THE JOB / Experiential Director (Ticket Management) (Adult Beverage Client) (Contract) EXPERIENCES / Responsible for planning and executing event and experiential marketing programs. WHERE YOU’LL WORK Our headquarters is in Stamford, CT, but the location of this position can be flexible with 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, Atlanta, GA, and Miami, FL. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite WHEN YOU’LL WORK Contract Dates: ASAP to August 31st, 2026 Contract Type: W-2 Employment THE WORK YOU’LL DO Octagon is looking for a highly experienced Ticket Management Director to join a dynamic team, working with a global client with sponsorships for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This role is a unique opportunity to join us. The candidate must possess relevant experience in planning and executing end-to-end ticketing operations within a hospitality program for major sporting events. Leading up to the event, the Ticket Director will be responsible for ticket and system planning and set-up, allocation, working with key global stakeholders and the team to ensure seamless guest experience. <ul> <li>Lead all ticketing operations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, overseeing allocation, tracking, and delivery across a diverse global client base</li> <li>Provide strategic oversight and advisory support to align ticketing operations with stakeholder goals and contractual obligations</li> <li>Establish and manage an integrated ticket and guest access system, ensuring alignment</li> <li>Coordinate closely with departments such as Hospitality, Compliance, Accreditation, and Guest Services</li> <li>Maintain accurate records in Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP, data validation) formulas in general</li> <li>Direct end-to-end planning and execution of ticket fulfilment, venue support, and guest service delivery for priority client groups</li> <li>Manage ticket-related communications and resolving queries in collaboration with both internal and external teams</li> <li>Act as the primary point of contact between teams, key stakeholders, and internal operational units</li> <li>Lead contingency planning and issue resolution to ensure operational readiness across all venues</li> <li>Deliver accurate reporting, reconciliation, and audits of ticket inventory, providing regular insights to leadership and partners</li> <li>Configure and maintain a secure, scalable ticketing management system and tracker</li> <li>Ensure all systems and practices comply with FIFA regulations, data protection laws, and contractual obligations</li> <li>Serve as the central contact for assigned client groups, ensuring their ticketing needs are met with precision and professionalism</li> <li>Track ticket allocations, transfers, and usage with clear reporting structures and accountability</li> <li>Develop and manage strategies for ticket distribution, policy compliance, and operational readiness across all delivery channels</li> <li>Analyze data to create performance dashboards, contribute to insights, and support post-tournament reporting</li> <li>Anticipate and resolve potential delivery challenges, escalating when necessary and implementing mitigation plans</li> <li>Recruit and lead on-the-ground ticketing support teams for event delivery</li> </ul> THE BIGGER TEAM YOU’LL JOIN Recognized as one of the <a href="https://www.octagon.com/news/octagon-selected-to-sports-business-journals-2023-best-places-to-work-in-sports/">“Best Places to Work in Sports”</a>, 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 <ul> <li>5-10 years Extensive Ticket Management experience in major events (FIFA World Cup or Olympics), with a strong eye for detail and precision in high-pressure environments</li> <li>Technically confident with major events ticketing platform (FIFA or Olympics), guests’ registration tools, and data privacy requirements</li> <li>Proven ability to communicate clearly, both in writing and in person with stakeholders at all levels</li> <li>Strong Excel skills, able to build automated files (pivot tables, formulas, advanced data analysis)</li> <li>Comfortable navigating cross-functional teams, clients, and agency partners with diplomacy and ease</li> <li>Highly organized, dependable, and focused; nothing slips through the cracks under your watch</li> <li>Collaborative by nature - you enjoy helping others succeed and thrive in a team-focused culture</li> <li>Open to global travel and flexible work hours, including weekends and later nights as part of the experience</li> <li>Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time</li> <li>Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, and work weekends or holidays as needed. Anticipated travel level: High (45%-75%)</li> </ul> L5: This position pays an annualized rate of $82,000, and is not overtime-eligible 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. #LI-JR1<div>We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at <a href="mailto:JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com" target="_blank">JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com</a>. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. 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