Director, Business Development & Partnerships, Minecraft

Lead strategic negotiations and partner relationships. Lead franchise-defining deals: economics, rights, term, territory, exclusivity, approvals, KPIs, and exit. Lead and develop the Business Developement team. Manage and grow a team of Managers of Business Development, each owning a category and partner portfolio. Hire, level, and retain talent; run the team operating rhythm (1:1s, deal and pipeline reviews, performance, career development); and set a consistent standard for diligence, structuring, and execution across the pipeline. Set deal strategy and own the portfolio with Business pillar leads. Translate franchise priorities into a multi-year deal roadmap with Brand, Franchise, Product, and Marketing. Own end-to-end execution across content collaborations, IP licensing, brand integrations, and new businesses, including pipeline, structure, and economics. Run the deal process and cross-functional execution. Own the pipeline, approval governance, deal-review cadence, and post-signature handoff, and build the templates and playbooks that let the team scale. Partner closely with Legal, Finance, Brand and Product, Franchise Enforcement, and Marketing / Live Ops. Manage risk and brand stewardship. Balance commercial ambition against player trust, franchise integrity, and compliance, and escalate the right issues to senior leadership at the right time. Bachelor's Degree in Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, or related field AND 10+ years relevant work experience (e.g., investment banking, consulting, finance, marketing, corporate strategy, sales, venture capital, legal, business development, product management, project management, software development, or related field) OR equivalent experience. 3+ years people management experience. Gaming industry experience with a publisher, platform, developer, or gaming-adjacent entertainment company. Experience structuring, negotiating, and executing complex commercial agreements involving licensing, partnerships, content collaborations, or strategic business initiatives. Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of strategic partnerships and driving measurable commercial outcomes. Experience managing consumer entertainment, media, licensing, or IP-driven businesses. Experience influencing senior executives and driving decisions in a highly matrixed organization. Expertise in licensing, brand partnerships, content collaborations, promotions, and commercialization strategies.