Experiential Director (College Sports)(Home Improvement Client)

Atlanta, GA, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $70,000.00 - $90,000.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Day Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Career Development

Paid holidays

Employee Discounts

Job Description

Octagon is a globally recognized leader in sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing, operating as the dynamic marketing arm of the Interpublic Group. Renowned as one of the "Best Places to Work in Sports," Octagon crafts innovative, engaging experiences that connect fans with their favorite sports, entertainment, and cultural moments. The company prides itself on being Playmakers – professionals who harness the power of play to generate impactful ideas and unlock potential for clients and talent alike. At Octagon, being a fan is at the core of their expertise, allowing them to evolve and elevate the fan experience through cutting-edge campaigns and partnerships with leading brands and athletes worldwide. The corporate culture encourages creativity, collaboration, and a passion for sports, making it an exciting place for those who love working in a fast-paced, fun environment.

The Experiential Director role at Octagon is a unique opportunity for a creative and highly organized professional to lead event and experiential marketing programs, specifically within sports and college football. The role focuses on planning and executing world-class activations like College GameDay and the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four events. Positioned in either Atlanta, GA or Charlotte, NC, this role requires a hands-on leader who thrives in managing multi-stakeholder communications and orchestrating seamless event executions. The Experiential Director acts as the central coordinator – the "general contractor" – transforming conceptual ideas into tangible, engaging fan experiences.

As an Experiential Director, you will lead the development and implementation of large-scale sports activations that attract thousands of fans and create memorable consumer engagements for clients. This demanding position involves close collaboration across various internal teams including creative, client services, and digital, as well as external partners and vendors. You will oversee hiring, managing vendor relationships, budget control, and onsite team leadership during live events. This role demands exceptional interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a willingness to work non-traditional hours, including nights and weekends to support live event schedules.

Octagon values innovative thinking and proactive problem-solving, both essential traits for succeeding as an Experiential Director. You will need to manage and prioritize multiple projects concurrently, navigating complex logistical challenges while maintaining focus on the broader strategic goals. The work environment encourages continuous learning and career development, supporting direct reports and fostering a positive team dynamic. The Experiential Director role offers a competitive base salary range of $70,000 to $90,000, reflecting factors such as experience, qualifications, and market considerations. If you are passionate about sports and event production, eager to lead high-profile sports activations, and enjoy creating extraordinary fan experiences, this role at Octagon provides an exceptional career platform.

Job Requirements

6-9 years of work experience in event production or experiential marketing
Expertise in producing and managing events in the sports and entertainment field
Proficiency in driving business objectives and adjusting strategies to meet timelines
Leadership capability within team-centric environments
Exceptional communication skills, both spoken and written
Proactive and solution-oriented thinking and execution
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying needs
Capacity to solve complex logistical problems and understand big picture strategy
Willingness to work non-traditional event hours and travel approximately 35% during the season
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint
Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for over 8 hours at a time
Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically with anticipated travel levels between 20-45%.

Job Qualifications

6-9 years of experience in event production or experiential marketing
Expertise in producing and managing sports and entertainment events
Ability to lead projects and work well within team environments
Exceptional communication skills in both verbal and written forms
Proactive and solution-oriented mindset
Experience managing multiple projects with varying timelines
Skilled in addressing complex logistical problems and strategic planning
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially PowerPoint
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods
Flexibility to work non-traditional hours and to travel extensively for events

Job Duties

Plan and execute College GameDay and NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four event activations from concept to execution
Collaborate with specialty groups including creative, client services, and digital teams as main experiential or event production expert
Hire, lead, and maintain strong relationships with vendors and partners
Conduct client and vendor/partner calls providing strategic recommendations and maintaining staffing plans
Lead on-site staff and partners during weekly College GameDay broadcasts and annual Final Four events
Build, manage, and track program budgets
Oversee and support direct reports and their career development
Travel regularly to College GameDay locations and Final Four host cities including non-traditional hours, nights, and weekends
Perform other related duties and projects as assigned