Director, Digital Distribution and Partnerships

Job Summary & Responsibilities:

The Director, Digital Distribution and Partnerships (full-time, salaried, regular) will lead, plan, and negotiate the distribution growth strategy for MotorTrend Group’s FAST, OTT, SVOD, AVOD and licensing businesses.  This role will focus on expanding the distribution of MotorTrend’s Free Ad Supported Streaming TV service (i.e. MotorTrend FAST TV), direct to consumer SVOD service (i.e. MotorTrend+ and content ingest partners) and eCommerce business (i.e. MotorTrend Store).

The candidate must be passionate about entertainment and growing business through platform and partnership strategies and optimization. A successful candidate would be highly collaborative, global-minded, data driven, self-starter able to work in a fast-paced environment.

The Director, Distribution and Partnerships is expected to possess a wide set of skills including extensive experience working with 3rd party long form video streaming partners (i.e. Connnected TV, mobile, lincensees etc.), rigorous analysis, identification of opportunities, frequent and excellent communication, collaboration with others throughout a media organization, and ongoing self-education, all accomplished with a highly productive work ethic, supporting demeanor, and the highest levels of professionalism.   This is not limited to but includes defining business requirements, partner identification, negotiating agreements, operationalizing and executing partnerships, and post-deal follow through.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Support the Head of Distribution, Licensing & Partnerships and manage staff in defining business requirements, partner identification, negotiating terms, post-deal handoff and follow through and operationalizing partnerships for success.
• Serve as a primary person of contact to create and optimize relationships, negotiate contracts between MotorTrend Group and partners for FAST/OTT/SVOD/AVOD streaming services, electronic OEMs, and more.
• Perform deal analysis and scenario modeling in collaboration with stakeholders across the organization on various partners (FAST, OTT, SVOD, AVOD, etc.,). and, ultimately provide business strategy to support new distribution and partnership opportunities
• Work with internal stakeholders to identify, track and manage KPI’s for each partner with a focus on performance and revenue.
• Partner with Legal, Ad Sales, Marketing, Business Intelligence, Finance, Programming and Scheduling to maximize Distribution’s recurring revenue from its partnerships.
• Track the growing FAST/OTT/AVOD/SVOD landscape, overall ecosystem and competitive insights across the media landscape.
• Educate and drive interest for initiatives with key partners through compelling presentations and pitches to secure partner deals for FAST, OTT, SVOD, AVOD, Licensing etc.
• Analyze performance of in-market partnerships and make data-driven optimizations to maximize results of programs.
• Travel to attend and/or pitch at partner presentations and meetings and build relationships with key partners and contacts

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area – business, communications, marketing or equivilent
• MBA/JD preferred
• Minimum 8+ years of content distribution, app distribution, linear channel distribution, business development, partnership development, e-commerce experience preferably including brand management, product marketing, and acquisition experience.
• Experience with subscription services, ad supported long form streaming video preferably in entertainment.
• Experience working with platform partners (ie., Samsung, Apple, Google, Amazon, Roku, Vizio, Xumo) including established contacts and relationships.

• Experience working with established brands, ideally in entertainment, original electronic manufacturers and/or automotive.
• Experience working in e-commerce or licensing
• Significant experience, proficiency in, and passion for digital media, marketing, social media, mobile apps, and connected devices.
• Previous experience managing at least one staff

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Possess strong people skills: this includes positive leadership abilities, collaboration, patience and tact
• Personality suited to handle responsibility, leadership, multiple deadlines under pressure with changing priorities
• Strong analytical skills

• The ability to be a team player with the confidence to take the lead and guide others when necessary with a proactive attitude, and ability to effectively work independently and remotely as well as in a team environment.

• Extensive experience with iOS, Android app, CTV app distribution
• Ability to effectively communicate and “sell” strategies to high-priority partners
• Excellent communications (oral and written) skills
• Strong problem-solving/troubleshooting skills
• Strong technical aptitude and quick learning ability

Equipment/Software Used:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets)
• Tableau
• Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics, mParticle
• Slack