HOSPITALITY / Responsible for subject matter expertise planning and delivering global hospitality programs and events around the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027

Octagon is searching for a new Vice President, Hospitality to join our team as a leader and playmaker at the intersection of sports/entertainment and experiential marketing.

In this role, you will work closely with the Senior Vice President of Hospitality and oversee a large team responsible for strategy, and implementation of our client’s upcoming FIFA World Cup & FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 partnerships. There will be a strong focus on team leadership and development, hospitality, and working with and managing C-level executives along with key customers and clients.

To be successful, you’ll need to be an inspiring leader, an excellent communicator, and have specific expertise around the FIFA World Cup.

The position is best suited for a candidate passionate about working in a team environment with a diverse group of people from different cultural backgrounds and interested in managing multiple workstreams.

To excel in this role, you must have soccer-related experience and be a confident & good multi-tasker who thinks on your feet, takes initiative, and understands the program across multiple channels (agency, client, property).

Please also know that the well-being of our employees, partners, fans and consumers are top of mind to our agency, and we are taking measures to ensure proper health and safety initiatives and protocols are in place for our events and activations.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Direct strategic planning, program development/execution, and measurement for our client's FIFA hospitality programming
• Full understanding of requirements to develop and implement hospitality programming across various facets such as creative development, vendor selection/management, operations and logistics planning, and onsite execution/decision-making
• Oversee the development of strategic plans, activation recommendations, finance trackers, budgets, and program recaps and support the development of clients’ scopes of work
• Develop toolkits and maintain regular communication with client affiliates & subsidiary partners participating in these events
• Counsel clients on FIFA World Cup and soccer nuances for strategic planning and program development
• Led a fully integrated team, dedicated to the development of our clients’ FIFA hospitality programs (including implementation/evolution of management routines across multiple constituencies including clients, internal agency teammates, property partners, and vendors)
• Oversee the management and professional development of the FIFA hospitality team and provide training and career development consultation/guidance
• Provide guidance over online guest registration systems, databases, and other technical areas related to the program
• Lead agency in collaborating with clients and other agencies for select integrated planning opportunities representing Octagon on cross-agency forums
• Oversee event results reporting and wrap-up report development for client and affiliate partners
• Additional responsibilities as assigned

THE BIGGER TEAM YOU’LL JOIN

Where others see complexity, we see possibility.

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 work with an agency, brand, or property on the development of world-class hospitality programs, specifically within global sports and/or the FIFA World Cup
• Superior verbal and written communicator able to scale and adapt communications for a variety of audiences to optimally and succinctly articulate agency positioning and expertise
• A strategic, collaborative approach to solving problems with ideas – build relationships and influence a range of teams.
• Track record of success at cultivating positive agency, client, vendor, and property relationships
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• People may have accused you of being fervent; you’re so organized that a messy folder or inbox irritates you
• Consider yourself a self-starter with the ability to balance multiple projects on tight deadlines simultaneously
• Form effective links with clients; Flexible and adaptable in working with various personalities
• Strategic problem solver - can see possible impacts of a decision on many projects
• A sense of humor and the ability to tell a good story; we like to laugh
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral
• Thrives under pressure and is outstanding at problem-solving; offering creative solutions (though you will always have help, your mantra is: I will figure it out!)
• Passion for sports, entertainment, gaming, music, and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture will make you a good Octagon fit
• Super knowledgeable in Microsoft Office suite; particularly Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Though not a requirement, a second language such as Spanish is a plus
• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively domestically (and internationally) and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel amount: (50%). As such, a valid US/European passport will be required

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 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.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation

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