Senior Director, Programming Business Affairs

The Walt Disney Company

Senior Director overseeing sports rights acquisition and content licensing at ESPN. Leading negotiations and ensuring contractual compliance across ESPN and The Walt Disney Company.

Posted 7/23/2026full-timeBristol • Connecticut, New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $185,500 - $248,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Expertise in negotiating and managing complex media rights agreements and strategic partnerships, with a strong understanding of the sports media ecosystem and the ability to lead high-performing teams. Proven capability in providing strategic guidance, risk assessment, and aligning contractual obligations with business objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Media Rights NegotiationSports Media EcosystemCross-Functional LeadershipContractual ComplianceExecutive Communication

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Contract ManagementLicensing ArrangementsBusiness AffairsAnalytical CapabilitiesDecision-Making Skills

Soft Skills

Relationship ManagementPeople LeadershipNegotiation SkillsPresentation Skills

Industry Keywords

Sports MediaContent StrategyDistributionDigital PlatformsAffiliate Distribution

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.
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.
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.
Partner with Programming leadership, including senior executives responsible for content strategy, to support long-term content planning and rights portfolio management.
Build strong internal alignment around key rights decisions and associated business implications.
Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of business affairs and rights management professionals.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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