Experiential Director (Events)

OAG Octagon•Charlotte, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Octagon is seeking an Experiential Director to join their Events Team. This role is responsible for the production, fabrication, and execution of world-class events and experiences. The Experiential Director will be the day-to-day lead for all production-related activities, bringing creative concepts to life through exceptional planning, vendor management, fabrication oversight, and onsite execution. This individual will oversee the sourcing, negotiation, and implementation of critical event elements including audiovisual production, staging, scenic fabrication, signage, furniture, custom builds, and interactive experiences. Working collaboratively with clients, account teams, creatives, and external partners, this individual will lead projects from initial brief through post-event recap, ensuring a seamless process from concept development and design execution to staffing, logistics, budget management, and onsite delivery. Beyond individual event leadership, the Experiential Director will play a vital role in shaping and elevating production excellence across Octagon's Events Team by establishing scalable processes, standardizing production and fabrication practices, cultivating vendor partnerships, and driving operational consistency across a diverse portfolio of experiences. Success in this position will be through collaboration with the larger Events Team and will include the management of client communication and workflow, prioritization of project tasks, working under pressure and leading the successful activation of programming in a deadline-oriented environment. This role will be integral in continuing to grow the team of event production experts, while taking on a lead role in a variety of new and exciting projects. The ideal candidate is an experienced event producer who thrives in fast-paced environments, possesses deep production expertise, and is equally comfortable managing high-level strategy and hands-on execution.

Requirements

6-10 years of work experience in event production or experiential marketing
Proficiency in driving business forward and adjusting approach based on timelines and project demands
Ability to take on a leadership role, while working well within a team-centric environment
Outstanding communicator both in persuasive and concise speech and written documents/ communication
Proactive, solution-oriented thinker and doer
Leading and prioritizing multiple projects with varying timelines and needs
Ability to “zoom in’ to figure out complex logistical problems with team members, then “zoom out” to understand big picture strategy and inform leadership
Willingness to work non-traditional event hours and travel for work
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially PowerPoint
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for up to or more than 8 hours at a time
Flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and work weekends or holidays as needed.

Nice To Haves

A passion for and expertise in event operations and logistics, such as business conferences, tradeshows and conventions, B2B events, sports, entertainment, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture

Responsibilities

Work in collaboration with Events Team on programs as lead producer
Collaborate with a variety of specialty groups within Octagon (creative, client services, digital, etc.) taking the lead as experiential or event production expert
Work on a variety of programs and projects, large and small, with both new and existing client relationships
Comfortable with hiring, leading, and maintaining positive relationships with vendors and partners for any items related to production and audio visual
Host client and inter-agency calls during planning, providing strategy and recommendations while keeping an organized, efficient staffing plan
Lead on-site staff and partners at events and activations
Collaborate on program budgets – including tracking expenses, forecasting cost, and identifying efficiencies – while ensuring adherence to client guidelines
Lead and support brainstorms and thought leadership projects