Group Director (12 month fixed contract)

Octagon; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global sports marketing agency is seeking a Group Director to lead and deliver several hospitality projects at major sporting events. The role requires a strong leader with 8-10 years of experience in hospitality program delivery, outstanding communication, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage large budgets and diverse teams. The position offers core benefits, flexible working options, and a vibrant workplace culture.

Benefits

Flexible holiday allowance

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Employee Assistance Programme

Gymflex

Travel insurance

Health cash plan

Qualifications

• 8-10 years' relevant experience in hospitality programme delivery.
• Strong knowledge of the hospitality industry.
• Experience working in the sports marketing sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams in planning and delivering guest programs.
• Manage project timelines and key stakeholders.
• Oversee compliance with legal and financial standards.
• Develop integrated solutions leveraging agency offerings.

Skills

Programme management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

People management

Budget management

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• 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, preferably in football
• Experience in designing well-rounded guest programs that include luxury 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 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 arm of the Interpublic Group. 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. Octagon is part of a wider family of agencies within IPG, including Futures Sport & Entertainment, FRUKT, and No2ndPlace.

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