Director, Business Affairs

1 Week ago • 7 Years + • Business Development • $124,886 PA - $175,400 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

The Director, Business Affairs – Original Content at ESPN is responsible for negotiating and managing business relationships for ESPN's original content portfolio, including development, production, licensing, and acquisition. This role requires significant independent judgment and decision-making in structuring and implementing various agreements. The position involves close collaboration with executives across different divisions within ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, including legal, finance, production, and marketing teams. Responsibilities also include managing business aspects of original content, tentpole events, and distribution rights, advising senior executives, and providing support in other areas as needed. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in legal and/or business affairs within a major media company, strong negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the digital media landscape.
Must have:
  • 7+ years experience in media business affairs
  • Entertainment deal structuring & negotiation
  • Digital media and direct-to-consumer experience
  • Strong analytical, writing, and negotiation skills
  • Exceptional organizational and time management skills
Good to have:
  • JD degree
  • Experience with global content exploitation
Perks:
  • Bonus
  • Long-term incentive units
  • Full range of medical, financial, and other benefits

Job Details

Job Summary:

The Director, Business Affairs – Original Content, as part of the Original Content department, will be responsible for upholding the structure, negotiation strategy and business relationships for ESPN’s original content portfolio; specifically related to the development, production, licensing and acquisition of ESPN’s internal productions, as well as its award-winning 30 for 30 series, ESPN Films and ESPN Originals. The position will report to the Senior Director, Business Affairs – Original Content.

Responsibilities:

  • Be expected to exercise significant independent judgement, discretion, and decision-making authority to directly evaluate, structure, negotiate and implement a wide range of agreements, as well as the ongoing relationship and business management of those deals.
  • Work closely with executives within the Programming Acquisitions & Original Content divisions and across The Walt Disney Company (including Legal, Business Affairs, Finance, Production, Marketing, Ad Sales and Distribution) throughout all stages of the content, including compiling and prioritizing deal points from the various business units, communicating and championing best practices, and at all times operating in and being a proponent for the best interests of the company.
  • Help manage business aspect of original content, tent pole events & ancillary areas, such as: distribution rights and clearance issues that may arise in connection with the development, production, acquisition and exploitation of content across ESPN, The Walt Disney Company and third-party platforms; advising and supporting senior executives on key business issues and rights matters and on global content exploitation deals and strategy.
  • Assist with Business Affairs needs in other areas on an ad hoc basis.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in Legal and/or Business Affairs for a major media company, league or other sports entity.
  • Experience structuring, negotiating, drafting and implementing entertainment deals (e.g., production, acquisition, distribution, digital, emerging businesses, etc.).
  • Experience in the digital media and/or direct to consumer space.
  • Superior analytical and writing skills and ability, together with strong business and financial acumen.
  • Strong negotiation skills, both as an individual and with a team.
  • Ability to strategize and think creatively; strong problem solving skills required.
  • Exceptional organizational, prioritization and time management skills with the ability to juggle multiple, high-priority projects, with a keen attention to detail.
  • Knowledge and understanding of digital media initiatives, platforms, products and services (streaming, distribution models and platforms, etc.) and the entertainment industry generally.
  • Professional, confident demeanor and a team player.
  • Ability to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent, sound judgment.
  • Must excel in a fast-paced, results-oriented work environment.

Required Education

  • College degree

Preferred Education

  • JD degree

#ESPNMedia


The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $124,886 to $167,530 per year and in New York, NY is $130,800 to $175,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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