Job Description

Octagon is looking for a Group Director on an initial 12 month contract (with potential to extend) 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 and not limited to UEFA Champions League Final, which will take place in Budapest on Saturday 30th May 2026.
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.
The position is best suited for a candidate with a strong knowledge of the hospitality industry, capable of managing senior stakeholders across multiple workstreams, with polished & persuasive communication skills, and a working knowledge of the sport sponsorship landscape.
We're after someone who:

• Explores all avenues for execution - from a client, agency, industry, innovation & best-in-class perspective
• Is able to build trust and lead conversations with senior clients, internal specialists, and project teams
• Participates in the development of integrated solutions that leverage agency offerings
• Has a passion for and expertise in sports, entertainment and sponsorship marketing, preferably in football
• Is experienced in designing well rounded guest programs that include luxury accommodation, private transfers, exclusive dinners and gala events, corporate business sessions, product showcases
• Thrives on working on numerous projects at any one time
• Is passionate about teamwork, and able to oversee and inspire teams from planning through to execution
• Is a leader who can brief and supervise a team of twenty for on-site event delivery

• Proactively takes on initiatives and drive projects from conception to completion
• Enjoys solving problems and finding creative solutions to difficult challenges
• Is patient, level-headed and cool under pressure
• Is proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and literate with database management systems for asset and guest management systems
• Has a flexible, 'can-do' attitude and can work some weekends
• Is comfortable with a moderate amount of travel that will be required during the event, including nights and weekends

What you'll do:

• Lead multiple hospitality teams in planning and delivering guest programs 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 IPG and client standards.
• Manage HSSE planning and execution, including team safety and contingency planning.
• Oversee project timelines and key stakeholders to ensure timely delivery.
• Create 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.
• Lead 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.

This could be your next right move if:

• You have extensive experience in a similar, fast paced, and dynamic role in the sport or entertainment industry
• You 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
• You communicate clearly. You can write well; you speak in an engaging way and can explain your thoughts and ideas succinctly
• You're a natural at building rapport with just about anyone at any level in an organisation
• You have the ability to collaborate across disciplines, departments, and client agency partners
• You like helping other people succeed. You enjoy teaching other people something and are a real team player
• You enjoy your work taking you to different parts of the world.

THE BIGGER TEAM YOU'LL JOIN
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?
We're pleased to offer wide range of benefits, including but not limited to the following:

• 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 - we have a number of initiatives in place to ensure that our team have the flexibility to balance work with their lives, this includes flexible holiday and flexible working options.
• We also run a number of internal programmes to support physical and mental wellbeing, alongside learning and development opportunities to support career development and progression.

ABOUT US
Octagon is a global creative agency in sports, entertainment and culture.
We're part of a wider family of agencies - the Octagon R&CPMK - a group of specialist agencies working with brands, athletes, and celebrities. Group agencies include Futures Sport & Entertainment, FRUKT and No2ndPlace. We're all part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), one of the world's most respected advertising networks.
Founded in 1982 with over 800 employees around the globe. Our Headquarters is in Stamford, Connecticut with further offices around the world including: New York, LA, Miami, McLean, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Manchester.
We inspire brands and people to play. At Octagon, it's all in Play.
Octagon is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Skills Required