Content & Strategic Partnerships Manager

Cogeco Connexion; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company is seeking a strategic negotiator for content rights acquisition. In this role, you will lead negotiations and develop relations with providers in the US and Canadian markets. Ideal candidates will have at least 10 years of relevant experience, including expertise in content licensing dynamics. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, along with opportunities for career evolution.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Medical coverage

401(k) plan with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in broadcast distribution negotiations.
• Expertise in content licensing and distribution frameworks.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Develop acquisition strategies for content rights across US and Canada.
• Negotiate affiliate and licensing agreements for audio-visual content.
• Recommend rate strategies and packaging options for negotiations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership abilities

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, accounting or relevant field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Our culture lifts you up—there is no ego in the way. Our common purpose? We all want to win for our customers. We aim to always be evolving, dynamic, and ambitious. We believe in the power of genuine connections. Each employee is a part of what makes us unique on the market: agile and dedicated.

About Our Company

Breezeline is a dynamic, innovative company providing the very best Internet, TV, and Voice service to the US markets we serve. We are ‘Above And Beyonders’, who consistently strive to surprise and delight our customers by doing the unexpected. We continually look for new and better ways to enrich our customers’ lives through connected and memorable experiences.

As the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States, Breezeline reaches more than 1.7 million homes and businesses in 13 states with Internet, TV, Voice and fiber services. Headquartered in Quincy, MA, Breezeline is a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX:CCA).

Why Work At Breezeline?

As one of the country’s fast-growing Internet service providers, Breezeline offers our colleagues a vibrant workplace culture and excellent career opportunities. As a proudly diverse and inclusive organization, we believe that every person’s unique individuality should be welcomed and celebrated, and their abilities and potential should be honored and recognized. It is a key part of our culture to actively promote opportunities internally to ensure that you are never static in your career with us.

Internal Values – How we act

We’re proud that Breezeline is unlike any other employer in the industry. We work hard, but we never lose sight of the big picture. We understand that our colleagues are looking for more than just a great job – they want an extraordinary life – and at Breezeline, we want to make that a reality.

And here is how we do it.

Fun: We laugh a lot. It makes every day brighter, and if you don’t love what you do, you’re not doing it right.

Job flexibility: We think everything you do matters – at work and home.

Discounted services: We offer our customers some fantastic services, and we think you deserve to enjoy them in your home, too.

Total Rewards: Let’s be honest, everyone wants to make a good salary. We offer attractive total rewards and a great culture to go along with it. We’ve got you and your family covered with one of the best packages in the business.

Career evolution: At Breezeline, you get more than just a job. You get all the tools you need to learn, grow, and achieve your career goals!

Cutting-edge technology: Do you have a passion for technology? Great, we do, too. At Breezeline, you will get the opportunity to manage, influence, play, create, fix, and re-shape the industry.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Procurement Vice President, the incumbent is responsible for developing the strategy regarding the negotiations for the terms of distribution of television content, including the development and maintenance of relations with television programming companies, audio-visual content providers, studios, distributors, and producers for both the Canadian and U.S. markets, as well as business development within the content ecosystem. The candidate should be well-versed in the television market, including retransmission and carriage agreements, and possess a solid understanding of content licensing dynamics and distribution frameworks across multiple platforms.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategize and lead the acquisition of content rights (linear, non-linear, and multi-platform) across the US and Canada, with a focus on agreement optimization and leveraging deep knowledge of CRTC negotiation practices.
• Lead negotiations for affiliate and licensing agreements to acquire distribution rights for audio-visual content. This includes securing terms for its delivery on all COGECO and Breezeline platforms in both Canada and the US.
• Analyze, develop, and recommend rate strategies and packaging options related to negotiations, including developing scenarios and the financial impacts in support of decisions to minimize the spend.
• Negotiate and understand affiliation agreements and amendments with the support of the Legal Affairs and Regulatory department.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with peers in the industry to establish optimal best practices for comparables and precedents.
• Contribute to various projects and company files that require expertise regarding content, packaging models, contractual and regulatory interpretations.
• Make recommendations to the Product Owner responsible for Content, about new content or agreement renewals concerning the development of television products.
• Manage the process to ensure compliance with all contractual and regulatory obligations for broadcast distribution undertakings across various teams and departments.
• Define and deploy clear negotiation goals and rate optimization in collaboration with Finance, Marketing, and Regulatory.
• Manage and monitor all affiliate agreements.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

ACADEMIC TRAINING

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, accounting or any other relevant university education.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in positions related to negotiating, developing, and maintaining commercial relations in the broadcast distribution undertaking industry.
• Experience in financial analysis, understanding of pricing and distribution strategies
• Expertise in the broader content industry, with a focus on areas like financing, distribution, and emerging platforms (OTT, DTC), is a key asset

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

• Proven analytical, planning and leadership abilities
• Proven ability to influence and lead cross functional teams
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to “think outside of the box” and see the “big picture” impact of decisions and actions.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and regulations is required (i.e. Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting, Distribution Regulations, Copyright Act, Wholesale Code etc.)
• Proven ability to communicate a vision that motivates others and drives action; communicates in a variety of settings clearly, honestly and openly adapting to the audience and message.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, superior interpersonal skills and strong organizational skills
• Business sense and proven ability to negotiate and communicate commercial agreements.
• Self-sufficiency, initiative, judgment and organizational skills.
• Excellent teamwork skills and ability to develop and maintain good relations in sometimes stressful situations.
• Ability to establish good working relationships with others.
• Demonstrated strong sense of ownership and initiative.
• Proven ability to recognize others’ motivations and ambitions; conveys confidence in others by fostering autonomy and responsibility in performing duties and achieving objectives.
• Comfortable with regular senior Business level interactions (VP Level).
• Familiarity with Jira/Confluence tools and Agility practices is a plus.

LOCATION

This position is open to individuals residing within the organization's footprint, which includes the following locations:

• U.S. States: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical coverage (including prescription and vision plans)
• Dental coverage
• Life Insurance (1x salary at no cost to employee)
• Long and short-term disability insurance (no cost to employee)
• Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance
• Company recognized Holidays with additional Floating Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO) programs
• Comprehensive Flex Work Policy
• 401(k) plan eligibility (company match 50% up to 5% of eligible contributions)
• Participation in the Employee Bonus Plan
• Participation in the Cogeco Stock Purchase Plan
• Complimentary and discounted broadband services (for those in our service area)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Headspace Membership
• Betterhelp Membership
• Opportunities for LinkedIn Learning subscriptions for select colleagues

Location: Quincy, MA

At Cogeco, we know that different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs can bring critical value to our business. The strength of this diversity enhances our ability to imagine, innovate, and grow as a company. We are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive world of belonging. If you need accommodations to apply or as part of the recruitment process, please contact us confidentially at [e-mail]