Global Event Deals & Development Lead

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week 

Position Summary:
The Global Event Deals & Development Lead will use demonstrated commercial & strategic planning skills and a network of global relationships to support deal development, negotiation, and execution across global marquee and affiliate events. This includes some of the highest value media-driven NBA events such as NBA All-Star and NBA Global Games; fan-first experiences such as NBA Experiences; and support of events for USA Basketball and the NBA’s affiliate leagues (e.g., WNBA, NBA G League).

This role requires strong commercial acumen, strategic vision, and a devotion to tangible performance metrics that have proven to grow live event businesses. Identifying and delivering deal structures that maximize opportunities on both sides of the P&L, this role must deliver flawless term sheets, deal proposals, bid submission requirements, and support of longform agreements. The optimal candidate will leverage a strong understanding of industry best practices and polished communication skills to guide relevant stakeholders from initial event conversations through deal execution. Simultaneously managing multiple deal flows with meticulous attention to detail, this role will drive cross-functional collaboration, communicate priorities and deadlines to key stakeholders, and present agreements for review and approval by leadership. 

The optimal candidate builds trust by setting new standards for excellence, delivering against tight deadlines, and challenging conventional thinking with innovative arrangements that build industry-leading programming.  They will be able to navigate ambiguity by driving swiftly toward simple solutions that leverage insights to advance new initiatives.  They’re obsessed with delivering polished executive-level work product and outperforming goals.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead and support development of ambitious, innovative programming to support and drive a fan-first business approach with internal and external partners
• Lead highly visible projects and work cross-departmentally to analyze key short-term efficiency opportunities and long-term growth platforms
• Serve as an internal expert and thought partner within the NBA and its affiliate leagues on how to leverage Global Events for new business growth and assist stakeholders to create a strategic vision for new events and navigate the deal negotiation process
• Establish and evolve internal processes that aid the deal process (e.g., timelines, workflow optimization, relationship management)
• Play a key role in catalyzing a unified, Global Events department function and team, integrating efforts and people across the world
• Liaise with NBA teams as they contemplate their involvement in league-executed events, including participation in Global Games and NBA All-Star.
• Aid deal negotiations with cities, event promoters, and partners by conducting quantitative analysis, preparing external-facing proposals and presentations, and crafting competitive and compelling deal structures
• Develop bid specifications for global events and lead significant cross-functional collaboration across operational counterparts to deliver significant written and verbal work product
• Record all significant contract details in standardized deal memo format and process due diligence submissions as required, including confirming executive-level approvals as needed
• Aid NBA Legal in drafting and progressing longform agreements by compiling relevant deal terms, communicating commercial timelines, leveraging historical agreements where possible, and prioritizing agreements across deal flow as necessary
• Leverage Total Economic Impact & Earned Media Value analysis to maximize stakeholder support across deal ecosystems and ground the value of league global events 
• Develop ongoing relationships with global tourism entities, sports commissions, local convention and visitor bureaus, and other relevant local stakeholders that use sporting events to drive economic development (e.g., sporting federations, live sports and entertainment entities)
• Create executive-level presentations that articulate deal opportunities, recommendations and/or solutions that achieve key business objectives
• Work on other tasks and assignments for the department on an as-needed basis (including on-site at events)

Required Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrated quantitative, financial, and project management skills
• Self-starter who is resourceful, results-driven, and has the proven ability to efficiently drive deal evaluation and execution from end to end
• Detail-oriented with ability to simplify complex problems and summarize expansive information into consolidated, polished documents for senior leadership
• Highly organized with ability to manage many projects and initiatives simultaneously
• Experience working and multi-tasking in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Effective communicator and presenter, both orally and in writing
• Advanced aptitude with all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Enterprising energy, integrity, and humility
• Experience in the sports, entertainment, media, and technology industries preferred
• Willingness to travel (domestically and internationally)

Experience Needed:

• Minimum of 6-8 years of professional experience, including in deal structuring & negotiation and stakeholder management; experience at a top-tier consulting firm, media/entertainment entity, private equity or investment bank preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
• Experience in the sports, entertainment, media, and technology industries preferred
• Network of domestic and international relationships with tourism entities, sports commissions, convention and visitor bureaus, sporting federations, and live sports and entertainment entities preferred
• Additional language skills a plus
   

Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000 

Job Posting Title: Director 

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume. 

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, 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.

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.

About the NBA
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 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.  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 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.