Experiential Manager, Hospitality & Production (Sports Betting Client)

THE JOB / Experiential Manager, Hospitality & Production (Sports Betting Client)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing 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 office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA or Atlanta, GA.

We are seeking a dedicated and hardworking person to join our experiential team, supporting the planning and execution of live events and hospitality programs. This role sits at the intersection of hospitality operations and event production, requiring a diligent, proactive leader who can manage multiple collaborators while ensuring seamless program delivery.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable leading client communications and timelines as they are coordinating vendors, production partners, and on-site logistics. You will play a key role in bringing experiential concepts to life while maintaining strong client relationships and operational excellence.

This role could be the right fit for you if, you're an experienced event professional ready to step into a more client-facing, ownership-driven role – or you’re already managing accounts and want deeper involvement in production and hospitality execution!

The EM will be working with a team committed to providing a seamless, high-touch hospitality experiences for our brand clients for their most important guests. With the team located across a few Octagon offices, there will be broad exposure to the hospitality industry with tremendous potential to learn and gain hands-on experience. This role involves working with prominent partners and requires collaboration with team members, agency staff, selected vendors, and important clients.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Project manage multiple hospitality and production-focused programs simultaneously, using superior attention to detail and client management skills
• Design, develop and present strategic program recommendations and program execution guides
• Research and implement tactical plans, handling client and vendor relationships
• Develop guidelines and best practices documents for internal and client distribution
• Manage internal and client communications as needed to ensure successful planning, event management and execution
• Lead weekly status calls and other key meetings with both internal and external constituents
• Ensure production timelines, run-of-show documents, and staffing plans are followed
• Maintain a high standard of quality control across all experiential elements
• Exemplary service onsite for clients and guests at all program events
• May supervise staff and/or brand ambassadors in the implementation of programs
• Assist with sourcing, contracting, managing, and collaborating with vendors/production partners to bring activation elements to life
• Handle all logistics to include, but not limited to decor, lodging, transportation, food and beverage, production services, and celebrity appearances
• Review and distribute event status meeting notes, execution guides, staff implementation guides
• Compile event results reporting and wrap-up report development
• Management of precise financial records including budget creation, client invoicing, budget forecasting, reconciliation, and personal travel expenses
• General account management and assistance with client requests
• Weekend/holiday work as needed

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

• A passion for and expertise in sports, entertainment, gaming, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture!
• 5+ years of experience in related events field; past hospitality and production management experience preferred
• Extraordinarily well-organized and efficient
• A great teammate who wants to know what others are working on and wants to help
• A self-starter with the ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to form effective links with clients; flexible and adaptable in working with various personalities
• Always one or 10 steps ahead; thinking forward and figuring out answers and solutions before they become questions or challenges
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral
• Ability to thrive despite any pressure and is outstanding at problem solving; offering creative solutions (though there will always be help, your mantra is: I will figure it out!)
• A go-getter, you demonstrate initiative and accept new challenges (there'll be plenty of last-minute client requests)
• Knowledgeable in the Microsoft Office suite; particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Experience handling a budget and Excel does not scare you
• Though not a requirement, a second language is a plus
• A jetsetter: your bags are packed, and you are thrilled at the idea of travel
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel: Moderate (20-45%)

The base range for this position is $60,000 – 65,000. 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 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.