Hospitality Director (FIFA) (Global Hospitality)

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing programs for an existing client with a 2026 FIFA World Cup partnership. 

***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 (3 days a week in the office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA, 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.”  

Octagon is searching for a new Hospitality Director 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 Sr. Hospitality Director and assist in the management of a team responsible for the strategy, and implementation of our client’s upcoming FIFA World Cup partnership. There will be a strong focus on team leadership and development, hospitality, and working with and managing C-level executives and key customers and clients. The Hospitality Director would effectively work with clients and partners to deliver white glove service in a fast-paced environment. 

To be successful, you’ll need to be an inspiring leader, an excellent communicator, and have specific expertise around the FIFA World Cup. 

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 leading multiple workstreams. 

THE WORK YOU’LL DO 

• Work with the Sr. Hospitality Director in the strategic planning, program development/execution, and measurement for our client's FIFA hospitality programming 
• Serve as a hospitality expert to ideate on innovative ways to convey client messaging through events and hospitality 
• Conduct pre-planning, management, and implementation for events including vendor vetting, contract review and negotiation, and requisite event activation plans (including transport and room manifest) and supporting communication documents (i.e., Work Plans, Event Overviews, Event Guides, etc.) 
• Lead execution delivery of soccer hospitality programming (site visits, vendors, recommendations) 
• Full understanding of requirements to develop and implement hospitality programming such as creative development, vendor selection/management, operations and logistics planning, and onsite execution/decision-making 
• Work with the Sr. Hospitality Director in the development of strategic plans, activation recommendations, finance trackers, budgets, program recaps and support the development of clients’ scopes of work 
• Assist the Sr. Hospitality Director in counseling clients on FIFA World Cup and soccer nuances for strategic planning and program development  
• Manage a fully integrated team, dedicated to the development of our clients’ FIFA hospitality programs (including implementation/evolution of management routines across multiple constituencies including clients, internal agency teammates, property partners, and vendors) 
• Additional responsibilities as assigned 

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 

• 7+ years of work with an agency, brand, or property on the development of world-class hospitality programs, specifically within global sports and/or the FIFA World Cup 
• Superior 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 
• Strong organizational and leadership skills 
• Strategic problem solver - can see possible impacts of a decision on many projects 
• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively domestically (and internationally) and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel amount: (50%). As such, a valid US passport will be required 

The base range for this position is $70,000 – 85,000. 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 

• 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, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

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