Senior Hospitality Manager (Travel Manager & Guest Support) (Contract)

THE JOB / Senior Hospitality Manager (Travel Manager & Guest Support) (Contract)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning, budgeting, scheduling, and managing all guest and staff travel logistics.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

Our headquarters are in Stamford, CT, but the location of this position can be flexible with 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, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, and Miami, FL. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite.”

WHEN YOU’LL WORK

Contract Dates: January to July 2026

Contract Type: W-2 Employment

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

Octagon is looking for an experienced Travel Manager to join a dynamic team, working with a global client with sponsorships of FIFA World Cup. This role is a unique opportunity to join our team.

The candidate must have relevant experience in the planning and delivery of inter-city travel management areas for a hospitality program. On behalf of our client, you’ll be responsible for planning, budgeting, scheduling and managing all guest and staff travel logistics leading up to and during the event.

• Plan, book, and manage commercial flight itineraries across multiple U.S. cities for various guest groups
• Coordinate complex, multi-leg travel schedules, ensuring alignment with event timelines and ground transport plans
• Maintain up-to-date passenger manifests, tracking flight changes, delays, and cancellations
• Work with the vendor to monitor airline policies, group booking options, and fare structures to optimize travel budgets
• Comprehensive understanding of major U.S. city airports
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all movement details to ensure smooth operations and quick access to necessary information.
• Support on Guests Communications and serve as main point of contact for guests regarding all travel related concerns, ensuring forward planning and proactive communication for any issues that may arise
• Maintain financial tracker and provide detailed reconciliation files after event

Key Responsibilities Overall:

• Supporting the Account Lead in the management, administration and delivery of program travel for guests and staff.
• Providing financial account support with client budget, contracts, invoicing, tracking, PO creation, and supplier payments.
• Collaboration across multiple departments including market communications and accommodation.
• Regularly monitor supplier’s performance to ensure they meet agreed-upon service levels, including timelines, quality and guest satisfaction
• Work with suppliers to resolve issues promptly, maintaining a high standard of guest experience.
• Foster a positive working relationship with the vendor and team members, ensuring open lines of communication and collaborative problem-solving.
• Manage a team – if required - and foster a positive atmosphere under pressure

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

• Has experience in travel logistics
• Enjoys solving problems and finding creative solutions to difficult challenges
• A focused and performance driven individual, who can think on their feet, use initiative and be comfortable working in a global environment, under pressure, and to tight deadlines but within a team environment
• Patient, level-headed and cool under pressure
• Has exceptional attention to detail, time management and organizational skills
• Has a flexible, ‘can-do’ attitude and can work some weekends
• Comfortable with a moderate amount of travel that will be required before the event, including nights and weekends when onsite
• Enjoys working and being part of a big team

This could be your next right move if:

• Have previous experience in a travel management role at large-scale events with a demonstrable understanding of travel logistics
• Have proven event experience with a track record of high attention to detail and organizational skills, staying focused on the task at hand ensuring nothing is missed
• Highly organized, dependable, and focused; nothing slips through the cracks under your watch
• Collaborative by nature - you enjoy helping others succeed and thrive in a team-focused culture
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and non-traditional hours, as required
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically, and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: Moderate (20-45%)

L4: This position pays an annualized rate of $82,000, and is not overtime-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.

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