EY-Parthenon - Strategy and Execution, Media Value Creation, Director, Multiple Locations

The opportunity

EY-Parthenon’s unique combination of transformative strategy, transactions and corporate finance delivers real-world value – solutions that work in practice, not just on paper. Benefiting from EY’s full spectrum of services, we’ve reimagined strategic consulting to work in a world of increasing complexity.

With deep functional and sector expertise, paired with innovative AI-powered technology and an investor mindset, we partner with CEOs, Boards, Private Equity and Governments every step of the way – enabling you to shape your future with confidence.

Within EY-Parthenon's Strategy and Execution sub service line, the Value Creation practice helps PE firms, their portfolio companies, and corporate companies realize better returns by unlocking value and accelerating time to money through targeted operational improvements. We rapidly define, quantify, and help realize significant incremental and sustainable value through revenue enhancement, cost and margin improvement and working capital reduction.

Our Media Value Creation team works with investors and executives across Studios, Content & IP, Sports, Live Entertainment, Streaming, Digital Media, Advertising, Rights & Licensing, Distribution, and Audience Monetization to identify, quantify, and realize strategy value creation opportunities.

We help clients unlock value through commercial excellence, go-to-market transformation, revenue growth, pricing and monetization optimization, audience and customer expansion, operating model improvements, and transaction-related value creation initiatives. Our teams work across the transaction lifecycle and beyond, supporting management teams as they execute strategies designed to drive measurable EBITDA growth, accelerate revenue performance, and create long-term enterprise value.

Your key responsibilities

As a Director with EY-Parthenon's Strategy and Execution Value Creation practice, you will be a vital member of the team leading and executing operational focused projects. You will lead projects that span the entire lifecycle of a transaction, including operational due diligence where we focus on EBITDA upside and operational risk; buy side carve out and integration planning to ensure a newly spun out business can operate by itself and potentially merge to quickly realize anticipated synergies; post-acquisition 100 day and value creation planning; ongoing performance improvement; and exit readiness planning to inform an optimal strategy for maximizing returns and ensuring the buyer is well positioned to continue to enhance value.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading multidisciplinary workstreams to deliver measurable commercial and operational impact focused on strategic growth, go-to-market transformation, pricing and monetization, commercial operating model design, revenue operations, sales effectiveness, and marketing effectiveness across various Media sub-sectors.
• Driving revenue growth and monetization strategies for Media investors and management teams across subscription, advertising, sponsorship, ticketing, content monetization, rights and licensing, distribution, and audience engagement revenue streams.
• Developing growth strategies across customer acquisition, audience growth, customer retention, pricing, monetization, sales effectiveness, and marketing effectiveness.
• Supporting clients through transaction-related events including commercial diligence, operational diligence, value creation planning, carve-outs, integrations, separation planning, post-acquisition transformation, performance improvement, and exit readiness.
• Identifying opportunities to improve commercial operating models, revenue operations, organizational effectiveness, and performance management.
• Working with executive stakeholders to align growth initiatives with strategic objectives, operational priorities, and investor expectations.

Skills and attributes for success

• Media Industry Knowledge – deep understanding of business models, value drivers, growth opportunities, and competitive dynamics across Studios, Content & IP, Sports, Live Entertainment, Streaming, Digital Media, Advertising, Rights & Licensing, Distribution, and Audience Monetization.
• Commercial Value Creation – identify and execute initiatives that drive revenue growth, profitability improvement, EBITDA expansion, and enterprise value creation.
• Building Relationships – establish trusted advisor relationships with private equity investors, portfolio company management teams, corporate executives, and senior client stakeholders through influence, insight, and strategic problem solving.
• Business and Commercially Driven – work in a fast-paced, exciting environment with strong commercial acumen and a results-oriented mindset to drive value for clients.
• Project Management – lead and manage project teams comprising colleagues from across the EY-Parthenon sub service lines.
• Business Development – drive pursuits, including presentations and client meetings. Contribute to our practice development initiatives, supporting the continued focus of our team as a great place to work.
• People Development – coach, train, and mentor junior team members, to support achievement of their career goals.
• The expectation for this role is in person teaming, at client site or in an EY office, a minimum of 60% of the time or on average 3 days a week over the course of an engagement, project or performance year.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Marketing, Media Studies, Communications, Sports Management, Entertainment Management, or related field and 5 years of related work experience; or a graduate degree and approximately 3 years of related work experience.
• Experience working with one or more of the following Media sub-sectors: Studios, Content & IP, Sports, Live Entertainment, Streaming, Digital Media, Advertising, Rights & Licensing, Distribution, Audience Monetization, or related Media sectors.
• Understanding of Media business models and value drivers, including subscription, advertising, sponsorship, content monetization, ticketing, rights and licensing, audience engagement, and distribution economics.
• Strategy and operations management consulting experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving/modeling skills, and the confidence to translate complex data into meaningful insights.
• Experience in operational due diligence, commercial due diligence, operational transformation, value creation, and performance improvement.
• Experience in business integrations, divestitures, and/or carve-outs with a demonstrated aptitude for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Experience leading value creation, commercial transformation, go-to-market, revenue growth, pricing, monetization, or performance improvement engagements.
• Deep understanding of financial statements and operational performance metrics, with the ability to identify and quantify value creation opportunities.
• Experience leading and managing cross-functional teams in complex business environments.
• The ability to prioritize effectively on projects and the skills to adapt quickly to new challenges and concepts.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to develop long-lasting relationships both internally and externally.
• The expectation for this role is in person teaming, at client site or in an EY office, a minimum of 60% of the time or on average 3 days a week over the course of an engagement, project or performance year.
• You must either reside in or be in a commutable distance to your office location for this position.
• The ability and willingness to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary. In certain circumstances, travel may be required beyond your work location based on client and project needs.

Ideally, you will have

• Experience advising senior executives, investors, or boards within Media-related sectors.
• Experience working directly with studios, content owners, sports organizations, live entertainment businesses, streaming platforms, digital media companies, advertising businesses, or rights and licensing organizations.
• Experience developing and executing growth strategies focused on audience acquisition, customer retention, monetization, pricing, advertising, sponsorship, subscription growth, content commercialization, rights and licensing, or ticketing optimization.
• Experience leading commercial transformation initiatives, including go-to-market strategy, revenue operations, sales effectiveness, marketing effectiveness, or operating model redesign.
• Experience evaluating and capturing value creation opportunities through commercial due diligence, value creation planning, performance improvement, or transaction-related initiatives.
• Strong understanding of how Media companies create and monetize intellectual property, audiences, rights, content, experiences, and distribution channels.
• Experience translating Media industry trends and market dynamics into actionable strategic, commercial, and operational recommendations.
• A proven record of excellence in M&A transactions and value creation programs.
• MBA is preferred.
• Dynamic individuals who thrive in ambiguous situations to help clients solve their most critical strategic, business, and economic challenges.
• Knowledge of how to leverage firm-approved AI tools in a business setting, including Microsoft Copilot.

What we look for

We’re interested in talented professionals with the ability to visualize our clients’ goals and think creatively to facilitate them.

The ideal candidate combines the commercial rigor of a value creation professional with a deep understanding of Media industry growth drivers. They are energized by helping investors and management teams unlock growth opportunities, accelerate commercial performance, improve profitability, and create measurable enterprise value across Studios, Content & IP, Sports, Live Entertainment, Streaming, Digital Media, Advertising, Rights & Licensing, Distribution, and Audience Monetization businesses.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine passion for helping Media businesses navigate complex strategic, commercial, and operational challenges, this role is for you.

What we offer you
At EY, we harness our collective strength to empower you to shape your future with confidence through professional growth, personal fulfillment and an inclusive culture. Learn more at ey.com/us/careers.

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business.  The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $220,000 to $235,000. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography.  In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.
• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today. 

• To make the most of your application experience, please limit yourself to two applications within a six-month period.
• EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis.
• For those living in California, please click here for additional information.
• At EY, our values set the foundation for how we work and the behaviors we expect of our people.  Any misrepresentation or falsification of information or lack of integrity at any point in the recruiting process may result in withdrawal of your candidacy, revocation of an offer or immediate termination of employment.

EY  |  Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.  

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process,  please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at [email protected].