Position Summary:

The ideal candidate will have applicable expertise in developing commercial/business strategy, with specific experience in digital media and how those strategies manifest themselves in digital product experiences. They will be able to take a data and customer/fan-driven approach to developing commercial strategy for digital media experiences that provide enhanced value to all parties - fans, the NBA and our partners - and result in innovative, valued experiences for end users. They will have an innate ability to work effectively in matrix organizations, through collaboration, inclusiveness and leadership, and do the same with external partners by understanding their business goals, challenges and opportunities and how our strategy can directly address those to their benefit.

Major Responsibility:

- Lead department wide efforts to develop critical strategic partnerships with existing and prospective NBA partners to support business and product goals and requirements

-Lead the collaboration with Global Partnerships teams in identifying the optimal approach to engaging - and ultimately integrating - existing, prospective, and future NBA business partners into the Next Gen digital product ecosystem in a manner that adds value to all parties  

- Lead meetings and workshops with internal teams and with partners to identify partnership frameworks, generate ideas and concepts, and establish value exchange between NBA and partners that support achieving each other’s straetgic objectives

- Work with the Strategy & Partnerships Lead and Global Partnerships business leads to establish commercial models and agreements related to partner integration

- Collaborate with business leads (for existing partners) on the development, negotiation and execution of partner agreements

- Act as the day-to-day lead between DTC (including Subscription and Membership), Global Partnerships and Next Gen product & engineering teams in relation to partner integrations 

- Where agreements are solely in relation to Next Gen, act as overall NBA business lead responsible for the management and on-going success of those partnerships

- Provide required support to other teams working with existing NBA partners to help secure agreements and ensure the success of those partnerships

- Supported by Strategy & Business Innovation Analyst(s), conduct financial due diligence and research insights for strategic assessment and deal proposition

- Manage internal approvals, including senior management, from relevant functions (e.g., Legal, Marketing, Finance)

- Coordinate with established ecosystem partners on membership program synergy alongside the Next Gen membership vertical

Required Skills/knowledge:

- Demonstrable success at developing complex, large scale strategic partnerships with a variety of business partners

- Must be able to cultivate – and evolve - effective partnerships with external companies, representing the NBA in a manner that befits the organization, working to represent the NBA’s interests but in a way that acknowledges partners’ goals as well

- Must be comfortable navigating complex, matrix-shaped organizations and be persuasive and empathetic to various departments

- Must be able to develop basic P&L’s related to the execution of commercial strategy and models

- Proven ability to complete cost benefit analysis of proposed initiatives and prioritize partners, ideas, features, initiatives etc based on that

- Able to effectively take a data-driven approach to developing insights that drive strategic approach and decision-making

- Experience in developing commercial strategy and how that manifests in digital products

- Experience in digital media and product roles, with a strong knowledge of current and emerging technology trends

- Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal and presentation skills

- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, both independently as well as within a team environment

- Willingness and ability to engage with stakeholders (including senior executives), communicate insights and problem-solving in a flexible, professional manner

- Ability to handle multiple tasks, effective time management and organizational skills

- Strong analytical skills with acute attention to detail

- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word applications