VP, Partner Management

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

The VP of Partner Management will be a key leader responsible for fostering, developing and executing relationship and marketing strategies with key distribution partners and platforms to drive and support Versant’s portfolio of media properties to a wide range of companies, spanning MVPDs, virtual MVPDs, and OTT/streaming platforms as well as coordinating and collaborating with and supporting the sales team to execute on negotiated tactics and marketing campaigns.

Reporting to the President, Distribution & Partnerships, the VP of Partner Management will provide strategic leadership and guidance to the Partner Management team with respect to relationships and driving strategy for growing viewership and streaming growth on partner platforms of Versant’s content portfolio of linear, VOD/TVE, streaming and AVOD/FAST by managing and strengthening existing partnerships and relationships with MVPDs, vMVPDs and OTT/streaming platforms and more generally partnering creatively with existing and new distribution partners to execute Versant’s distribution and partnership priorities.

We are seeking a strategic, creative and driven leader with excellent business acumen and industry relationships across traditional, digital and emerging distribution platforms who has a team-first mentality and is capable of motivating and building a team, driving strategy and confidently advocating for creative new ways to drive the business forward while collaborating internally and externally with key stakeholders.  We are looking for a leader with a competitive and winning mindset who is willing to roll up their sleeves and lead by example while thriving in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Sales and Partnerships team to strategically drive viewership and streaming growth on partner platforms of Versant’s content portfolio of linear, VOD/TVE, streaming and AVOD/FAST and to generally support our partnership efforts with our distribution partners (keeping partners updated as to Versant priorities and upcoming programming beats and initiatives, and understanding partners’ various priorities so we can be better aligned and competitive).
• Work closely with the deal team and develop and execute partnership strategy in close collaboration - once deals are signed with distribution partners, the partner management team is responsible for collaborating with those distribution partners to execute on strategy.
• Partner with other senior leaders throughout the organization in the implementation of sales distribution strategies for accounts across all platforms (digital third party platforms and MVPDs/vMVPDs), including working with the Versant brands in creating sales materials and presentations, preparing and presenting programming updates for and to clients, compiling research insights, maintaining account summaries, and helping to prepare for and develop “Keep Versant Media” campaigns in advance of deal renewals.
• Interact internally with other departments and develop strong relationships with internal departments including Deal Team, Finance/Strategy, Marketing, Product Team and Brands, Operations as well as understanding and executing on existing contractual marketing commitments, and having a strong familiarity with and understanding of industry trends and partner specific data.
• Manage, oversee, track and measure the results of sales distribution efforts, contractual compliance, and marketing partnerships and assist in the overall tracking of partner reporting, data collection and analysis for key accounts.
• Develop and manage strong working relationships with assigned distribution partners and internal brands/networks and help represent the account specific strategy, as applicable, to key stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Represent Versant and reinforce the value of its brands and services at client meetings and industry events to influence clients and help sell through to customers.
• Identify and assess new business opportunities with new accounts and areas within existing accounts to drive incremental revenue streams.
• Supervise a team that manages and executes “Go Dark” campaigns in advance of upcoming carriage renewals.
• Ensure that the team monitors, tracks and communicates industry developments, including:
  • Announcements of new deals with industry peers and programmers;
  • Product developments and technological innovations among television distribution outlets;
  • New device innovations; and
  • Other relevant industry news.

Basic Qualifications:

• College degree required with an emphasis in marketing, business, or economics preferred.
• 10+ years of experience working in media and entertainment, with a focus on marketing, partnership or distribution.
• Willingness to travel on an as-needed basis.

Desired Characteristics:

• Expert knowledge of the media ecosystem, platforms, distribution and advertising models.
• Strategic thinker and leader with the business acumen to shape a world-class partner management operation.
• Excellent industry relationships with major MVPDs, vMVPDs, and OTT platforms.
• Proven track record of managing a team. Excellent management, leadership and mentoring skills with experience in developing and promoting leaders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to best represent Versant to a wide range of partners and internal leaders and stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge, with proven experience, of Microsoft Office and Powerpoint applications.
• Well organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain highest degree of confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Must be willing to work onsite a minimum of 3 days per week in New York, NY.
• Must be willing to submit to a background investigation.
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

Additional Requirements:

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary range: $195,000 - $240,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible).

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.