Growth Planning & Business Optimization, Events

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

Position Summary:
The Growth Planning & Business Optimization role will use demonstrated strategic planning and process optimization skills to contribute to the operational and commercial evaluation and implementation of key business initiatives, partnerships, and corporate improvements across the Events Department. This role requires an analytical skillset, strong presentation skills, and proven project management experience.  The optimal candidate must be a self-starter, creative and resourceful in problem-solving, and must truly feel a sense of ownership on managed projects.

The Growth Planning & Business Optimization role will execute strategies across both the Event Operations team (e.g., venue operations, transportation, ticketing operations, hotels) and the Event Management team (responsible for the growth and execution of marquee events such as All-Star and Finals, affiliate league events, and fan-driven engagement programs), as well as advise on, negotiate and implement strategic priorities with respect to other Events Department initiatives (e.g., growth of NBA Experiences business, optimizing economic terms with NBA vendors). This position will articulate strategic priorities and execution plans, identify key performance metrics, innovate workflows and processes, and conduct market and consumer research to support growth in existing and new business lines.

It is inherently a cross-functional role, demanding collaboration and influence not only with every member of the Events Department but also many of the league’s most important stakeholders. The ideal candidate will partner with Event leadership to support key league priorities, communicate the progress of business initiatives, and assist in the preparation of presentation and other materials for key internal and external partners.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop business cases, operating plans, and go-to-market strategies for new global event business initiatives
• Evaluate and test external vendors that provide industry-leading event services to determine if their services will drive internal efficiency and support workload variances
• Support negotiations for and assess the performance of long-term commercial deals with key partners and vendors
• Conduct industry benchmarking and external research to develop ticket scaling and pricing for events
• Develop and execute ticket marketing strategies (including by serving as the primary point-person for external vendors) to drive awareness and sell-through for events
• Lead the objective and key metrics (OKM) process – support cross-departmental teams by assisting in the establishment of a shared definition of excellence and measurements and tracking for key strategic and operational initiatives from the point of adoption to completion
• Lead the creation and implementation of department-wide business planning, reporting, and dashboards
• Support departmental event managers with project work to align strategic objectives across the group
• Create executive-level presentations that articulate opportunities, recommendations and/or solutions that achieve key business objectives
• Support highly visible projects, work cross-departmentally and exhibit best-practice project management skills, thought leadership, and analytical rigor
• Work on other tasks and assignments for the department on an as-needed basis (including on-site at events)

Required Eudcation/Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 4-6 years of professional experience in investment banking, private equity, consulting or media corporate finance from top-tier company/firm(s)
• Bachelor's degree required
• Additional language skills a plus

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes:

• Demonstrated quantitative, financial, research, modeling, and project management skills
• Creative problem solver with ability to design and optimize new processes and solutions that find efficiencies and growth opportunities
• Self-motivated, results-driven, and has the proven ability to efficiently analyze and assess problems independently as well as within a team environment
• Strong analytical orientation and ability to oversee analyses to evaluate opportunities, recognize patterns, and long-term issue spot
• Experience working and multi-tasking in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Effective communicator and presenter, both orally and in writing
• Advanced aptitude with project management software and all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Deep commitment to continued learning and being a sense-maker for the team
• Enterprising energy, integrity, and humility
• Experience in the sports, entertainment, media, and technology industries preferred
• Willingness to travel (domestically and internationally)

Salary Range: $120,000 - $145,000 

Job Posting Title: Senior Manager 

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.