Director, Esports - Overwatch

Blizzard Entertainment•Irvine, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Overwatch is one of the world’s most dynamic and globally recognized franchises—bringing together fast-paced gameplay, iconic heroes, and passionate communities of players and fans from around the world. Esports is a core pillar of the Overwatch experience, from the dramatic highs and lows of organized group play to the excitement of watching the world's best players competing at live events. We are seeking a strong leader to serve as Director of Overwatch Esports. This role blends business leadership, strategic vision, and competitive gaming expertise to define and execute the future of Overwatch esports globally. You will lead the strategy, P&L, and execution of a global, multi-region ecosystem, including OWCS regional circuits, international events, partner team programs, and integrated in-game experiences, while managing a high-performing team at Blizzard. This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA

Requirements

10+ years of experience in esports, gaming, sports, consulting, or related industries.
Proven experience in a senior leadership role within esports, gaming, or live-service ecosystems.
Strong business acumen with demonstrated experience owning or influencing P&L, revenue models, cost structures, and long-term strategic planning.
Deep understanding of esports ecosystems, including league operations, team partnerships, and global event execution.
Experience leading large, cross-functional teams in a global organization.
Demonstrated ability to partner with product and game development teams to influence roadmap and outcomes.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical mindset with a track record of data-driven decision making.
Willingness to travel globally for events and partner engagements.

Nice To Haves

Deep passion for Overwatch and familiarity with its competitive ecosystem.
Experience working on esports ecosystems at major publishers (e.g., Riot Games, EA, Ubisoft).
Experience with digital monetization systems, virtual economies, and live-service business models.
Global experience across regions such as Korea, China, EMEA, and North America.

Responsibilities

Own and drive the global business strategy, vision, and execution of the Overwatch esports ecosystem across all OWCS regions and international events.
Lead overall business performance of the ecosystem, including P&L ownership, cost management, and long-term financial sustainability.
Define and execute monetization strategy across esports, including sponsorships, media rights, digital products, and integrated in-game systems (MTX).
Design and evolve the OWCS partner team program, including team economics, revenue-sharing structures, and long-term partner value creation.
Identify, evaluate, and scale new business opportunities that expand the reach and impact of the ecosystem.
Partner closely with game development to ensure esports is integrated into the Overwatch player experience and informs priorities across features, systems, marketing, and roadmap.
Collaborate cross-functionally with publishing, marketing, analytics, and community teams to align esports strategy with broader franchise goals and seasonal marketing campaigns.
Oversee global live events and broadcast strategy, ensuring operational excellence, financial discipline, and best-in-class fan experiences at scale.
Structure, negotiate, and manage high-impact partnerships across sponsors, media platforms, and third-party operators.
Serve as a key external representative for Overwatch esports with teams, players, partners, and the global community.
Establish clear KPIs and performance frameworks; deliver regular reporting, insights, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Ensure competitive integrity and operational excellence across all tournaments and circuits globally.
Leverage data, market insights, and community feedback to continuously refine strategy, inform investment decisions, and improve ecosystem performance.
Lead and develop a global, cross-functional team across product, operations, partnerships, and competitive integrity.