Overview
Octagon is looking for a Hospitality/ Experience Group Director to join our team as a leader and playmaker at the intersection of sports, hospitality and guest experiences. In this role, you will oversee multiple hospitality projects from development through execution, including both local and global projects.
Responsibilities
* Lead multiple hospitality teams in planning and delivering guest programmes for different clients at major sporting events
* Maintain consistency between programmes and processes, and communicate clearly with clients about roles, responsibilities, scope, budget, schedules, and programme status
* Collaborate with legal and finance teams to ensure compliance with Omnicon and client standards
* Manage HSSE planning and execution, including team safety and contingency planning
* Oversee project timelines and key stakeholders to ensure timely delivery
* Support in the creation of presentation decks from pitch proposals to event overviews and operation manuals
* Work with senior team members, agencies, and stakeholders to meet partnership objectives through an integrated approach
* Handle large budgets, find efficiencies, and manage third-party costs through project reconciliation
* Support relationships with third parties, including coordinating contractors and suppliers
* Conduct regular team meetings and manage communications and roles between team members, ensuring deadlines are met
* Demonstrate strong programme management, organisational, and communication skills
* Exhibit strong people management skills and quickly earn the trust of colleagues
* Show leadership by accountability, team effectiveness, developing others, attention to detail, flexibility, and professional confidence
* Ability to travel internationally for site visits and event periods
Requirements
The following are essential:
The candidate must have 8-10 years' relevant experience in the creation and delivery of full-scale hospitality programmes, including asset management, guest experience, in-venue hospitality production, with a proven track record in at major sporting events and/or premium B2B experiences
* Best suited for a candidate with strong knowledge of the hospitality industry, capable of managing senior stakeholders across multiple workstreams, with polished and persuasive communication skills, and working knowledge of the sport sponsorship landscape
* Oversee the development and delivery of sophisticated high end Hospitality programmes for our clients and lead project teams
* Explore all avenues for execution—from client, agency, industry, innovation and best-in-class perspectives
* Build trust and lead conversations with senior clients, internal specialists, and project teams
* Participate in developing integrated solutions that leverage agency offerings
* Have a passion for and expertise in sports, entertainment and sponsorship marketing
* Experience in designing well-rounded guest programmes that include premium accommodation, private transfers, exclusive dinners and gala events, corporate business sessions, product showcases
* Thrive on working on numerous projects at any one time
* Be passionate about teamwork, and able to oversee and inspire teams from planning through to execution
* Be a leader who can brief and supervise a team of over twenty for on-site event delivery
* Proactively take on initiatives and drive projects from conception to completion
* Enjoy solving problems and finding creative solutions to difficult challenges
* Be patient, level-headed and cool under pressure
* Be proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and literate with database management systems for asset and guest management systems
* Have a flexible, can-do attitude and be able to work some weekends
* Be comfortable with a moderate amount of travel during the event, including nights and weekends, with extensive experience in a similar, fast paced, and dynamic role in the sport or entertainment industry
* Have proven event experience with a track record of high attention to detail and organisational skills, staying focused on the task at hand ensuring nothing is missed
* Communicate clearly. Write well; speak engagingly and explain thoughts and ideas succinctly
* Build rapport with just about anyone at any level in an organisation
* Collaborate across disciplines, departments, and client agency partners
* Enjoy helping others succeed and being a real team player
* Enjoy work that takes you to different parts of the world
About Octagon
Octagon is the global sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing agency within Omnicom. We are Playmakers who create bold ways to play in our work and lives, drawing on expertise in sports, entertainment, and culture to evolve the fan experience across major brands and talent.
Benefits
* Core benefits (available from start date) – flexible holiday allowance, AXA private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, Employee Assistance Programme
* Flexible benefits (available after probation) – Gymflex, dental insurance, travel insurance, health cash plan, Cycleshceme, interest-free season ticket loans
* A Flexible Workplace – flexible holiday and flexible working options
* Internal programmes to support physical and mental wellbeing, plus learning and development opportunities
Octagon is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to colour colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.