Director, Local Media Distribution

MLB Network; New York (NY); On-site; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exceptional Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage

Company Contributed 401K Plan

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Family Leave Benefits

Disability Benefits

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

MLB Network is looking for a Director to lead distribution and monetization of MLB Media’s local rights. The candidate will be responsible for executing linear and digital distribution deals.

Ideal candidates will have at least 10 years of experience in sports media, strong negotiation skills, and relevant marketing knowledge. Benefits include exceptional medical coverage and a competitive salary range of $145,000 - $160,000.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in virtual/traditional MVPD partnerships and marketing, sports media, or media strategy.
• Experience in local/RSN rights negotiations with MVPDs.
• Strong understanding of deal structuring in sports media.

Responsibilities

• Lead distribution and monetization of MLB Media’s local rights.
• Negotiate and execute linear distribution agreements.
• Develop MLB’s strategy with respect to local rights distribution.

Skills

Deal structuring

Negotiation skills

Marketing knowledge

Partner management

Analytical skills

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance or related field

MBA/JD preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

MLB’s Content Distribution Overview

MLB’s Content Distribution team is responsible for the distribution and monetization of MLB Media’s local rights, MLB’s Direct-to-Consumer products, and MLB/NHL Network across both traditional and digital platforms. We are seeking a candidate at the Director level at MLB Network to lead and support distribution of MLB Media’s growing portfolio of MLB club rights from a partnership management and strategic/deal execution perspective. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in structuring and executing linear and digital distribution deals across both traditional and virtual MVPDs and direct-to-consumer products.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with other members of the Content Distribution team to develop MLB’s ongoing strategy with respect to local rights distribution, including creation of executive-level presentations and research.
• Preparation of deal materials leading up to and throughout key renewals.
• Negotiation and execution of linear distribution agreements with traditional and virtual MVPDs.
• Ongoing fulfillment and support of existing partnerships.
• Day-to-day management of assigned corporate and all regional MVPD accounts.
• Spearhead the planning and governance of OTA promotional game packages, overseeing strategic direction and serving as a liaison between MLB and the MLB local clubs.
• Source new business and distribution opportunities across linear and digital partners.
• Provide analytical support for senior executive team.
• Collaborate closely with MLB Local Media, MLB Network, and NHL Network stakeholders to support and oversee partner-facing initiatives across linear and digital platforms. Serve as a key cross-functional liaison between distribution, marketing, and external partners to review, align on, and approve partner marketing submissions, ensuring consistency with MLB guidelines and brand standards.
• Foster and maintain relationships with marketing/ad sales contacts and decision-makers at corporate, region, division and system levels.
• Work closely with affiliates to help leverage the partnership and maximize promotion, tune-in and awareness of MLB local clubs, MLB Network and NHL Network.
• Strategically develop and execute local ad sales and corporate promotional programs and campaigns to help affiliates maximize value from network.
• Represent company effectively and travel extensively to perform assigned functions at trade shows, conferences, baseball/hockey games, etc.
• Other such duties as required.

Qualifications and Skills

• A minimum of 10+ years of experience in virtual/traditional MVPD partnerships and marketing, sports media, and/or media strategy is required.
• Ability to work in Secaucus, NJ and New York City, NY.
• Experience in local/RSN linear rights negotiations with traditional and virtual MVPDs.
• Strong understanding of and experience with deal structuring within the linear local sports media landscape.
• Prior experience and working knowledge of legal contracts and ability to successfully negotiate deals to completion.
• Strong industry relationships built over years of partner management and deal negotiations.
• Candidate must be proficient in Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess a high level of attention to detail and superior follow up skills.
• Must be available evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Individual must work well in a dynamic environment and be able to recommend and implement process improvements.
• Demonstrate the tact, diplomacy, decisiveness, and superior people skills required in the pressurized environment of the live sports media industry.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced, high-exposure environment.
• Ability to organize and schedule work effectively.
• Ability to work well independently and under time constraints.
• Strong leadership experience.
• Curious businessperson with the ability to develop creative solutions.
• Great teammate with strong project management and organizational skills.
• Positive can-do attitude with demonstrated creativity, initiative and persistence.
• Ability to persuade and resolve problems in a professional manner.
• Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Possess the manual dexterity needed to effectively create required work product.
• Possess the visual acuity needed to effectively create required work product.
• Possess the auditory acuity needed to effectively create required work product.
• Must possess excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Prompt and regular attendance at an assigned work location.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance or related field is required; MBA/JD preferred.

Position Reports to

• Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing

Pay Range

$145,000 - $160,000

Benefits

• Exceptional Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• Company Contributed 401K Plan
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Family Leave Benefits
• Discounts at MLB Store | MLBShop.com
• Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity

MLB Network is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We also only consider qualified applicants’ criminal histories when required by legal requirements.