Executive Director, Business Development - NYT Wirecutter

Thenewyorktimes; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) plan with company matching

Paid vacation and parental leave

Job summary

Thenewyorktimes is seeking an Executive Director of Business Development to drive new deals and revenue streams at Wirecutter. This hybrid role focuses on defining strategy, building relationships, and leading a high-performing team, collaborating with diverse functions across the company.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in business development, proven leadership abilities, and a track record of successfully closing complex deals. Benefits include a competitive salary range and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in business development, ideally in digital media or tech.
• 5+ years leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience closing complex, multi-party deals.

Responsibilities

• Define the business development strategy and KPIs.
• Build senior-level relationships to generate qualified leads.
• Lead a diverse, high-performing team.

Skills

Business development experience

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Deal negotiation

Team leadership

Job description

About the Role

Wirecutter is a product review website owned by The New York Times Company that rigorously tests consumer products and recommends the best items in a range of categories. We are a group of experts and fanatics who love what we do, and our readers appreciate our integrity and editorial independence. Wirecutter has built a tremendous business on an affiliate model, growing audience and revenue year over year.

Wirecutter is looking for an Executive Director of Business Development to lead a high‑impact business development function that unlocks the next generation of deals, partnerships, and revenue streams.

This executive director will be a builder and an operator: you will define the strategy for the Business Development function, originate and close deals, and create the structures that allow the team to consistently surface, evaluate, and execute net‑new opportunities across our revenue lines. You will focus on net‑new opportunities, as well as new models within our existing businesses.

You will report to the Vice President, Revenue, NYT Wirecutter and will be a member of Wirecutter’s revenue leadership team, working with colleagues across Wirecutter and The New York Times Company.

This hybrid position is based in the New York office.

Responsibilities

Set the business development vision and strategy; ensure accountability

• Define the strategy, scope, and success measures for Wirecutter’s Business Development function across affiliate, advertising, licensing, e‑commerce, and emerging businesses.
• Build a clear framework and opportunity pipeline that prioritizes opportunities by revenue impact, strategic value, audience impact, and operational complexity.
• Define, track, and communicate clear KPIs and performance metrics that quantify the impact of business development activities on revenue and strategic goals.

Build deep business relationships and lead generation

• Build and own senior‑level relationships that generate qualified leads and unlock net‑new, strategically important opportunities and deal flow for Wirecutter.
• Act as a visible commercial ambassador for Wirecutter, using external forums, partner meetings, and industry conversations to strengthen relationships, expand the network, and maintain an opportunity pipeline.

Lead a high‑performing team and inclusive culture

• Lead a diverse, high‑performing team that is directly accountable for ambitious revenue, profitability, and strategic impact goals across Wirecutter’s business.
• Foster an inclusive, mission‑driven culture where people are supported and challenged to do the best work of their careers, with clear feedback, development, and recognition practices.

Lead deal origination and partner with internal execution teams

• Oversee the full deal lifecycle, from sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and handoff to operating teams.
• Maintain a high‑quality pipeline of partners.

Guide cross‑functional and enterprise collaboration

• Collaborate with product, design, engineering, legal, finance and analytics to unlock new commercial models. Advocate for business development priorities with internal groups.
• Partner with broader NYT teams on integrated, enterprise partnerships where Wirecutter is a key driver.
• Protect editorial independence and reader trust while shaping compelling business opportunities.

Basic Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, corporate development, or related fields, with significant experience in digital media, commerce, platforms, or related technology‑driven businesses.
• Deep existing industry relationships and the ability to build and manage external relationships that unlock new opportunities.
• 5+ years leading and developing high‑performing BD or partnerships teams, managing people, including managers and senior individual contributors, ideally in matrixed or multi‑business environments.
• Demonstrated track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing complex, multi‑party deals that drive meaningful revenue and strategic value—including hybrid or multi‑line partnerships (e.g., combinations of affiliate, advertising, licensing, and/or e‑commerce).
• Experience launching new revenue streams or business lines from concept through pilot to scale, ideally in environments where business models are evolving or diversifying.
• Strong fluency in deal economics and financial modeling (e.g., P&L impact, scenario analysis, unit economics, risk/return considerations), and comfort partnering with Finance on multi‑year business cases.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and building structure where none exists; able to balance long‑term vision with near‑term execution and revenue delivery.
• Exceptional relationship builder and communicator, with experience earning trust and influencing at the C‑suite level, both internally and externally.
• You care deeply about protecting Wirecutter’s editorial independence and reader trust while unlocking ambitious, mutually beneficial commercial opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications

• A creative visionary who can identify and ideate opportunities that will create shared value for Wirecutter, our partners and our readers alike.
• A strategic thinker who can see the full Wirecutter and NYT portfolio, identify leverage points across affiliate, advertising, licensing, and e‑commerce, and design partnerships that unlock value at their intersections.
• Strong cross‑functional collaborator who has successfully partnered with editorial/content, product, engineering, marketing, analytics, and finance teams in mission‑driven organizations.
• Deep curiosity about the evolving commerce, media, and content landscape, and a track record of staying ahead of market shifts and emerging models (e.g., retail media, creator and platform ecosystems, AI‑driven discovery and shopping).
• Commitment to building an inclusive team culture where diverse perspectives are sought out and can meaningfully influence strategy and execution.

Benefits & Compensation

Annual base pay range: $180,000 — $220,000 USD. For U.S. roles, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, a company‑matching 401(k) plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and professional development programs.

For non‑U.S. roles, benefit details will be provided during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. We embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here.

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