VP, Strategy & Business Development

The Vice President Strategy & Business Development leads the identification evaluation negotiation and execution of organic and inorganic growth opportunities that expand NESN & SportsNet Pittsburghs (SNP) reach revenue and relevance across a rapidly changing sports media landscape. Reporting to the Chief Marketing & Digital Officer with a dotted line to the Chief Executive Officer this leader is responsible for building a disciplined data-informed pipeline of strategic commercial opportunities non-traditional distribution and carriage arrangements direct-to-consumer growth content and rights partnerships adjacent-market ventures and strategic alliances.

This is a builders role. The successful candidate brings a demonstrated record of sourcing and closing complex deals in sports media or broadcasting; the analytical rigor to separate real opportunity from noise; and the executive presence and relationships to represent NESN & SNP credibly with team ownership league offices partners and agencies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategy & Opportunity Development

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to define and refine the Networks growth strategy translating enterprise priorities into a prioritized set of actionable corporate and business development initiatives.
• Continuously scan the sports media and technology landscape to identify emerging revenue models distribution channels content formats and partnership opportunities.
• Maintain and manage a documented stage-gated pipeline of opportunities with clear ownership probability weighting and expected value.

Deal Origination & Execution

• Source structure negotiate and close strategic commercial agreements including DTC and streaming partnerships content licensing and rights arrangements and joint ventures.
• Source prioritize and make the investment case for strategic acquisition opportunities to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Lead deal teams end to end: modeling diligence term sheet development negotiation strategy and coordination with external partners Legal Finance Programming Ad Sales and Engineering through execution and handoff to operations.
• Own post-close performance tracking against the business case and lead renegotiation divestment or restructuring where there is underperformance.

Analysis & Business Casing

• Build and pressure-test financial models market sizing and scenario analyses that quantify revenue margin and strategic impact.
• Prepare and present investment-grade recommendations to the CEO executive team and Board of Directors with clearly articulated assumptions risks sensitivities and alternatives.
• Establish the analytical standards templates and evaluation criteria the organization uses to assess opportunities consistently.

Relationship & Market Leadership

• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Network with leagues teams ownership groups distributors agencies brands technology platforms and the broader sports media community.
• Cultivate and maintain an active network of senior industry relationships that generates proprietary deal flow.
• Represent the Network at industry conferences league meetings and partner forums.

Leadership & Team Development

• Model collaborative cross-functional leadership; influence effectively without direct authority across Programming Ad Sales Marketing Digital Finance and Operations.
• Contribute to enterprise decisions beyond the scope of this function.

Qualifications:

Required

• 10 years of progressive experience in business development corporate development strategic partnerships or commercial strategy including at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
• Substantive experience in sports broadcasting media or entertainment with working fluency in rights distribution economics audience measurement and the regional sports network business model.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in business finance or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated personal record of originating negotiating and closing complex commercial transactions candidates should be prepared to speak in detail to deals they sourced structured and brought to close and to the value those deals delivered.
• Advanced financial modeling and quantitative analysis skills; ability to build a defensible business case from ambiguous inputs and communicate it clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Proven credibility with C-suite executives ownership groups and boards; a confident articulate and composed presence in high-stakes negotiations and public-facing settings.
• An established network of senior relationships across the sports and media ecosystem.
  

Preferred

• Management consulting or investment banking experience particularly with media sports or telecommunications clients.
• Direct experience with DTC/streaming launch or scaling carriage negotiations or league and team rights agreements.
• Experience in a regional or mid-market media environment where leaders operate with lean resources and broad scope.

The expected salary range for this position is $253000 to $339000 annually. The final offer will be determined by a variety of factors including the candidates experience knowledge skills and internal equity.

We believe that when team members feel supported they are more engaged productive and innovative. If youre looking for a workplace that celebrates people and their personal and professional growth youve come to the right place.

Some of the benefits we provide include:

• Medical and Dental plans which are currently funded by NESN at approximately 85%
• Pre-Tax HSA FSA and Dependent Care Account
• 401(k) plan with employer match of 100% up to the first 6% of compensation 3% contribution through Safe Harbor and discretionary profit sharing of up to 6%.
• Life Insurance AD&D Short and Long-Term Disability which are currently 100% funded by NESN
• Paid parental leave
• Time Off Benefits - Eligible NESN Employees accrue Paid Time Off equaling 160 hours or 20 days for the full year
• Team Store Discounts - Employees will receive a discount of 50% at the Red Sox Team Store and 25% off at the Bruins Pro Shop with a valid NESN Employee ID
• Paid Volunteerism - NESN provides eligible employees with up to 24 hours (3 days) of paid time to participate in NESN Connects events.
• Tuition Reimbursement - NESN provides a generous Tuition Reimbursement Program to assist employees who aspire to further their education to learn & grow within their careers.
• MBTA Reimbursement - Eligible employees may be reimbursed up to $100 per month for the use of Mass Transit if it is their primary mode of transportation to & from work
• Travel Assistance & ID Theft Protection
• Estate Guidance - The Hartford helps employees protect their familys future by creating a customized and legally binding will online using a simple but comprehensive online questionnaire.
• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts - As a NESN employee you are eligible for other discounts & perks such as pet insurance tickets travel dry cleaning mobile phones and much more!
  

Who We Are

NESN (New England Sports Network) is owned by Fenway Sports Group which also owns the Boston Red Sox among other holdings and Delaware North owners of the Boston Bruins. NESN is delivered throughout the six-state New England region and nationally as NESN National. The definitive source for New England sports programming NESN consistently has been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with a reputation for innovative and award-winning production of sports events and specials.

As of 2023 NESN manages SportsNet Pittsburgh a newly branded regional sports network that televises Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates games as well as local college sports original content and more in PA WV and portions of MD OH and NY.

Our professional environment is passionate adaptable creative and filled with aspiring individuals who are driven to grow with our company. Our core values are at the heart of who we are. We have a spontaneous and vibrant culture and we truly believe in team spirit and collaboration.

NESN is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) committed to fostering a diverse inclusive and equitable workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy national origin age disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law.

NESN is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please contact our HR team at or .

NESN participates in the E-Verify program a service of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful completion of the E-Verify process. Learn more at .