Content Planning Lead, Local Media

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

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Position Summary

At the NBA, we’re passionate about growing and celebrating the game of basketball . Through the intensity of the game and the amazing athletic skill of our players, we deliver excitement to hundreds of millions of fans around the world. As a global sports and media business, the NBA is so much more.

The Content Planning Lead will oversee the integration and execution of broadcast operations across the NBA’s Local Media partnerships, ensuring seamless coordination between the league and its local network partners. This role is responsible for managing key partner relationships, aligning production and operational standards, and driving innovation and consistency across all local broadcasts.

This role will sit at the center of the Local Media ecosystem, partnering across Production, Programming, Technology, Marketing, Ad Sales and External Partners to ensure local networks are effectively supported and aligned with NBA standards, innovation priorities, and fan experience expectations.

Major Responsibilities

Lead the overall content and broadcast integration strategy for Local Media, ensuring alignment across all local network partners

Serve as the primary relationship owner for local broadcast partners, managing day-to-day engagement, issue resolution, and long-term partnership effectiveness

Establish and enforce operational and production standards across partner broadcasts to ensure consistency in quality and execution

Act as the central coordination point between local networks and internal NBA teams, including Production, Programming, Technology, Marketing, and Ad Sales

Oversee onboarding and integration of new local network partners, including defining workflows, expectations, and operating protocols

Partner with Production , Operations and Broadcast Engineering teams to ensure partner capabilities align with evolving production requirements and technology standards

Collaborate with Programming , Production and Content teams to align broadcast execution with scheduling, content strategy, and fan engagement priorities

Establish annual content plans around both tentpole events at both the league and individual team level to ensure creative, innovative planning, and proper resource management and execution of the events across the Local Media team

Develop scalable operating models to support centralized and distributed production across multiple team markets

Monitor partner performance and provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve execution, efficiency, and viewer experience

Drive continuous improvement of partner workflows, identifying opportunities to streamline operations and enhance collaboration

Lead and manage a team responsible for content planning and broadcast integration, partner management, and operational support, including prioritization, execution oversight, and team development

Create a culture of consistent coaching and feedback across talent and the full content team

Support escalation management for sensitive or high-priority issues across partner broadcasts

Monitor industry trends in sports media distribution, local broadcasting, and partner operating models to inform strategic direction

Serve as a senior leader within the Local Media organization, contributing to overall strategy and transformation efforts

Required Education/Professional Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Media , Communications, Business, or a related field preferred

10–15+ years of experience in broadcast operations, media partnerships, production, or related fields

Demonstrated experience managing external broadcast or distribution partners

Experience working across production, programming, and technology functions

Prior experience leading teams and managing complex operational environments

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes

Deep understanding of broadcast operations, live sports production, and media distribution models

Strong experience managing external partner relationships in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Knowledge of evolving local media landscape, including RSN alternatives, DTC distribution, and hybrid production models

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

Experience sourcing and negotiating agreements a plus ( e.g., vendor, content )

Proven ability to design and implement scalable operational frameworks across multiple markets

Strong problem-solving and escalation management capabilities

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with ability to influence across internal and external partners

Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving, and highly matrixed organization

Salary Range

$180,000 - $210,000

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.