Experiential Director (Regional Office Lead - Central) (Global Soccer) (Financial Services Client) (Contract)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of experiential marketing programs in a specific region of the US (West, Central, Northeast, and Southeast) for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. 

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

Leading up to the tournament, this position offers flexibility for 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, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, or Miami, FL. Remote candidates will also be considered.

During the tournament (8-10 weeks during May-July), this position will sit out of one of the regional HQ cities:

• Central (Dallas)
• Northeast (New York/New Jersey)
• Southeast (TBD - Miami or Atlanta)
• West (Los Angeles)

WHEN YOU’LL WORK

Contract Dates: February 1st, 2026 to July 31st, 2026

Contract Type: W-2 Employment

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

Octagon is seeking for multiple Experiential Directors to serve as a regional leaders and playmakers at the intersection of sports and experiential marketing. In this role, you will lead one of our regional offices — New York/New Jersey, Atlanta/Miami, Dallas, or Los Angeles — overseeing the planning and execution of multiple high-profile brand activations for our client’s partnership of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. 

You’ll manage a dynamic team responsible for delivering best-in-class fan experiences across 2–3 host cities within your region. This includes full operational ownership of staffing, travel, accommodations, meals, scheduling, and on-site logistics to ensure flawless delivery of on- and off-stadium activations and other special events throughout the tournament. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced experiential leader — part strategist, part operator — who can manage complex logistics, empower teams, and maintain excellence across multiple simultaneous programs. You’ll work cross-functionally with internal teams, vendors, and partners to ensure every event in every city reflects our client’s vision and Octagon’s high standards of creativity and execution. Other main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Partner with the Experiences leads to implement activation strategies, tactical plans, operational trackers, budgets, and post-program recaps for all activations within the specific region. 
• Manage and motivate regional team members, ensuring alignment across project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards. Support performance feedback, development, and professional growth. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor and day-to-day lead for regional operation, maintaining open communication and ensuring alignment on goals, budgets, and executional details. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regional budgets — including tracking expenses, forecasting costs, and identifying efficiencies — while ensuring adherence to client and agency financial guidelines. 
• Oversee live event execution across multiple markets within a region, managing staff, vendors, and logistics on the ground to ensure flawless delivery and real-time problem-solving. 
• Collaborate on post-event reporting and measurement frameworks to evaluate performance, track ROI, and provide actionable insights for future programming. 
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-energy regional culture that reflects Octagon’s values and supports operational excellence. 

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 

• 5-7 years of experience in experiential marketing, sponsorship, or event production — preferably with sports properties or large-scale events. 
• Proven success leading multi-market event programs with significant operational complexity. 
• Strong leadership presence with experience managing large, diverse teams. 
• Exceptional organizational skills with a meticulous eye for detail. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage staffing, scheduling, travel, accommodations, and on-site logistics. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Skilled in budget management, forecasting, and financial accountability. 
• A collaborative problem solver who thrives under pressure and embraces a hands-on leadership style. 
• Comfortable managing multiple concurrent projects in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management platforms. 
• Endurance, stamina and physical ability to work long hours for extended days during activations.  
• Persistent enthusiasm, energy and drive through the project both in the office and importantly, on the road.  
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.  
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for up to or more than eight hours at a time.  
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: High (40-60%). 

This position pays an annualized rate of $100,000, and is not overtime-eligible. Contract positions with Octagon are not benefits-eligible.   

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.