Freelance Event Director (Talent Industry Client)

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 (3 days week in office) in one of our office locations - - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA, Cary, NC or Atlanta, GA. Qualified remote candidate will also be considered***

*** Please note this is a fixed-term, 6-month contract through the end of October.

We are looking for a Senior Event Director to help expand the success of our clients’ annual industry conferences focused on strengthening their B2B relationships.  As the Senior Event Director, you will be the day-to-day account lead for multiple internal clients, focusing on on-site programming for their most important customers, as well as leading the planning for key client partners. This includes event planning, coordination of concept development with our creative and account teams, design and development of the program, management of staff, oversight of on-site planning & activation, and oversight of program budgets. This person will work closely with our clients from briefing and planning to on-site execution and recapping.

In addition to being the lead on these projects, the Senior Event Director will collaborate with the larger conference team and will include the management of two coordinators to manage client communication and workflow, prioritize account tasks, work under pressure, and lead the successful activation of programming in a deadline-oriented environment.

Our ideal candidate will be highly organized, diligent, and a great communicator, able to manage multiple clients and multiple workstreams simultaneously. We are looking for someone who is highly collaborative, a self-starter, and is comfortable taking the lead and voicing their opinions and ideas. If you love events and want to be part of an experienced team of passionate marketers, this may be the job for you.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Lead planning and implementation of on-site programming for client's top customers of clients, including travel to site visits and on-site execution
• Lead planning and implementation of annual conference for up to 200 attendees for clients’ sales industry-focused products
• Focused on overall project management, agendas, budget, communication, etc.
• Develop workflow timeline, planning, and program execution, and measurement
• Create templates of program descriptions and event concepts for internal client presentations
• Create and present professional documents, including event briefs and post event recaps
• Create and manage event staffing schedules
• Day to day contact with Manager to ensure needs are being met
• Manage and execute on-site activities including pre-communication with event organizers, event set-up, engaging the clients on staffing, premium distribution and event breakdown
• Provide oversight, management, leadership and direction to direct reports: Event Manager and Senior Event Executive
• Lead day-today communication with client, internal service groups and 3rd party vendors to execute event operations and logistics
• Other Administrative duties and related duties 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

• Have a passion for and expertise in event operations and logistics, such as business conferences, tradeshows and conventions, B2B events, sports, entertainment, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture
• 7-10 year(s) work experience in event marketing/event production/tradeshow execution
• Extreme attention to detail and proactive management of ongoing tasks
• Experience managing program budgets and actively tracking of program costs
• Leadership presence, with the ability to communicate concisely, persuasively and effectively, through both written and verbal mediums
• History of building positive relationships, both internally and externally – finding opportunities to made valuable contributions with every interaction
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under short deadlines and lead a team
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple programs and work streams
• Superior organization skills and a standard of excellence and consistency across your team
• Not afraid to “pitch in”, “roll up your sleeves” and get it done. You take initiative
• Have demonstrated experience in positions requiring discretion, judgment, tact, and poise and you are absolutely reliable and trustworthy
• Can lead client meetings, staff planning, and keep all parties on task, on time, and on budget
• Can motivate others, driving the team to success
• Have the ability to forecast and mitigate issues/challenges effectively
• Willing to work non-traditional hours, including weekend/holiday travel
• Willingness to travel to various event sites throughout the U.S.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and familiarity with Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for up to or more than eight hours at a time
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: Moderate (20-45%)