As the Sr. Manager, Esports Business Development for Riot Games Esports, you will report into the Head of Global Esports Business Development and will be responsible for driving the commercialization strategy behind Global and Americas League of Legends, Valorant and TFT global esports events. This includes building and executing the business development strategy. You excel at evaluating business opportunities in a dynamic environment and identifying avenues through which to monetize high-quality content, experiences, and media through sponsorship.
You will oversee the full commercialization deal funnel from sourcing, structuring and closing through campaign implementation, while leading a team of Esports Business Development professionals to collectively drive esports objectives. You understand the value proposition for sponsors while keeping your finger on the pulse of what the sports need and what excites our fans, delivering a win-win-win for our partners, our community, and Riot.
Responsibilities:
- Lead a team of Business Development professionals on the Global and Americas team to achieve both Riot and partner objectives.
- Drive the commercial and sponsorship sales funnel and pipeline, including sourcing new business, negotiating terms, and executing contracts.
- Work closely with the sales agency to source, negotiate and sell global and Americas sponsorships.
- Produce global and Americas sponsorship offerings and subsequent go-to-market strategies.
- Collaborate across esports disciplines to identify new business opportunities, technologies, and assets to build unique and valuable opportunities for partner integration.
- Identify cross-product opportunities for higher impact, while maintaining each sport's unique identity.
- Maintain and apply a deep and current understanding of esports, sports and entertainment industries.
Required Qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in partnerships or business development, successfully structuring, negotiating and closing deals and owning projects from inception through launch and ongoing execution
- 3+ years of people leadership experience
- Experience working with partners, both internal and external, at all levels.
Desired Qualifications:
- Proven experience in partnerships and/or business development in gaming, sports, content distribution, or live entertainment
- Excellent relationship management, communication, and project management capabilities
- Excellent writing and presentation building skills
- Track record of successful partnerships and deals with proven KPIs like high renewal rates
For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner's Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do, and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.
It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
- Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
- Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
- Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
- Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters
These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
What We Do
Since 2006, Riot Games has stayed committed to changing the way video games are developed, published, and supported for players. From our first title, League of Legends, to 2020’s VALORANT; we have strived to evolve the community with growth in Esports, and expansion from games into entertainment. Players are the foundation of Riot's community and because of them, we’re able to reach new heights.
