Business Operations Lead, Local Media

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

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Business Operations Lead, Local Media

Position Summary

The Business Operations Lead is responsible for driving business planning, operational strategy, organizational governance, and cross-functional execution for the NBA’s Local Media organization. Reporting to the General Manager, Local Media, this role serves as a key strategic and operational partner across the organization, helping translate business priorities into scalable processes, operational frameworks, and measurable outcomes.

This leader oversees core business operations functions including strategic planning, organizational management, operational cadence, budget coordination, reporting, performance tracking, and executive communications. The role partners closely with Finance, HR, Strategy, Legal, Commercial, Production, Programming, Engineering, Distribution, and Team stakeholders to support the successful launch and long-term operation of the Local Media business.

The Business Operations Lead manages a lean but highly strategic business operations function, including direct oversight of a Business Operations Manager, and plays a central role in coordinating complex initiatives, improving organizational effectiveness, and establishing governance structures that enable operational excellence across the Local Media ecosystem.

Major Responsibilities

Serve as the operational and strategic lead supporting the General Manager, Local Media, helping drive organizational priorities, business planning, and cross-functional execution across the Local Media organization.

Lead day-to-day business operations management for the Local Media group, including operating cadence, executive reporting, organizational planning, and strategic initiative tracking.

Manage and develop the Business Operations Manager while establishing scalable operational processes, communication workflows, and governance frameworks.

Coordinate annual operating plans, budgeting processes, headcount planning, resource tracking, and business reviews in partnership with Finance, HR, and senior leadership.

Develop and maintain organizational KPI frameworks, dashboards, reporting structures, and performance metrics to support data-driven decision-making and operational transparency.

Drive cross-functional coordination across Programming, Production, Commercial, Engineering, Distribution, Marketing, Finance, Legal, and HR teams to ensure alignment on organizational priorities and operational execution.

Support the launch and scaling of the Local Media organization for the 2026–27 season, including operational readiness planning, organizational design coordination, workflow implementation, and executive-level project management.

Establish governance models, decision-making frameworks, and standardized business processes that improve organizational efficiency, accountability, and execution consistency.

Lead preparation of executive presentations, operational reviews, business updates, strategic planning materials, and leadership communications for senior stakeholders.

Partner with HR and leadership teams on organizational development initiatives including workforce planning, onboarding, team structure planning, and employee engagement efforts.

Coordinate vendor and partner operational processes where applicable, including tracking deliverables, timelines, operational dependencies, and business performance.

Identify operational risks, resource constraints, and process inefficiencies while driving continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Support organizational change management efforts related to new operating models, systems implementations, process standardization, and evolving business priorities.

Foster a collaborative, high-accountability operating culture focused on execution excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Required Education/Professional Experience

Bachelor’s degree required ; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

10+ years of progressive experience in business operations, strategic operations, organizational management, consulting, media operations, or related functions.

Experience supporting senior executives and leading cross-functional operational initiatives within complex matrixed organizations.

Demonstrated success managing strategic planning processes, operational governance, executive reporting, and organizational coordination functions.

Experience within sports media, broadcast, streaming, entertainment, technology, or live-event organizations preferred.

Strong experience with budgeting processes, KPI development, operational analytics, and business performance reporting.

Proven ability to manage complex cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

Experience supporting organizational transformation, operational scaling, or new business launches preferred.

Experience with vendor sourcing, evaluation and negotiation.

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes

Strong strategic and operational thinking with the ability to connect high-level business objectives to practical execution plans.

Exceptional organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail and execution rigor.

Executive-level communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing materials for senior leadership audiences.

Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to synthesize operational, financial, and business performance data into actionable insights.

Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and coordinate across matrixed organizations.

High degree of professionalism, judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive business matters.

Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments with competing priorities and ambiguity.

Strong collaboration skills and team-oriented leadership style with a focus on accountability and operational excellence.

Established history of creating, developing and foste ring two way relationships across all levels of a company

Familiarity with media operations, live production environments, distribution ecosystems, or sports business operations preferred.

Advanced proficiency with operational reporting tools, presentation development, and business planning methodologies.

Established history of creating a culture of consistent feedback and coaching across all levels

Salary Range

$140,000 - $180,000

Job Posting Title

Senior Director

Employees currently are eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus, awarded at the sole discretion of the Company and subject to any terms and conditions set by the Company. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company-sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; dental; vision; life/AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; fertility and family-forming assistance; wellbeing allowance; educational assistance; mental health coaching/therapy; tax advantaged accounts such as HSA and healthcare/dependent care FSAs; a 401(k) retirement plan; and time off benefits that include vacation, sick time, and personal days.

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.