Director of Business Development

Salary Range: 150000 to 200000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Company And Culture

Complex is the definitive platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge content, commerce and live experiences with unparalleled scale. Through innovative content, Complex tells stories of music, streetwear and style, sports, art and beyond. Its content engages in a dynamic conversation with the audience, reflecting and shaping the zeitgeist of convergence culture. A powerful media juggernaut paired with a curated marketplace, Complex is redefining the way fans interact with their favorite brands and artists and reshaping the future of digital culture and commerce.

Why We're Hiring

What You'll Do

Develop and execute ESCO's business development strategy with a focus on driving revenue, expanding distribution, developing strategic partnerships, and creating new growth opportunities.

Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities across music, entertainment, sports, fashion, retail, consumer products, collectibles, media, and culture.

Build and maintain relationships with record labels, music publishers, artist management companies, agencies, entertainment companies, brands, retailers, distributors, licensors, and other strategic partners.

Identify opportunities for artist, talent, brand, and intellectual-property partnerships that can translate into compelling trading card and collectible products.

Source and develop new licensing opportunities that expand ESCO's portfolio of artists, cultural properties, and collectible categories.

Develop strategic partnerships and collaborations that extend ESCO beyond traditional trading card products and introduce the brand to new audiences.

Identify and pursue opportunities across retail, hobby, direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, live events, and other distribution channels.

Lead partnership discussions from initial outreach and pitch development through negotiation, contracting, launch, and ongoing relationship management.

Develop compelling presentations, proposals, partnership concepts, and business cases for prospective partners.

Evaluate the commercial potential of new opportunities, including revenue potential, economics, strategic value, audience, market demand, and operational requirements.

Negotiate key business terms in partnership with leadership, Finance, and Legal.

Build financial models and deal structures that support profitable, sustainable partnerships.

Maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners and opportunities and provide regular reporting on pipeline activity, deal status, revenue potential, and next steps.

Track industry trends, emerging categories, competitors, artists, cultural moments, and consumer behavior to identify opportunities for ESCO.

Represent ESCO at relevant industry events, conferences, meetings, and partner presentations.

Partner closely with Product, Creative, Marketing, Licensing, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure partnerships can be successfully executed.

Work with internal teams to transition signed partnerships from business development into product development and launch.

Develop long-term relationships with partners and identify opportunities to expand successful partnerships into additional products, properties, or revenue streams.

Help define and build scalable business development processes as ESCO continues to grow.

Take on additional strategic projects and growth initiatives as opportunities arise.

Who You Are

• 7+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, licensing, sales, or a related commercial role.

• Demonstrated track record of sourcing, negotiating, and closing meaningful partnerships and revenue-generating opportunities.

• Strong network and/or experience within music, entertainment, collectibles, consumer products, licensing, retail, media, or related industries.

• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.

• Strong negotiation skills with experience navigating complex partnership and commercial agreements.

• Excellent presentation and pitching skills, with the ability to communicate a compelling vision to prospective partners.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate deal economics and revenue opportunities.

• Ability to develop an opportunity from an initial idea through execution rather than simply managing existing relationships.

• Highly entrepreneurial, proactive, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage a significant pipeline of opportunities simultaneously.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across creative, operational, financial, legal, and executive teams.

• Comfortable interacting and negotiating with senior executives, talent representatives, brands, and other high-level external stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

consumer products, or retail industries.

Existing relationships across record labels, artist management, agencies, entertainment companies, brands, licensors, retailers, or distributors.

Experience developing artist, talent, IP, or brand licensing partnerships.

Understanding of the trading card and collectibles ecosystem, including hobby, retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer distribution.

Experience launching new products, partnerships, categories, or business verticals.

Experience working within an entrepreneurial, high-growth, or early-stage business environment.

Genuine passion for music, entertainment, pop culture, and collectibles.

What We Offer

• Best in class health, dental, and vision insurance
• Healthcare FSA 
• Dependent Care FSA 
• Commuter Benefits FSA 
• Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance
• Paid Parental leave
• 401k with 4% match
• Pet Insurance
• Legal and Identity Theft Plans
• Flexible PTO