Director, Creator Partnerships

AC Lion Digital Executive Search; New York (NY); Remote; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AC Lion Digital Executive Search is seeking a Director, Creator Partnerships & Business Development to drive commercial growth in the creator economy. The role focuses on building relationships with talent agencies, content owners, and distribution partners to expand revenue streams and strategic collaborations.

You’ll shape initiatives, evaluate new platforms and monetization opportunities, and support a lean, entrepreneurial team.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, sales, or account management within digital media, entertainment, content distribution, or the creator economy.
• Strong understanding of the creator ecosystem and how creators, talent representatives, content owners, and digital platforms work together.
• Demonstrated ability to originate business opportunities, develop relationships, and negotiate commercial partnerships.
• Existing relationships with talent agencies, creator management companies, digital platforms, or other industry stakeholders are highly desirable.
• Experience identifying new revenue opportunities, developing go-to-market strategies, or launching commercial partnerships.
• Some experience leading, coaching, or mentoring others, with potential to take on broader team leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive commercial growth by cultivating relationships with talent agencies, creator management companies, content owners, and industry partners.
• Expand strategic partnerships across the digital media ecosystem to generate revenue opportunities.
• Shape new business initiatives by evaluating emerging platforms and monetization models from concept to launch.
• Support sales performance by strengthening prospecting strategies, deal execution, and overall commercial effectiveness.
• Guide key client relationships with strategic support on negotiations, renewals, and account expansion.
• Improve commercial processes by streamlining workflows and enhancing cross-team collaboration.
• Represent the business externally at industry events, networking, and strategic conversations.

Skills

Business development

Strategic partnerships

Relationship building

Negotiation

Sales leadership

Job description

ROLE: Director, Creator Partnerships & Business Development (not Marketing)

Company Type: Creator Economy | Digital Media & Content Monetization

Location: Remote, US | NYC & LA strongly preferred, other locations considered

Compensation: $130K–$150K base + bonus, commensurate with experience

The Opportunity

We're partnering with a growing digital media business operating at the intersection of the creator economy, content distribution, and monetization.

The company works with established digital creators and content owners to unlock new audiences and revenue streams, helping them maximize the value of their content across an evolving landscape of social, digital, and streaming platforms.

With an established client base, strong industry relationships, and an expanding portfolio of commercial opportunities, the business is looking to bring on a Director, Strategic Partnerships to help accelerate its next phase of growth.

This is an opportunity for a commercially minded, entrepreneurial relationship builder who wants to move beyond managing individual partnerships and have a meaningful impact on business strategy, revenue growth, and team development.

What You'll Do

• Drive commercial growth: Develop new business opportunities by cultivating relationships with talent agencies, creator management companies, content owners, and other industry partners.
• Expand strategic partnerships: Build relationships across the digital media ecosystem, identifying potential distribution partners and new opportunities to generate revenue.
• Shape new business initiatives: Evaluate emerging platforms, monetization models, and market opportunities, helping bring new commercial offerings from concept to launch.
• Support sales performance: Work alongside a team responsible for acquiring and growing creator partnerships, strengthening prospecting strategies, deal execution, and overall commercial effectiveness.
• Guide key client relationships: Provide strategic support on important partnership negotiations, renewals, account expansion opportunities, and complex relationship challenges.
• Improve commercial processes: Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen collaboration across teams, and allow commercial employees to focus on higher-value activities.
• Represent the business externally: Develop a meaningful presence within the creator economy through industry events, networking, agency relationships, and strategic conversations.

What We're Looking For

• 5–7+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, sales, or account management within digital media, entertainment, content distribution, or the creator economy.
• Strong understanding of the creator ecosystem, including how creators, talent representatives, content owners, and digital platforms work together.
• Demonstrated ability to originate business opportunities, develop relationships, and negotiate commercial partnerships rather than simply manage existing accounts.
• Existing relationships with talent agencies, creator management companies, digital platforms, or other relevant industry stakeholders are highly desirable.
• Experience identifying new revenue opportunities, developing go-to-market strategies, or launching commercial partnerships.
• Some experience leading, coaching, or mentoring others, with the potential to take on broader team leadership responsibilities.
• Strong commercial judgment, strategic thinking, and the ability to operate independently.
• An outgoing, proactive relationship builder who enjoys networking, opening doors, and representing a business externally.
• Comfortable working in a lean, entrepreneurial environment where priorities evolve and individuals are expected to be both strategic and hands-on.

Why This Opportunity?

• Serve as a visible ambassador: representing the business at industry events, speaking on panels, and building relationships with key players across the creator, talent, and digital media ecosystems.
• Broader commercial influence: Work closely with senior leadership and play a meaningful role in shaping growth strategy and business development.
• High-impact partnerships: Build relationships across the creator, talent agency, digital media, and distribution ecosystems.
• Opportunity to build: Help develop new revenue streams, commercial offerings, and strategic partnerships as the business expands.
• Leadership growth: Contribute to the development of an existing commercial team while taking on increasing responsibility.
• Entrepreneurial environment: Join a growing organization where initiative, creativity, and strong relationships can directly influence business outcomes.