area of expertise.

In this role, you will lead the account for a key client with investments across sports and entertainment and with a focus on the NBA, WNBA, and its affiliated properties. You will work closely with our clients to think big picture and connect the dots in a sophisticated organization while also leading an account team as they manage relationships with rightsholders and serve as subject matter experts to internal client teams and their other agency partners. We are looking for someone who can own the relationship with senior clients, guide thinking, share best practices, and integrate across a multi-faceted marketing team while also managing and developing direct reports.

To excel in this role, you must be an expert in the NBA and WNBA space, a confident project manager and multi-tasker who thinks on your feet, takes initiative, identifies and solves problems independently, finds creative solutions, and keeps programs on track across multiple partners (agency and client). If you've had experience crafting, creating, and delivering presentations, you'll be ahead of the curve.

The work you’ll do

• Manage a dynamic team to deliver fully integrated, sports-themed marketing programs
• Serve as the agency subject matter expert in the world of the NBA & WBNA – with a keen understanding of the commercial space and agreements and relationships with key players
• Participate in the development of partnership strategies grounded in the brand’s business objectives
• Develop strong, trusted relationships with senior clients, agency partners, sports properties, media and content partners
• Lead a global account team operating across time zones – inspiring and organizing them for success
• Drive integration across a multi-faceted marketing team of agency and brand team members
• Serve as a lead advisor and consultant to decision-making clients
• Institute and manage a consistent and cohesive process for managing complex rights and assets including league, team, talent and influencers to drive brand and business objectives
• Participate in the development and delivery of thought leadership pieces for clients and public distribution
• Leverage resources and expertise across the organization and cross-agency team to deliver the strongest advisory to clients

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 

• 10-14 years of proven experience, weighted heavily to experience in account management work in a sports marketing agency environment 
• Strong understanding of the US sports & entertainment landscape. Global and regional NBA subject matter expertise, particularly in North America and Asia, a strong plus
• Experience leading large teams on complex projects 
• Crisp, effective verbal and written communicator able to scale and adapt communications for a variety of audiences to effectively and succinctly articulate agency positioning and expertise 
• A strategic, collaborative approach to solving problems with ideas – build relationships and influence a range of teams 
• Strong organizational, leadership, and marketing integration skills 
• Strategic problem solver - can see possible impacts of a decision on many projects 
• Successful at encouraging positive agency and client relationships 
• Willingness to travel as needed 

The base range for this position is $130,000 - 150,000. 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 benefits packages include:

• 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