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Director, Business Development, ESCO

Complex

Job Location:

Los Angeles, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 150000 - 200000

Posted: 29 September 2026 (15 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 27 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Company And Culture

Complex is the definitive platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle seamlessly integrating cutting-edge content commerce and live experiences with unparalleled scale. Through innovative content Complex tells stories of music streetwear and style sports art and beyond. Its content engages in a dynamic conversation with the audience reflecting and shaping the zeitgeist of convergence culture. A powerful media juggernaut paired with a curated marketplace Complex is redefining the way fans interact with their favorite brands and artists and reshaping the future of digital culture and commerce.

Why Were Hiring

The Director of Business Development will play a critical role in driving ESCOs growth by identifying and developing strategic partnerships licensing opportunities distribution relationships brand collaborations and new business initiatives.

This person will work at the intersection of music entertainment collectibles consumer products licensing retail and culture building relationships that create meaningful commercial opportunities for ESCO.

The ideal candidate is a natural relationship builder with strong commercial instincts who can take an opportunity from initial introduction through negotiation and execution. This person should be equally comfortable developing a partnership strategy making a pitch building a financial business case negotiating deal terms and working cross-functionally to bring a partnership to market.

This is a highly entrepreneurial role for someone who is excited about helping build a rapidly growing business and identifying opportunities that may not yet exist.

What Youll Do

Develop and execute ESCOs business development strategy with a focus on driving revenue expanding distribution developing strategic partnerships and creating new growth opportunities.
Identify evaluate and pursue new business opportunities across music entertainment sports fashion retail consumer products collectibles media and culture.
Build and maintain relationships with record labels music publishers artist management companies agencies entertainment companies brands retailers distributors licensors and other strategic partners.
Identify opportunities for artist talent brand and intellectual-property partnerships that can translate into compelling trading card and collectible products.
Source and develop new licensing opportunities that expand ESCOs portfolio of artists cultural properties and collectible categories.
Develop strategic partnerships and collaborations that extend ESCO beyond traditional trading card products and introduce the brand to new audiences.
Identify and pursue opportunities across retail hobby direct-to-consumer e-commerce live events and other distribution channels.
Lead partnership discussions from initial outreach and pitch development through negotiation contracting launch and ongoing relationship management.
Develop compelling presentations proposals partnership concepts and business cases for prospective partners.
Evaluate the commercial potential of new opportunities including revenue potential economics strategic value audience market demand and operational requirements.
Negotiate key business terms in partnership with leadership Finance and Legal.
Build financial models and deal structures that support profitable sustainable partnerships.
Maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners and opportunities and provide regular reporting on pipeline activity deal status revenue potential and next steps.
Track industry trends emerging categories competitors artists cultural moments and consumer behavior to identify opportunities for ESCO.
Represent ESCO at relevant industry events conferences meetings and partner presentations.
Partner closely with Product Creative Marketing Licensing Sales Operations Finance and Legal to ensure partnerships can be successfully executed.
Work with internal teams to transition signed partnerships from business development into product development and launch.
Develop long-term relationships with partners and identify opportunities to expand successful partnerships into additional products properties or revenue streams.
Help define and build scalable business development processes as ESCO continues to grow.
Take on additional strategic projects and growth initiatives as opportunities arise.

Who You Are

7 years of experience in business development strategic partnerships licensing sales or a related commercial role.
Demonstrated track record of sourcing negotiating and closing meaningful partnerships and revenue-generating opportunities.
Strong network and/or experience within music entertainment collectibles consumer products licensing retail media or related industries.
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
Strong negotiation skills with experience navigating complex partnership and commercial agreements.
Excellent presentation and pitching skills with the ability to communicate a compelling vision to prospective partners.
Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate deal economics and revenue opportunities.
Ability to develop an opportunity from an initial idea through execution rather than simply managing existing relationships.
Highly entrepreneurial proactive and comfortable operating in a fast-paced evolving environment.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage a significant pipeline of opportunities simultaneously.
Ability to collaborate effectively across creative operational financial legal and executive teams.
Comfortable interacting and negotiating with senior executives talent representatives brands and other high-level external stakeholders.
Ability to travel from time to time for live events.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience within the trading card collectibles music entertainment licensing consumer products or retail industries.
Existing relationships across record labels artist management agencies entertainment companies brands licensors retailers or distributors.
Experience developing artist talent IP or brand licensing partnerships.
Understanding of the trading card and collectibles ecosystem including hobby retail e-commerce and direct-to-consumer distribution.
Experience launching new products partnerships categories or business verticals.
Experience working within an entrepreneurial high-growth or early-stage business environment.
Genuine passion for music entertainment pop culture and collectibles.

What We Offer

Best in class health dental and vision insurance
Healthcare FSA
Dependent Care FSA
Commuter Benefits FSA
Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance
Paid Parental leave
401k with 4% match
Pet Insurance
Legal and Identity Theft Plans
Flexible PTO

$150000 - $200000 a year

The Pay Range which consists of salary and commission for this position is listed. Actual pay will vary based on factors including but not limited to location experience and performance. The range listed is just one component of Complex Total Rewards offerings for employees.

Were an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran or disability status.

The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of the job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some incumbents assigned to the job to perform a different combination of duties.

Complexparticipates in E-Verify and willprovide the federal government with yourForm I-9 information to confirm that you areauthorized to work in the U.S.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for visa sponsorship.

Required Experience:

Director

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