Director Strategic Operations and Alliances
Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue in Las Vegas opened in September 2023. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at sphereentertainmentco.com.
Who are we hiring?
As the Director of Strategic Operations & Alliances, you will play a critical role in both building new alliances and solving our most pressing business problems. You will identify and grow new partnerships, develop strategies, and foster business and technology collaborations that drive mutual value to the partner and Sphere Entertainment. You will also solve complex internal business problems by utilizing research, designing and executing analyses, developing a strategic approach and plan for implementation through dynamic and engaging presentations. This role will require you to navigate complex environments, leveraging your expertise to build both strong internal relationships and external partner alliances.
You will support key strategic alliances by owning and driving initiatives from start to finish that span from early partnership identification, partner research/analysis, deal negotiation/execution, and performance tracking. You will problem solve with significant breadth and depth, engaging internally and externally to grow new and existing strategic partnerships. You will also initiate and develop frameworks / models to support major strategic and operational projects that accelerate the success of the Sphere in the short- and long-term.
You will report to and partner with the VP of Strategic Alliances and will help set and communicate strategy and decision-making along with the broader organization.
What will you do?
- Drive and help develop the strategy to build, grow, maintain, and deepen mutually beneficial relationships with key alliance partners, who will help Sphere remain on the cutting edge of technology and entertainment, and who will utilize products and services from the Sphere.
- Critically support team responsible for strategic initiatives, decisions and KPIs to drive the Sphere Strategic Operations & Alliance team’s highest priority outcomes.
- Help formulate forward-thinking and innovative approaches to anticipate and address the Sphere’s most challenging or new problems and develop compelling solutions to enable partnership opportunities ranging from pipeline identification to revenue generation.
- Help negotiate and support complex contractual initiatives with alliance partners, including deal origination, negotiation, and implementation within a matrixed organization.
- Partner with internal teams to align on partnership strategies and deliver the highest impact partner engagement plans and deals for Sphere’s most strategic partners
- Aid in developing, maintaining, and updating an alliance narrative across all components of the business including scaled communications. Ensure strategy cascades to the broader organization and priorities are aligned.
- Define and track partnership status in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Evaluate option sets on areas of investment and growth from the market and shareholder lens; assess competitors and whitespace; and structure perspectives from ticket holders, corporations, governments, press, etc. to further shape and complement the team’s priorities and areas of opportunity.
- Help develop the systems, processes, infrastructure / tools, training and playbooks to deliver flawless execution in the most efficient and effective manner.
What do you need to succeed?
- Bachelor's degree in a technical or quantitative/business-oriented field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 8 years of experience within one or more of the following fields: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Strategy Consulting, Business Operations, Investment Banking, or Corporate Strategy & Development.
- 6 years of experience leading partner engagements and/or strategic projects.
- 2 years of experience leading teams.
- Experience leading and influencing in a highly matrixed, cross-functional environment with strong communication and organizational skills.
- Track-record of successfully delivering global strategy, partnerships, operations, and high-impact growth initiatives, operating in highly ambiguous environments.
Special Requirements
- Travel to Burbank, Las Vegas, and other Sphere locations.
- This is not a remote role.
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