Group Account Director, Team and Property Partnerships (Financial Services Client)

CLIENT SERVICES / Responsible for supporting Octagon’s client business and day-to-day management of client 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 a week in the office) in one of our office locations - Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA or Atlanta, GA. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite.”

Do want to work with some of the largest and most iconic teams and properties in sports?  As our Group Account Director, you’ll support our team by working closely with clients and partners, as well as internal groups (Strategy, Creative, Production, etc.), and external partner agencies to develop campaigns and programs across a spectrum of sports including MLB, NFL, NBA, Motorsports and more. You’ll spearhead collaboration on a collection of programs and experiences that embody our client’s brand while harnessing the uniqueness and spirit of each campaign.

The ideal candidate recognizes that success is a team sport and has a strong background in managing high-profile relationships with clients and/or sports properties and demonstrates the following characteristics:  highly organized and meticulous, consistently meets deadlines, strong written and verbal communication skills, and strong working knowledge of the sports sponsorship industry.  This candidate should also thrive in a collaborative environment, strive to be better, and know there’s always more you can do. The Group Account Director will report to the Senior Vice President with the responsibility to serve as agency lead across the client’s sports sponsorship portfolio.

THE WORK YOU’LL DO

• Serve as subject matter expert across client’s portfolio ensuring timely delivery and fulfillment of contractual assets in tandem with agency partners and internal Octagon resources
• Lead client meetings and partner conversations keeping all parties on task, on time and on budget
• Work closely and build relationships with clients, sports teams, and leagues
• Take charge of preparing essential documents for long-term planning and generating ideas, evaluating sponsorships, conducting competitive analyses, forming perspectives, researching properties, and more.
• Serve as key integrator overseeing cross-functional teams. Work to include timelines, budgets, program plans, and recaps
• Represent client’s best interests with sponsored properties to maximize existing investments and by providing key insights
• Develop a working knowledge and understanding of financial services client’s business initiatives and marketing trends, serving as a subject matter expert as you build your knowledge base
• Manage and oversee the development of two (2) full-time employees
• Additional projects 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

• 9-12 years of proven experience in sports marketing and/or client management
• A passion and expertise in sports, CSR programs, entertainment, gaming, music, and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture
• Experience developing successful integrated sponsorship activations, initiatives, and campaigns with cross-functional agency/client teams
• Superior verbal and written communicator able to scale and adapt communications for a variety of audiences to optimally and succinctly articulate agency positioning and expertise
• A strategic, collaborative approach to solving problems with ideas – build relationships and influence a range of teams
• Track record of success at cultivating positive agency, client, vendor, and property relationships
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Strategic problem solver - can see possible impacts of a decision on many projects
• Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel amount: Moderate (20-45%).

The base range for this position is $90,000 – 110,000. 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 benefits 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.