Experiential Director (Lifestyle - Culinary and Arts & Culture) (Payment Services Client)
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $75,000.00 - $90,000.00
Work Schedule
Flexible
Weekend Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Flexible work schedule
Professional development opportunities
Employee wellness programs
Job Description
Octagon is a global sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing agency and a proud member of the Omnicom Group. Recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work in Sports," Octagon delivers innovative marketing solutions that integrate sports, entertainment, and culture to create impactful experiences. With headquarters located in Stamford, Connecticut, Octagon prides itself on its commitment to fostering creativity and inclusivity while delivering outstanding experiences for some of the world's top brands and talents. The company culture encourages bold, insightful ideas and embraces the power of play as a tool to unlock potential both internally and for clients worldwide. Octagon’s Lifestyle team specifically focuses on curating and managing immersive cultural experiences, with a strong emphasis on culinary and arts sectors, making it an exciting environment for professionals passionate about these areas.
The role of Experiential Director – Lifestyle (Culinary and Arts & Culture) is a key leadership position within Octagon’s Lifestyle team, designed for individuals who excel at planning, executing, and managing high-profile culinary and cultural events. The incumbent in this role will oversee all aspects of experiential marketing programs related to the culinary industry, including strategic partnerships with top-tier restaurant groups and culinary talent. With headquarters in Stamford, CT, this position offers flexibility, with preference given to candidates willing to work in a hybrid setting (three days per week in the office) in either Stamford or New York City. The Experiential Director acts as the primary liaison for clients, partners, and vendors, ensuring smooth communications and flawless delivery of branded experiences.
This leadership role requires someone highly organized and detail-oriented who can juggle complex projects and timelines while maintaining a clear vision for the brand’s culinary series. The director will manage and cultivate relationships with culinary ambassadors, restaurant groups, and other key stakeholders to create memorable events that align strongly with the client’s brand values. From initial concept development and partnership negotiations to event logistics, budgeting, on-site management, and post-event reporting, the Experiential Director will be instrumental in driving successful experiential campaigns. The role demands exceptional communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to innovation as the candidate leads both internal teams and external collaborators.
Ideal candidates will bring over six years of experience in agency or client-side service roles, including at least four years dedicated to event planning. Proven expertise in managing strategic partnerships and high-profile talent is essential, along with the ability to work independently and solve problems creatively. Strong competency in project management, financial oversight, vendor relations, and client communications will ensure the candidate’s success. Additionally, the role entails some level of domestic travel (20-45%) and occasional weekend or holiday work to support events. The salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000, reflecting factors such as experience, market standards, and tenure.
For candidates passionate about lifestyle culture, food, and travel and looking to join a dynamic, forward-thinking agency, this role offers the opportunity to engage with vibrant culinary experiences and build high-impact partnerships in a collaborative and supportive environment.
The role of Experiential Director – Lifestyle (Culinary and Arts & Culture) is a key leadership position within Octagon’s Lifestyle team, designed for individuals who excel at planning, executing, and managing high-profile culinary and cultural events. The incumbent in this role will oversee all aspects of experiential marketing programs related to the culinary industry, including strategic partnerships with top-tier restaurant groups and culinary talent. With headquarters in Stamford, CT, this position offers flexibility, with preference given to candidates willing to work in a hybrid setting (three days per week in the office) in either Stamford or New York City. The Experiential Director acts as the primary liaison for clients, partners, and vendors, ensuring smooth communications and flawless delivery of branded experiences.
This leadership role requires someone highly organized and detail-oriented who can juggle complex projects and timelines while maintaining a clear vision for the brand’s culinary series. The director will manage and cultivate relationships with culinary ambassadors, restaurant groups, and other key stakeholders to create memorable events that align strongly with the client’s brand values. From initial concept development and partnership negotiations to event logistics, budgeting, on-site management, and post-event reporting, the Experiential Director will be instrumental in driving successful experiential campaigns. The role demands exceptional communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to innovation as the candidate leads both internal teams and external collaborators.
Ideal candidates will bring over six years of experience in agency or client-side service roles, including at least four years dedicated to event planning. Proven expertise in managing strategic partnerships and high-profile talent is essential, along with the ability to work independently and solve problems creatively. Strong competency in project management, financial oversight, vendor relations, and client communications will ensure the candidate’s success. Additionally, the role entails some level of domestic travel (20-45%) and occasional weekend or holiday work to support events. The salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000, reflecting factors such as experience, market standards, and tenure.
For candidates passionate about lifestyle culture, food, and travel and looking to join a dynamic, forward-thinking agency, this role offers the opportunity to engage with vibrant culinary experiences and build high-impact partnerships in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Job Requirements
- 6+ years of agency/client service experience
- 4+ years of event planning experience
- Proven experience managing high-profile talent and strategic partnerships
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Experience in on-site event management
- Ability to maintain relationships with venues, vendors, and suppliers
- Strong project management skills
- Some budget management or reconciliation experience preferred
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office software
- Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff
- Willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays
- Passion for lifestyle culture, food, and travel
Job Qualifications
- Passion for lifestyle culture, food, and travel with a strong understanding of the culinary landscape
- Minimum of 6 years agency/client service experience
- At least 4 years of dedicated event planning experience
- Proven ability to manage high-profile talent relationships and strategic partnerships
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Experience with on-site event management and execution
- Ability to maintain relationships with key partners such as venues, vendors, and suppliers
- Strong project management skills
- Some budget management and reconciliation experience preferred
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
- Ability to supervise, lead, and mentor junior employees
- Flexibility to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as required
Job Duties
- Manage and nurture relationships with culinary talent, coordinating their involvement in events, content creation, and brand activations
- Oversee the strategic partnership with a key restaurant group, including event coordination, managing reservation requests, and ensuring a premium guest experience
- Develop and implement a consistent plan and approach for executing each tier of the culinary series, ensuring strong brand alignment
- Oversee all aspects of event planning and implementation (pre, during, and post-event), including logistics from venue research to wrap reports, budgets, and timelines
- Direct the development, implementation, and execution of events and sponsorships, encompassing production, on-site management, asset management, vendor management, and assistance in property negotiations for all culinary activations
- Develop activation/experience plans for stakeholders prior to events and create comprehensive wrap-up reports following events
- Attend events, serving as the primary point of contact for vendors, guests, clients, and partners, including culinary ambassadors and restaurant group representatives
- Identify and recommend potential dining locations and unique culinary experiences
- Secure partnerships and negotiate agreements with culinary talent and restaurant groups
- Maintain and proactively seek creative ways to enhance all partner relationships, including culinary ambassadors, restaurant groups, vendors, and property owners
- Act as the day-to-day contact for key clients, ensuring clear and effective communication
- Manage approvals of sponsorship branding and messaging for both onsite and digital collateral
- Deliver unique, custom event solutions to key program collaborators, both internally and externally, on a regular basis
- Develop post-event wrap-up presentations for clients directly following events, and compile end-of-year recaps
- Own the budget for each individual event, ensuring fiscal responsibility
- Manage all finance paperwork and documentation (creation of POs, job codes, and onboarding new clients/vendors into our systems)
Job Criteria
Experience
Expert Level (7+ years)
Job Location
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