Sr Director, Programming Business Affairs
Leads sports rights acquisition, licensing, and contract administration for ESPN and Disney, negotiating high-profile deals and ensuring rights compliance across linear, streaming, and digital platforms.
- Compensation
- $185.5K–$260.6K / yr
- Location
- Bristol, CT, USA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Contract
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Category
- Not specified
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 10+ years of progressive experience in sports media, programming, business affairs, media rights, legal affairs, or a related field.
- Significant experience negotiating and managing complex media rights agreements, licensing arrangements, and strategic partnerships.
- Proven track record leading cross-functional initiatives involving senior stakeholders across programming, distribution, advertising, legal, and business operations.
- Demonstrated people leadership experience, including a track record of developing, coaching, and leading high-performing teams.
- Strong understanding of the sports media ecosystem, including linear television, streaming, digital platforms, affiliate distribution, and evolving content consumption trends.
- Excellent executive communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects in a deadline-driven environment.
- Strong commercial acumen, analytical capabilities, and decision-making skills.
Nice to have
- Deep experience within sports media, professional sports leagues, teams, conferences, agencies, media companies, or rights-holding organizations.
- Demonstrated expertise in sports rights acquisitions, business affairs, media distribution, or sports-related legal matters.
- Strong understanding of content monetization models, direct-to-consumer businesses, and emerging media distribution trends.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with executional excellence.
- Proven ability to influence senior executives and external partners in complex business environments.
- Passion for sports and deep appreciation for ESPN's role within the sports media landscape.
- Reputation as a trusted, collaborative leader who drives results through influence and partnerships.
Full description
Job Posting Title:
Sr Director, Programming Business Affairs
Req ID:
10156050
Job Description:
The Senior Director, Programming Business Affairs is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of sports rights acquisition, content licensing, contract administration, and rights management across ESPN and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). Serving as a strategic partner to Programming, Legal, Ad Sales, Distribution, Business Development, and Finance, this executive will lead negotiations for key sports properties, ensure contractual compliance and execution, and maximize the value of content rights across linear, digital, streaming, direct-to-consumer, and emerging distribution platforms.
This leader will act as the primary business affairs liaison for league and rights-holder partners, balancing sophisticated deal-making, relationship management, and operational excellence. The role requires a deep understanding of the evolving sports media landscape, media rights economics, and the strategic opportunities that drive audience growth, distribution expansion, and long-term business value.
Key ResponsibilitiesSports Rights Acquisition & Negotiation
- Lead strategic preparation for major media rights renewals by organizing historical agreements, evaluating contractual obligations, identifying business opportunities, and coordinating enterprise-wide negotiation readiness.
- Lead and support negotiations for high-profile sports rights agreements, renewals, amendments, and strategic partnerships.
- Partner closely with senior Programming, Legal, Distribution, Ad Sales, Direct-to-Consumer, and Business Development leaders to maximize the value and flexibility of acquired rights.
- Evaluate new rights opportunities and emerging market trends, developing recommendations that support ESPN and TWDC's broader content strategy.
- Serve as a trusted advisor during complex negotiations, balancing business objectives, contractual protections, and partner relationships.
Strategic Business Affairs Leadership
- Act as the central point of contact for league partners and rights holders on all business affairs matters.
- Provide strategic guidance and risk assessment on contractual issues, identifying solutions that align with both business priorities and legal requirements.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to develop scalable processes, governance structures, and best practices that support business growth and operational efficiency.
- Ensure alignment between contractual obligations and evolving distribution, monetization, and content strategies across the enterprise.