Associate Director, Sponsorship Strategy

** Our headquarters is located in Stamford, CT but the location of this position can be flexible with a preference for working in one of our office locations - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, Ill or Los Angeles, CA. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates.**

Octagon is the world’s largest sports and entertainment agency. We are the agency brands turn to when they need to know which sports, teams, leagues and properties to sponsor!

We are looking for an Associate Director, Sponsorship Strategy to join our Strategy team and advise our clients on the right partnership opportunities, develop sharp consumer insights, and tell compelling stories that are grounded in data. Your sports marketing acumen will drive the recommendations that create the most innovative marketing solutions in the industry!

The work you’ll do

• Be a key contributor to multiple client initiatives that involve data-driven sponsorship and marketing recommendations:
• Assess the effectiveness of current partnerships
• Develop criteria to select new partners
• Measure the impact of partnerships
• Create innovative ways to bring sponsorships to market
• Collect data on competitors and the market, and present relevant insights as actionable strategies for brands or properties.
• Go deep on understanding our clients’ business and marketing needs to deliver confident recommendations that engage and inspire.

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

• 5-7 years of proven experience
• Deep understanding of the sports marketing landscape
• Experience with brand positioning, audience research and insight development, campaign platform and message development, digital and channel strategies, building customer journeys and campaign ecosystem
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to convey complex ideas in a straightforward way
• Experience constructing comprehensive measurement programs, primary research experience a plus
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
• Comfort driving and executing several initiatives simultaneously
• Experience directing and mentoring team members
• A highly-motivated self-starter who is intellectually curious
• Strong PowerPoint and Excel proficiency, data visualization experience
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: Low (0-15%)

The base range for this position is $70,000 – 85,000. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background pertinent experience, and qualifications

Octagon’s comprehensive benefit package includes:

• Unlimited PTO policy – we understand you need time for play!
• Competitive medical/dental/vision insurance plans with FSA/HSA and Dependent Care FSA options. Pet Insurance for those who need it too!
• Generous Family and Parental Leave Policy (12 weeks) with eligibility extended to all parents regardless of gender or primary/secondary caregiver status 
• Access to our parent company (IPG) Savings plan (401K program) with company match as well as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Pretax Transportation/Commuter Benefits and Parent Travel Program
• Dedicated Mental Health resources including Headspace membership, Employee Assistance Program (CCA) and more
• Discount portal for everyday goods and services
• Employee Resource Groups and inclusive diversity programming and initiatives
• Personal Development programs 

Octagon is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.