Experiential Director (College Sports)(Home Improvement Client)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing programs.

**The priority location for this role is Atlanta, GA but the location of this position can be flexible for an Octagon office location with priority given to qualified candidates who will work East Coast working hours and open to hybrid work (3 days a week in the office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Chicago, IL or Atlanta, GA. Qualified remote candidates may also be considered.

Do you enjoy turning ideas into action?

Do you love events and creating experiences? Do you love working in a fast-paced environment and figuring out solutions? If so, this may be the opportunity for you.

If you have knowledge and experience planning and 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 our clients to own and consumers to enjoy.

But what will I do? Glad you asked. You’ll be the ‘general contractor’ of sorts organizing communication from multiple collaborators and turning it into actionable steps. The ultimate goal? Planning and implementing world-class experiences for our clients and the consumers they are engaging with.

Still with us? Cool. This role works with College GameDay and some of the biggest names in college football to bring this best-in-class partnership to life each week. And when it’s not football season? You will lead the simultaneous activation executions for our client at the Men and Women’s Final Fours. This position requires strong team dynamic skills and excellent interpersonal skills. 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

• Lead and oversee client’s College GameDay and NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four activations from concept to execution as the event planner, producer, and team leader
• Collaborate with a variety of specialty groups within Octagon (creative, client services, digital, etc.) and key stakeholders taking the lead as experiential or event production expert
• Hire, lead, and maintain strong relationships with vendors and partners
• Host client and vendor/partner calls during planning, providing strategy and recommendations while keeping an organized, efficient staffing plan
• Lead on-site staff and partners at weekly College GameDay broadcasts and annual Final Four activations
• Build, manage, and track program budget
• Oversight and management of direct reports, while also supporting career development
• Other related duties/projects as reasonably assigned
• Travel to College GameDay broadcast locations regularly and Final Four host cities for the activation and supervision of client’s programming, including non-traditional hours, nights, and weekends

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

• 6-9 years of work experience in event production or experiential marketing
• Expertise in producing and managing events in the sports and entertainment field
• Proficiency in driving the business forward and adjusting approaches based on timelines and project demands
• Ability to take a leadership role, while working well within a team-centric environment
• Exceptional communicator both in persuasive and concise speech and written documents/ communication
• Proactive, solution-oriented thinker and doer
• Managing 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 (35% travel in season)
• 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 level: Moderate (20-45%)

The base range for this position is $70,000 - 95,000. Where an employee or prospective employee  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.