Sr Director, Programming Business Affairs

Job Summary:

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 Responsibilities

Sports 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.

Content Rights Management & Compliance

• Lead the Content Rights Management function, ensuring accurate interpretation, documentation, and administration of contractual rights across multiple platforms and businesses.

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of rights summaries, contract analyses, reporting frameworks, and compliance processes.

• Establish and maintain enterprise-wide standards, systems, and procedures that ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled, rights are fully leveraged, and cross-functional business initiatives remain compliant across ESPN and TWDC.

• Identify opportunities to optimize content utilization and unlock additional value from existing rights portfolios.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Programming leadership, including senior executives responsible for content strategy, to support long-term content planning and rights portfolio management.

• Work closely with Disney Platform Distribution, Disney Advertising Sales, ESPN Direct-to-Consumer, Finance, Strategy, and Legal teams to ensure coordinated execution of enterprise priorities.

• Build strong internal alignment around key rights decisions and associated business implications.

• Understand affiliate, distribution, and platform-specific considerations and identify opportunities to expand audience reach and revenue generation.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of business affairs and rights management professionals.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Drive employee engagement, team effectiveness, and succession planning while maintaining high standards of performance and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Education Required

• Bachelor's degree required.

Education Preferred

• Juris Doctor (JD) strongly preferred.

• MBA, MS, or other relevant advanced degree preferred.

#ESPNMedia

The hiring range for this position in Bristol, CT is $185,500.00 to $248,800.00 per year and in New York, NY is $194,260.00 to $260,590.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.