📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Creative Director (Concepting)
🔹 Company: Octagon
🔹 Location: Flexible (Priority given to hybrid work in Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, or Atlanta, GA. Remote-based working arrangement also considered for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours.)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Creative
🔹 Date Posted: July 2, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days per week in office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing bold, innovative ideas and branded content for clients' sports programs and partnerships.
- Collaborating with designers and writers to bring concepts to life across various mediums.
- Creating authentic concepts that resonate with sports fans and deliver on business objectives.
- Working in a collaborative environment and contributing to team-based concept development.
- Leveraging a deep understanding of sports culture and fan insights to drive creative ideation.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong conceptual thinker with a passion for sports and a proven track record in creative agencies.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and executing creative concepts for clients' sports programs and partnerships.
✅ Collaborating with designers, writers, and other stakeholders to bring ideas to life across various mediums.
✅ Presenting and selling creative ideas to clients and other stakeholders.
✅ Staying up-to-date with sports trends, fan behavior, and industry best practices.
✅ Contributing to team-based concept development and ongoing delivery of fresh ideas.
ASSUMPTION: The role may require occasional travel to client sites or industry events.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Advertising, Marketing, or a related discipline) or equivalent experience.
Experience: At least 5-8 years of agency experience, with a focus on creative concepting and copywriting.
Required Skills:
- Proven conceptual and tactical copywriting experience.
- Strong understanding of sports culture and fan behavior.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Experience in team-based concept development and delivery of fresh ideas.
- Proficiency in using creative software tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office).
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with sports brands or properties.
- Fluency in additional languages.
- Experience with data-driven creative strategies.
ASSUMPTION: A current and review-ready portfolio showcasing conceptual and copywriting skills is required for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 per year. The final offer will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, and market considerations.
Benefits:
- Unlimited PTO policy.
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with FSA/HSA and Dependent Care FSA options, as well as pet insurance.
- Generous family and parental leave policy (12 weeks).
- Access to 401K program with company match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
- Pretax transportation/commuter benefits and parent travel program.
- Dedicated mental health resources, including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (CCA).
- Discount portal for everyday goods and services.
- Employee resource groups and inclusive diversity programming and initiatives.
Working Hours: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days per week in the office).
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 1983
Company Description:
- Octagon is a global agency specializing in sports, entertainment, and culture.
- The company offers creative marketing and sponsorship consulting services, as well as athlete and personality representation and management.
- Octagon works with hundreds of blue-chip corporate clients, over 1,000 athletes and personalities, and manages more than 10,000 events per year.
Company Specialties:
- Sports marketing
- Entertainment marketing
- Talent representation and management
Company Website: www.octagon.com
ASSUMPTION: Octagon's extensive experience and global presence make it an attractive employer for creative professionals seeking to work in the sports and entertainment industries.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative Director and works closely with other creative teams, designers, writers, and account managers.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days per week in the office, with the option to work remotely for the remaining days).
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior creative director role.
- Expansion into other areas of the business, such as account management or strategy.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile clients and projects.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to take on more responsibility and advance their career within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)
Office Location(s): Stamford, CT, New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, or Atlanta, GA (with remote-based working arrangement considered for qualified candidates with East Coast working hours).
Geographic Context:
- Stamford, CT: A suburban city located approximately 30 miles from New York City, offering a mix of urban and suburban living.
- New York, NY: A major global city with diverse cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities.
- Charlotte, NC: A rapidly growing city with a strong sports culture and a lower cost of living compared to the East Coast.
- Los Angeles, CA: A major global city with a thriving entertainment industry and a diverse cultural scene.
- Chicago, IL: A major Midwestern city with a rich sports history and a vibrant cultural scene.
- Atlanta, GA: A major Southern city with a growing tech industry and a diverse cultural scene.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days per week in the office).
ASSUMPTION: The flexible work arrangement and multiple office locations cater to candidates seeking a balance between urban and suburban living, as well as those who prefer a remote-based working environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager.
- In-person or virtual creative presentation and portfolio review with the creative team.
- Final interview with the creative director and other stakeholders.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of sports culture and fan behavior.
- Collaboration and communication skills.
- Portfolio and work samples that demonstrate strong conceptual and copywriting skills.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your conceptual and copywriting skills, with a focus on sports-related work if available.
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of sports culture and fan behavior, as well as your approach to creative problem-solving.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to express your interest in the role.
ATS Keywords: Conceptual, creative director, sports marketing, entertainment marketing, copywriting, brand strategy, fan engagement, sports culture, team-based concept development
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's conceptual thinking, understanding of sports culture, and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in using creative software tools and project management platforms is required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Playmakers: Finding insightful, bold ways to create play in our work, our lives, and in the world.
- Fan-centric: Putting ourselves in the shoes of fans to continually evolve the fan experience across sports and entertainment.
- Collaborative: Working together to bring ideas to life and deliver exceptional results for our clients and talent.
- Inclusive: Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Work Style:
- Creative and innovative.
- Collaborative and team-oriented.
- Adaptable and responsive to change.
- Data-driven and strategic in approach.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a deep understanding of sports culture and fan behavior?
- Are you able to think conceptually and sell ideas to clients and other stakeholders?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid or remote-based arrangement?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Octagon's values and work style, and who are comfortable working in a hybrid or remote-based arrangement, will be the best fit for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Working with diverse clients and stakeholders, each with their unique brand voice and objectives.
- Keeping up-to-date with industry trends, fan behavior, and best practices in sports marketing and entertainment.
- Balancing creative concepting with tactical copywriting and design tasks.
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining productivity in an office environment.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to time management.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Copywriter or Associate Creative Director role in a traditional advertising agency, but with a focus on sports and entertainment marketing.
- Compared to other creative roles, this position offers a unique blend of conceptual thinking, copywriting, and industry-specific knowledge of sports culture and fan behavior.
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior creative director or account management positions within the agency.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in sports marketing, entertainment marketing, or related fields may find this role particularly appealing due to its industry focus and unique blend of creative and strategic responsibilities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy and creative concept for a major sports league's digital and social media presence.
- Creating a high-impact, fan-engaging activation for a global sports brand's sponsorship of a major sporting event.
- Designing and writing a long-form content series for a sports-focused streaming platform, highlighting the stories and achievements of athletes and teams.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of creative and strategic responsibilities required for this role, as well as the opportunity to work on high-profile clients and projects.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the creative department?
- How does the agency support the growth and development of its creative talent?
- What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working on sports and entertainment marketing campaigns?
- How does the agency approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its creative work and internal culture?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other departments within the agency?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the work environment, team dynamics, and growth opportunities within the agency.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on conceptual and copywriting work samples.
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your conceptual and copywriting skills, with a focus on sports-related work if available.
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of sports culture and fan behavior, as well as your approach to creative problem-solving during the interview.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
