ESPN

Job Description

Director Technology Partnerships

The Director of Technology Partnerships will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, building, and maintaining relationships with3rd party technology partners and industry organizations determined to be significant in the converged media ecosystem and whose business objectives are strongly aligned with ESPN’s. S/he will lead definition and execution of collaborative development plans with such external partners as appropriate. In performing this role, s/he will partner with colleagues in Content Business Development, Sales & Marketing, and Technology Strategy to ensure that technology partnerships are aligned with ESPN’s business objectives and that technology development plans are consistent with and supportive of the ESPN technology strategic framework.

The Director of Technology Partnerships must be able to develop and maintain broad and deep relationships with external partners as well as internal partners across ESPN. S/he must be knowledgeable of the partners’ propositions, markets, business challenges, and customer opportunities; identify areas of shared vision and strategy; establish appropriate shared goals; develop and coordinate execution of collaborative initiatives to support those goals. The Director of Technology Partnerships must also facilitate open communication between partner groups within ESPN and between ESPN and external partners; provide updates on goals, strategy, and collaborative initiatives; provide feedback to the partners if needed.

The Director of Technology Partnerships will work at the direction of the Senior Director, Technology Development to choose and engage with appropriate internal and external partners.

ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets with over 50 business entities. Headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, ESPN is 80% owned by ABC, Inc. (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company), and 20% by the Hearst Corporation.

ESPN was founded by Bill Rasmussen and launched on September 7, 1979. Now with over 6,500 employees, each year ESPN televises more than 5,100 live and/or original hours of sports programming. The company’s mission is to serve sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

Responsibilities
Build multi-level relationships contacts at internal and external business partners, including those at the executive level Develop an in-depth understanding of business objectives of various internal partners across ESPN, facilitate sharing of objectives across internal groups, and blend the various objectives into a cohesive expression of ESPN business objectives; effectively communicate ESPN objectives to external partners Develop an in-depth understanding of business objectives of external partners; effectively communicate partner objectives to various internal partners at ESPN Lead teams from ESPN and external partners in the development of shared strategies and plans for joint technology collaboration Ensure plans are aligned with ESPN business and technology objectives Enlist appropriate resources within ESPN to execute technology collaboration; guide execution of such collaboration Formalize technology partnerships as required using joint R&D, non-disclosure, and partnership agreements to protect mutual interests and help ensure long-term, healthy and growing technology partnerships

Basic Qualifications
Minimum of 8 years’ experience in strategic technology partnership management or business development in complex technology areas Must be personally interested in sports and sports television Excellent oral, written, and structured presentation skills required

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in at least one of the following technology areas is highly desirable: - Broadcast - Media production - Digital image processing - Video transport - Machine learning - Data analytics Familiarity with ad sales is highly desirable

Preferred Education
MBA degree preferred

Required Education
Bachelors degree in Science, Engineering or Mathematics required

Additional Information
Imagine a career with an organization that brings smiles to millions every day. Imagine working with people whose passion for what they do is simply indescribable. We are The Walt Disney Company, live with a rich legacy of innovation, entertainment, and lifelong memories. With our vast array of both businesses and professionals, you’ll have the opportunity to join a team that’s beloved around the world, and to find out how it feels to love what you do. We invite you to discover for yourself why a career with Disney is the opportunity you‘ve been looking for. ESPN, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Our goal is to create an inclusive workplace for all.

Job ID: 24352BR