Senior Experiential Manager, Hospitality (Team Manager)

THE JOB / 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola Team Manager

EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing programs.

***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, Chicago, IL, or Atlanta, GA.

Octagon is in search of an experienced Senior Account Manager to become a key player in the global project team of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. As part of the core team, you will work up close with the world’s most iconic sporting asset, for one of the world’s best loved and biggest brands.

The role is a 100% commitment to delivering a best-in-class global tour, for a client with extremely high expectations and vast experience in this area. 2026 will mark the 6^th edition of the tour and the second time Octagon will serve as the lead agency for the Tour.

The role will encompass client management, working with different Coca-Cola markets around the world, spanning time zones, business objectives and the full range of football interest levels. We work in fluid environments with complex layers of stakeholders, and the applicant should be comfortable with this.

As a member of the traveling team, the Team Manager will be required to travel internationally and domestically and work weekends. Candidates should have an interest in soccer and should be familiar with the soccer landscape and general soccer consumer/fan. You will have a strong knowledge of how experiences drive content and amplify partnerships.

The Team Manager will serve as the day-to-day team organizer while on tour, from a hospitality, wellbeing and administration point of view. They will be the go-to person regarding aviation flight manifests, trucking, uniform, medical support, visas, luggage, motivation, F&B and team admin matters. The role may also cover carnets, customs, security and insurances.

The Team Manager will aid the wider project team where needed to develop and execute their markets plans in accordance with the Host Countries and Global Program Guidelines in order to meet Coca-Cola Business Goals. You will also liaise with each visited market in advance to secure hotel accommodation and other surrounding reservations for the duration on the stay, to strict protocols. You will be part of a dedicated Host Countries and Global Tour project team, all pulling in the same direction and dedicated for their full billable time to the program.

The roles kick off in January 2025 and will require management of an Account Manager (Team Manager #2) who will be onboarded in April 2025 through to September 2026. The role will involve extensive away from home travel, inconvenient working hours as you navigate clients in different territories, minimal sleep, and the absolute experience of a lifetime. This is a true once-in-a-career opportunity for a driven, organized and diligent Senior Account Manager.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

Local Markets

• Work with markets and hotels to arrange full team accommodation, and other local requirements. Liaise directly with all hotels on booking, room configurations, meals and payment
• Support team members on requirements for advance trips to local markets as needed
• Understand local visa (with specialist agency support) and travel vaccination requirements

Global & Host Country Team

• Contribute to writing the Global Guidelines – a toolkit for global program activation and plan for local markets to leverage against – covering the topics relevant to your role
• Support in operational/logistical planning as needed for Global and Host Country team event deliverables, including a Test Event
• Research, plan, support and ensure compliance to full requirements for visas and vaccinations for all global team members
• Research, plan and run – with the Project Leads, all team meetings, team building and motivational activities both pre, during and post tour. Attention to detail, creativity and thorough planning will be key here
• Support with reporting for the After Action Review for your areas, to ensure full de-brief and learnings captured.

Tour Execution

• Managing the teams’ movements and wellbeing on a day-to-day basis with the Tour Directors and Market Leads
• Being largely based at the hotel to ensure all team members have support where needed
• Working closely with the Team Medic to lead the team’s health and wellbeing
• Planning and managing team dinners, events, birthday celebrations, cultural celebrations and other appropriate milestones as part of the motivation plan on tour
• Ensuring that whilst on breaks from the physical tour, the person covering your role has all the information required to ensure the smooth running of the team and administration

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

• 5+ years’ experience in marketing/sponsorship, administrating on global sports properties
• Highly detail-oriented self-starter, organized with ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Strong team player
• Endurance, stamina and physical ability to work long hours for extended days on the tour
• Persistent enthusiasm, energy and drive through the project both in the office and importantly, on the road
• Problem solves effectively as a team and independently
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written)
• Strong experience in event marketing, client servicing and team management
• Experience working on/at large-scale and/or global events
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills based in agency, client and industry knowledge
• Extremely strong planning and organizational skills to effectively manage numerous workstreams and resources simultaneously
• Open to change and highly adaptable to shifting needs and deadlines, sometimes in pressurized situations
• Strong computer skills – Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Bilingual is not required but is a plus (Spanish)
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record required.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: Full time (75%-100%)

L4: The base range for this position is $65,000 – 75,000. 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 benefit 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.

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