VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

The Senior Director, Strategy & Business Development will play an important role as part of a highly visible team evaluating key strategic initiatives for Versant. This team supports Versant’s CEO and Chief Revenue & Business Officer in resource allocation decisions and identifying pathways to growth through content & media rights acquisitions, strategic partnerships, M&A, and organic opportunities.

This role, reporting into the SVP of Strategy & Business Development, will focus primarily on opportunities related to Versant’s Sports and Entertainment businesses. The position will require the ability to think critically, oversee financial and strategic analyses, manage day-to-day processes with key internal stakeholders, develop strong relationships, and ultimately present findings to executives. This is an exciting opportunity that will provide exposure to senior leadership and the ability to engage in conversations that impact the course of Versant’s future.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversee and proactively identify key initiatives that drive meaningful revenue and EBITDA growth across Versant's portfolio of Sports & Entertainment assets
• Manage processes for sports media rights analyses, linear & digital platforming strategy work, commercial partnership evaluations and execution, supporting / ideating on M&A opportunities, and overall landscape analyses informing decisions
• Lead the preparation of rigorous analyses to evaluate opportunities and present recommendations to senior leadership
• Interface and negotiate with external partners on sports rights and commercial deal opportunities
• Manage and mentor a dedicated team of direct reports
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and executives throughout the organization, serving as a trusted resource and direct liaison
• Manage day-to-day communication with key internal partner teams
• Coordinate processes needed for other projects as required by the CEO, Chief Revenue & Business Officer, or SVP of Strategy & Business Development

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of 8 years of experience in a highly analytical role that includes a combination of the following:
  • Management consulting or investment banking, preferably within a Media, Technology & Telecom practice
  • Business development, strategy, corporate development, or corporate finance at a media or technology company
• Proven strategic and analytical skills, including significant financial modeling experience
• Exceptional attention to detail and outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interest in and general understanding of the media industry
• High level of comfort interfacing with multiple levels of management
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience successfully managing others
• Humble, positive, team-first mentality with a desire to learn and get better every day

Additional Information: 

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.  Subject to change based on Manager discussion or business need.
• Salary range: $165,000 - $190,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible).

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.