THE JOB // Vice President, Sponsorship Strategy & Insights

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

Our headquarters are 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, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, and Miami, FL. We will also consider a remote-based working arrangement for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours as a prerequisite.

THE WORK YOU'LL DO

We’re looking for a strategic leader who brings intellectual curiosity, analytical rigor, and a passion for understanding fans. You are an expert in uncovering how audiences connect emotionally and behaviorally with sports and translating those insights into actionable strategies that shape brand partnerships and performance. 

You thrive on turning data into meaning. You can synthesize research, analytics, and cultural context to illuminate what matters most to fans and help clients make smarter investment and creative decisions. 

You are energized by collaboration, working across teams and disciplines to ensure that every idea is grounded in evidence and every recommendation drives measurable impact. 

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Lead Fan Insight Development: Design and oversee primary and secondary research initiatives that deepen understanding of fan behavior, motivations, and media consumption patterns across sports and entertainment. 
• Elevate Strategic Rigor: Guide cross-agency teams in developing insight-driven sponsorship and marketing strategies rooted in robust data and analytics. 
• Partnership Optimization: Define how brands should invest across properties, platforms, and experiences to maximize audience engagement, brand relevance, and ROI. 
• Measurement Leadership: Collaborate with analytics and research partners to establish KPIs, measurement frameworks, and post-campaign evaluations that inform future planning. 
• Portfolio Strategy: Evaluate client portfolios holistically, identifying opportunities for rights reallocation, efficiency gains, and expansion into emerging fan touchpoints. 
• Thought Leadership: Create and present category, audience, and cultural insight reports that influence clients and internal teams. 
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Partner with account, creative, and media teams to ensure strategic insights shape planning, activation, and measurement. 
• Property Collaboration: Partner with top sports properties to co-create content on drivers of fandom. 

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 ARE LOOKING FOR

• 10+ years of experience in sports marketing, sponsorship strategy, consumer insights, or research consulting 
• Proven track record of leading research-driven strategies that inform brand or sponsorship decisions 
• Deep understanding of sports audiences and fan culture, with experience in segmentation, valuation, or audience analytics 
• Expertise with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including survey design, segmentation, and brand/fan tracking 
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and strategic implications 
• Experience managing or collaborating within integrated agency teams (IATs) 
• Skilled at executive-level storytelling through data visualization and synthesis, not just creative narrative 
• Strong leadership and mentorship abilities, fostering curiosity and analytical excellence within the team 

The base range for this position is $130,000 - 150,000. 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.