THE JOB / VP, Client Services (Soccer)

CLIENT SERVICES / Responsible for leading Octagon’s client business and day-to-day management of client 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 East Coast office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, GA. Miami, FL would also be a preferred work location. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite.*

Octagon is searching for a new Vice President, Client Services to join our team to lead a highly integrated, multi-functional, and multi-agency team with an inspirational management style and organizational prowess. This Vice President will play a key role in leading soccer-related integrated marketing programs for clients, and also serve as an agency subject matter expert in soccer from both from an internal support perspective as well as externally in business development.

In this role, you will work closely and across key clients investing in soccer, and the FIFA World Cup in particular, to think big picture, connect the dots across all client, agency, rightsholder, and external partners, and lead a project management team as they implement tactical integrated programs. We are looking for someone who can own the relationship with senior clients, guide thinking, and share standard processes, while also managing and developing team members.

To excel in this role, you must be an expert in the soccer commercial 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). Experience in effectively crafting and presenting marketing plans and other deliverables will be critical to obtaining stakeholder buy-in and setting the direction and effective execution of initiatives.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Manage a dynamic and cross-functional team to deliver fully integrated, sports-themed marketing programs linked to soccer and the FIFA World Cup in particular
• Serve as one of the agency’s key subject matter experts in the world of soccer – with a keen understanding of the commercial space and relationships with key players and rightsholders
• Participate in the development of partnership and investment and divestment strategies grounded in the brand’s business objectives around soccer entry points
• Develop strong, trusted relationships with senior clients, agency partners, sports properties, media and content partners
• Lead a regional account team – inspiring and organizing them for success
• Serve as a lead advisor and consultant to decision-making clients
• Institute and manage a consistent and cohesive process to advance from the development of an activation strategy to in-market delivery to performance analysis
• 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

• 12-20 years of proven experience, weighted heavily to experience in leading integrated marketing programs and client management work in a marketing agency, brand, or rightsholder environment
• Strong understanding of the regional and global soccer landscape, particularly FIFA, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL
• Proven soccer subject matter expertise, having played a leadership role in the oversight and execution of major integrated soccer marketing campaigns
• Spanish-language fluency, business proficiency a 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, from C-suite clients to entry level colleagues supporting programs on the ground.
• 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
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: Moderate (20-45%)

The base range for this position is $145,000 – 175,000. 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.