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

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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.