Experiential Director, Experiences (Arts & Culture - Luxury Automotive)

THE JOB / Experiential Director, Experiences (Arts & Culture – Luxury Automotive Client)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for negotiating, planning and activating art and entertainment events with white glove hospitality programming.

***Our headquarters is in Stamford, CT, but the location of this position can be flexible with a priority given to candidates open to hybrid work (2-3 days week in office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA or Atlanta, GA. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite.

We are searching for an Experiential Director who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of an action-packed Arts & Culture calendar of events for our luxury automotive client.  This position will have a strong focus on project management, sponsorship, hospitality, and client management.

This 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. If you are looking to work in the epicenter of entertainment and brand marketing sponsorships across a major luxury automotive brand, this role is for you!

The position will allow the Experiential Director to engage with our corporate client, various departments & divisions, global client counterparts, partners, and agencies/vendors in support of their Arts & Culture initiatives. This position requires an individual who excels in event management, and boasts strong team dynamics skills, a positive attitude, and an eye for detail in a fast-paced environment.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Lead and empower project teams on multiple programs to plan and execute high-profiled B2C/B2B events
• Serve as an experiential expert to find solutions in innovative ways to convey client messaging through events and sponsorships
• Work closely with our CRM and vehicle logistics teams to develop activation  plans and program recommendations in support of clients’ goals and KPI objectives
• Develop, sell in, and lead activation programs and sponsorship initiatives
• Manage finance trackers, budgets, and program reconciliations
• Develop decks and presentations to be presented to internal and external audiences
• Supervision of a team and onsite staff at events while curating mentorships for career growth for each direct report
• Contribute to the overall account and new projects on a request basis

THE BIGGER TEAM YOU’LL JOIN

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

• 7+ years of work experience in sponsorship, hospitality or experiential marketing
• Passion for hospitality, sports, entertainment & travel, and events/experiences, ranging from large-scale custom experiences to small-scale turnkey events
• Experience in account and vendor management, can clearly present ideas, offer creative solutions, and address challenges/obstacles head-on
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, are outstanding
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Software (specifically PowerPoint, Excel, and Word)
• A positive mindset, with a “no job is too small” approach
• History of building positive relationships, both internally and externally – finding chances to create valuable contributions with every interaction
• Able to prioritize multiple projects with ease, handle deadlines, coordinate key timelines, and perform under pressure with strong attention to detail
• Willing to work non-traditional hours including weekend/holiday travel
• Willingness to travel to various event sites throughout the U.S. and globally (25-35%)

• All applicants will need to provide proof of COVID vaccination or contact the organization’s HR team if eligible for an exemption.

Compensation + Benefits:

• L5: The base range for this p