Senior Director, Business Affairs – Original Content

Los Angeles, California
ESPN
The Senior Director, Business Affairs – Original Content, as part of the Original Content department, will be an integral part of the team responsible for setting the structure, negotiation strategy and leading the business relationships for both ESPN’s original content portfolio; specifically related to the development, production, licensing and acquisition of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 series, E60, ESPN Films and ESPN+ Originals as well as our Andscape brand. The position will report to the Vice President, Original Content and Business Affairs. This role is based in Los Angeles, CA, but may also be based in New York, NY or Bristol, CT.

Responsibilities:

• This position will be expected to exercise significant independent judgement, discretion, and decision-making authority to directly handle the evaluating, structuring, negotiating and implementing of a wide range of high visibility, high monetary value agreements, as well as the ongoing relationship and business management of those deals.
• Will work closely with executives within the Programming Acquisitions & Original Content division and across The Walt Disney Company (including Legal, Business Affairs, Finance, Production, Marketing, Ad Sales and Distribution) throughout all stages of a deal, including compiling and prioritizing deal points from the various business units, communicate and champion best practices, and at all times operate in and be a proponent for the best interest of the company.
• 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 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
• Supervise the negotiations of a team of three (3) Directors accountable for production management across the entire portfolio of original content
• Assist in the Business Affairs needs in other areas on an ad hoc basis

Qualifications:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in Legal, including a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Production Legal and/or Business Affairs
• Significant experience with structuring, negotiating, and implementing complex entertainment industry deals

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience structuring, negotiating and implementing entertainment deals (e.g., television and film 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 and promptly; strong issue spotting and 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, high volume, results-oriented work environment

Required Education:

• JD with requisite amount of years in practice

Preferred Education

• JD/MBA

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY is $180,100.00 to $253,000.00 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.