Senior Director, Corporate Strategy

This is a Full Time Job

Job Summary:

ESPN Strategy is a highly visible team of professionals with backgrounds in consulting, investment banking, private equity, media & entertainment, and technology who serve as in-house advisors to ESPN's executive leadership. The team plays a critical role in shaping the company's long-term direction and has contributed to many of ESPN's most impactful, enterprise-wide initiatives.

The Senior Director, Corporate Strategy will lead high-priority strategic initiatives with a particular focus on identifying growth opportunities across the evolving sports and media landscape. This role sits at the center of innovation-bringing together deep industry insight, rigorous analysis, and compelling storytelling to influence executive decision-making and unlock new areas of value creation. The role requires a strong understanding of the sports/media ecosystem, paired with quantitative and qualitative research expertise, rigorous financial and strategic analysis, and the ability to deliver clear, compelling presentations to senior leadership.

Responsibilities:
• Identify and shape growth opportunities across ESPN's portfolio, with a focus on where innovation, new business models, and emerging market dynamics intersect
• Own and frame strategic M&A and investment analyses, including financial modeling, valuation, and deal strategy in partnership with Corporate Development
• Develop a strong point of view on the sports media ecosystem, including trends in sports rights, licensing, distribution, and monetization-ESPN's core business model
• Lead complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives, bringing together partners across ESPN, Disney Entertainment, and Corporate functions (Finance, Research, Product, Programming, Content, Ad Sales, Legal, etc.)
• Translate complex analyses into clear, compelling narratives through executive-level presentations, Board materials, and investor-facing content
• Drive long-range planning processes, including segment strategy development and executive alignment on key priorities
• Assess partnerships and new business opportunities, including content, technology, and adjacent growth areas
• Collaborate closely with Corporate Development and Research to align on market insights, valuation frameworks, and strategic recommendations
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of 2–3 high-performing professionals, fostering a culture of rigor, curiosity, and impact
• Operate as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, bringing structure, clarity, and strategic perspective to ambiguous and high-stakes decisions

Required Qualifications
• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategy, investment banking, private equity, or top-tier management consulting, ideally with exposure to media, sports, or technology
• Strong understanding of sports rights, licensing, and media economics, with the ability to connect industry dynamics to business strategy
• Proven ability to lead strategic M&A modeling and investment analysis, including building and framing complex financial models and translating them into actionable insights
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to clearly articulate strategy and influence executive audiences through presentations and written materials
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple high-priority workstreams simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with both quantitative rigor and qualitative judgment
• Executive presence and ability to operate effectively in a highly visible, fast-paced environment
• Experience working within large, matrixed organizations, with the ability to build relationships and drive alignment across stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead high-performing teams

Required Education
• Bachelor's degree

#ESPNMedia

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $189,600 to $260,590 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.