VP, Experiential (Home Improvement Client)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for subject matter expertise, planning and delivering global sponsorship programs and events around College Sports and Soccer properties

***Our headquarters are in Atlanta, GA but the location of this position can be flexible with a priority given to candidates open to hybrid work (3 days a week in the office) in one of our office locations - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL or Atlanta, GA. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite.”

If you have knowledge and experience planning events, leading a team, building strong business relationships with vendors, and orchestrating first-class brand activations, this opportunity is for you!

Our team is searching for a new Vice President, Experiences 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 Client Services and organizational sports experts as part of an integrated work team responsible for the branded experiential execution of our clients’ College Sports and Soccer partnerships.

There will be a strong focus on team leadership/management, client management, active contribution to integrated planning, concept development/vetting, vendor and program management, and on-site execution of our experiential programs with internal teammates and agency partners throughout the process.

To be successful, you’ll need to be an inspiring leader, an excellent communicator, and have specific expertise in cultivating branded consumer experiences around College Sports and Soccer.

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.

The work you’ll do

• Direct strategic planning, program development/execution, and measurement for our client's College Sports and Soccer programs
• Full understanding of requirements to develop and implement strategic integrated programming across channels, focusing on experiential engagement with consumers, fans, clients, and communities for our client’s College Sports and Soccer programs
• Oversee the development of strategic plans, activation recommendations, finance trackers, budgets, and program recaps, and support the development of clients’ scopes of work
• Counsel clients on the nuances of College Sports and Soccer programs for strategic planning and program development
• Provide consultative guidance on client and vendor/partner status calls during planning, providing relevant update,s and ensuring deadlines are met
• Oversee the management and professional development of the College Sports and Soccer programs
• Experiences team and provide training and career development consultation/guidance
• Close alignment and collaboration working for our account’s internal integrated College Sports and Soccer team(s)
• Serve as an Octagon experiential SME when collaborating internally and externally with clients and agency partners on integrated planning opportunities, representing Octagon on cross-agency forums

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 work with an agency, brand, or property on the development of world-class experiential programs, specifically within global sports and/or College Sports or Soccer
• Outstanding 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
• Existing relationships working with production/fabrication vendors along
• Substantive experience overseeing event production processes from briefing through execution
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Strategic problem solver - can see possible impacts of a decision on many projects
• 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
• A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record are required for this position.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively domestically (and internationally) and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel amount: Moderate (20-45%). As such, a valid US passport will be required

The base range for this position is $125,000 – 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