Director, Business Development

WORK OPTION: 4 days a week in New York, NY office

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace.  To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2023-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness. 

Position Summary:

The Director, Business Development will be responsible for generating revenue by developing and selling integrated marketing partnerships for the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Serve as a sales lead on the Business Development team, responsible for generating revenue by developing and selling integrated marketing partnerships across the league’s portfolio of properties, including the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball
• Lead all aspects of the partnership sales process, including prospecting and sourcing leads, delivery of sales presentations and proposals, negotiating deal terms and contracts
• Develop, maintain and progress an active pipeline with qualified prospects within key categories
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate decision makers at Fortune 500 companies (e.g., C-Suite, Heads of Sponsorship, etc.), as well as key agency contacts 
• Direct cross-functional teams consisting of key internal stakeholders (e.g., Media, Activation, Partnership Development, Social Responsibility, etc.) to develop customized marketing platforms that align with prospective partner objectives
• Direct and manage the development of strategic, customized presentations and partnership proposals for prospective partners
• Attend industry conferences/events and leverage personal network to develop new business opportunities
• Actively contribute to a collaborative and inclusive culture and bring forth innovative ideas to help team exceed annual goals 
• Support the development and growth of junior team members on the Business Development team

Required Education/Professional Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 8 to 10 years of sponsorship sales experience at a league, team, and/or agency

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes:

• Experienced sales leader with a track record of sourcing and securing significant, multifaceted sponsorship deals or partnerships 
• Highly motivated, self-starter with a consultative sales approach and passion for building innovative partnerships 
• In-depth knowledge of the sports marketing and sponsorship landscape
• Proven ability to source leads, uncover trends, and convert new business opportunities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability build trusted relationships and influence across all levels both internally and externally
• Strong project management capabilities; ability to balance and advance multiple priorities at once
• Exceptional teammate with a demonstrated history of contributing to a positive and inclusive culture
• Successful at leveraging network to initiate and build relationships with corporate decision makers 
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint 

Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 

Job Posting Title: Director 

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.