Director, Commercial Partnerships | Irvine, CA

Team Name:

Business Development & Licensing

Job Title:

Director, Commercial Partnerships | Irvine, CA

Requisition ID:

R025525

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Commercial Partnerships will lead the global execution of high-impact commercial partnerships that drive revenue, engagement, and brand reach. This role owns the full partnership lifecycle, sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and scaling complex deals, while ensuring integration and alignment with development, product, marketing, and company priorities. A trusted relationship builder and strategic operator, this leader brings deep industry knowledge, strong commercial instincts, and a proven ability to unlock mutual value through innovative collaborations.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• Develop and execute global commercial partnerships to drive revenue growth, engagement, and audience reach via IP licensing (inbound and outbound), game development and ancillary technologies, linear media, content distribution and other platform partnerships, brand partnerships, and other cross-franchise initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end partnership lifecycle: identify, source, negotiate, structure, and close complex, high-value deals.
• Own the portfolio of commercial partnerships, ensuring alignment with game teams, product roadmaps, and company objectives.
• Partner closely with development, product, marketing, legal, finance, and other internal teams to integrate partnerships seamlessly, ensure feasibility, and maximize mutual success.
• Serve as primary senior relationship manager for key partners, fostering trust, resolving issues, and identifying expansion opportunities.
• Define, track, and report on key partnership performance metrics to key internal stakeholders.
• Leverage market insights and competitive intelligence to identify gaps and areas for new opportunities.
• Stay on top of industry trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies.
• Maintain strong industry networks across all forms of media and entertainment to stay ahead of market developments and leverage emerging opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience

• Minimum 12 years of business development experience in a similar role. Experience in the video game, entertainment, or technology industries preferred.
• Proven track record of negotiating and closing complex, high-value deals with global brands, platforms, agencies, and IP holders.
• Demonstrated success driving revenue growth and building partnership portfolios that align with long-term company strategy.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with globally distributed teams across product, legal, marketing, finance, and development.
• Expertise in managing partner relationships through the full lifecycle—from initial outreach to operational integration and expansion.
• Strong financial acumen with experience forecasting and managing budgets tied to commercial outcomes.

Knowledge & Skills

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of the gaming, entertainment, or tech ecosystems, including monetization models, audience trends, and competitive dynamics.
• Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach; able to translate insights into actionable business opportunities.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrixed, fast-paced environment while maintaining a high bar for execution and collaboration.
• Strong organizational skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset and a passion for innovation.

EXTRA POINTS

• Familiarity with data analytics tools, CRM platforms, and market intelligence software.
• Strong understanding of go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and revenue optimization techniques.
• High level of gaming knowledge and/or skill.
• Passion for Blizzard’s line of products and services.

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entert