VP, Strategy & Business Development

NESN LTD; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 253,000 - 339,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental plans (NESN funded

Pre-Tax HSA/FSA

401(k) employer match

Paid parental leave

Paid time off 160 hours

Tuition reimbursement

MBTA reimbursement

Travel assistance

Job summary

NESN LTD in Watertown, MA seeks a VP of Strategy & Business Development to lead growth opportunities across sports media. You will identify, evaluate, negotiate, and execute deals, including DTC and streaming partnerships, with a data-driven approach and executive-level stakeholder engagement.

The role requires 10+ years in business or corporate development, plus an MBA or equivalent. You will manage cross-functional teams and report to the CEO and Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, with

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development or corporate development with senior leadership.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
• Experience in sports, broadcasting, media, or entertainment.
• Ability to originate, structure, negotiate, and close complex deals.

Responsibilities

• Define and refine NESN's growth strategy with the CEO and executive team.
• Scan sports/media/tech landscape for revenue models and partnerships.
• Maintain a stage-gated pipeline with ownership and EV estimates.
• Source, structure, negotiate, and close strategic agreements including DTC and streaming.
• Lead deal teams through modeling, diligence, term sheets, and negotiations.
• Track post-close performance and renegotiate when underperformance occurs.
• Build financial models and market analyses to support recommendations.
• Present investment-grade proposals to the CEO, exec team, and Board.
• Develop standards for evaluating opportunities and decision criteria.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Deal negotiation

Executive presence

Financial modeling

Stakeholder management

Education

MBA or equivalent

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

VP, Strategy & Business Development

Regular Full-Time Watertown, MA, US

The Vice President, Strategy & Business Development leads the identification, evaluation, negotiation, and execution of organic and inorganic growth opportunities that expand NESN & SportsNet Pittsburgh’s (SNP) reach, revenue, and relevance across a rapidly changing sports media landscape. Reporting to the Chief Marketing & Digital Officer with a dotted line to the Chief Executive Officer, this leader is responsible for building a disciplined, data-informed pipeline of strategic commercial opportunities — non-traditional distribution and carriage arrangements, direct-to-consumer growth, content and rights partnerships, adjacent-market ventures, and strategic alliances.

This is a builder's role. The successful candidate brings a demonstrated record of sourcing and closing complex deals in sports, media, or broadcasting; the analytical rigor to separate real opportunity from noise; and the executive presence and relationships to represent NESN & SNP credibly with team ownership, league offices, partners and agencies.

Strategy & Opportunity Development

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to define and refine the Network's growth strategy, translating enterprise priorities into a prioritized set of actionable corporate and business development initiatives.
• Continuously scan the sports, media, and technology landscape to identify emerging revenue models, distribution channels, content formats, and partnership opportunities.
• Maintain and manage a documented, stage-gated pipeline of opportunities with clear ownership, probability weighting, and expected value.

Deal Origination & Execution

• Source, structure, negotiate, and close strategic commercial agreements including DTC and streaming partnerships, content licensing and rights arrangements, and joint ventures.
• Source, prioritize, and make the investment case for strategic acquisition opportunities to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Lead deal teams end to end: modeling, diligence, term sheet development, negotiation strategy, and coordination with external partners, Legal, Finance, Programming, Ad Sales, and Engineering through execution and handoff to operations.
• Own post-close performance tracking against the business case, and lead renegotiation, divestment, or restructuring where there is underperformance.

Analysis & Business Casing

• Build and pressure-test financial models, market sizing, and scenario analyses that quantify revenue, margin, and strategic impact.
• Prepare and present investment-grade recommendations to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors, with clearly articulated assumptions, risks, sensitivities, and alternatives.
• Establish the analytical standards, templates, and evaluation criteria the organization uses to assess opportunities consistently.

Relationship & Market Leadership

• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Network with leagues, teams, ownership groups, distributors, agencies, brands, technology platforms, and the broader sports media community.
• Cultivate and maintain an active network of senior industry relationships that generates proprietary deal flow.
• Represent the Network at industry conferences, league meetings, and partner forums.

Leadership & Team Development

• Model collaborative, cross-functional leadership; influence effectively without direct authority across Programming, Ad Sales, Marketing, Digital, Finance, and Operations.
• Contribute to enterprise decisions beyond the scope of this function.

Qualifications:

Required

• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, corporate development, strategic partnerships, or commercial strategy, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
• Substantive experience in sports, broadcasting, media, or entertainment, with working fluency in rights, distribution economics, audience measurement, and the regional sports network business model.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in business, finance, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated personal record of originating, negotiating, and closing complex commercial transactions — candidates should be prepared to speak in detail to deals they sourced, structured, and brought to close, and to the value those deals delivered.
• Advanced financial modeling and quantitative analysis skills; ability to build a defensible business case from ambiguous inputs and communicate it clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Proven credibility with C-suite executives, ownership groups, and boards; a confident, articulate, and composed presence in high-stakes negotiations and public-facing settings.
• An established network of senior relationships across the sports and media ecosystem.

Preferred

• Management consulting or investment banking experience, particularly with media, sports, or telecommunications clients.
• Direct experience with DTC/streaming launch or scaling, carriage negotiations, or league and team rights agreements.
• Experience in a regional or mid-market media environment where leaders operate with lean resources and broad scope.

The expected salary range for this position is $253,000 to $339,000 annually. The final offer will be determined by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, knowledge, skills, and internal equity.

We believe that when team members feel supported, they are more engaged, productive, and innovative. If you're looking for a workplace that celebrates people and their personal and professional growth, you've come to the right place.

Some of the benefits we provide include:

• Medical and Dental plans which are currently funded by NESN at approximately 85%
• Pre-Tax HSA, FSA and Dependent Care Account
• 401(k) plan with employer match of 100% up to the first 6% of compensation, 3% contribution through Safe Harbor and discretionary profit sharing of up to 6%.
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability which are currently 100% funded by NESN
• Paid parental leave
• Time Off Benefits - Eligible NESN Employees accrue Paid Time Off equaling 160 hours or 20 days for the full year
• Team Store Discounts - Employees will receive a discount of 50% at the Red Sox Team Store and 25% off at the Bruins Pro Shop with a valid NESN Employee ID
• Paid Volunteerism - NESN provides eligible employees with up to 24 hours (3 days) of paid time to participate in NESN Connects events.
• Tuition Reimbursement - NESN provides a generous Tuition Reimbursement Program to assist employees who aspire to further their education to learn & grow within their careers.
• MBTA Reimbursement - Eligible employees may be reimbursed up to $100 per month for the use of Mass Transit if it is their primary mode of transportation to & from work
• Travel Assistance & ID Theft Protection
• Estate Guidance - The Hartford helps employees protect their family’s future by creating a customized and legally binding will online using a simple but comprehensive online questionnaire.
• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts - As a NESN employee, you are eligible for other discounts & perks such as pet insurance, tickets, travel, dry cleaning, mobile phones, and much more!

Who We Are

NESN (New England Sports Network) is owned by Fenway Sports Group, which also owns the Boston Red Sox among other holdings, and Delaware North, owners of the Boston Bruins. NESN is delivered throughout the six-state New England region and nationally as NESN National. The definitive source for New England sports programming, NESN consistently has been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country, with a reputation for innovative and award-winning production of sports events and specials.

As of 2023, NESN manages SportsNet Pittsburgh, a newly branded regional sports network that televises Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates games, as well as local college sports, original content and more in PA, WV, and portions of MD, OH and NY.

Our professional environment is passionate, adaptable, creative, and filled with aspiring individuals who are driven to grow with our company. Our core values are at the heart of who we are. We have a spontaneous and vibrant culture, and we truly believe in team spirit and collaboration.

NESN is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

NESN is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact our HR team at [e-mail] or 617-536-9233.

NESN participates in the E-Verify program, a service of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA), to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful completion of the E-Verify process. Learn more at www.e-verify.gov .