Strategy and Business Development Director - FAN EXPO

Informa Group . • New York, NY

2d • $165,000 - $190,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As the Strategy and Business Development Director, you will play a pivotal role in driving the expansion of the Fan Expo portfolio across North America. Partnering with the President of North America B2C, you’ll develop strategic plans for growth, identify new opportunities, and build compelling business cases using data-driven insights and competitive intelligence. From advising senior leaders on key initiatives to collaborating on talent strategies, you’ll help shape the future of fandom. With frequent travel and hands-on involvement in projects, this role is perfect for someone passionate about turning big ideas into actionable growth strategies while making fandom dreams a reality. This role is based in our New York, Santa Monica or Orlando office. Reporting to the President, the Strategy and Business Development Director will be responsible for developing and driving the growth of the Fan Expo portfolio.

Requirements

• Experience in a strategy role preparing financial models and supporting growth plans, including M&A activities.
• Proven ability to analyse data and insights to create compelling business cases and develop presentations, including 3YPs.
• +10 years of management experience in the entertainment industry, with strong project management and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task effectively, balancing short-term deliverables (e.g., show execution) with long-term strategic initiatives (e.g., M&A, process improvements, and strategic option analysis).
• Experience in fast-moving, dynamically changing work environments, combined with significant travel.
• Strong critical thinking, adaptive reasoning, and risk management skills to navigate complex challenges and ensure successful outcomes.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing and developing people, with exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills to build strong relationships and leverage opportunities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and recall, with the ability to shift between detail-oriented tasks and high-level strategic decision-making.
• Skilled in identifying and implementing action plans to improve performance, processes, and systems.
• Demonstrated ambition to drive for overachievement with deliverables through superior prioritization skills, delegation skills and resourcefulness.

Nice To Haves

• Highly Ambitious: Demonstrates a strong commitment to long-term success and growth within the organisation.
• Ownership Mindset & Entrepreneurial Instinct: Takes initiative, approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented attitude, and operates with accountability.
• Resilience & Positive Attitude: Maintains composure, optimism, and adaptability in high-pressure situations.
• Inspirational Leadership: Motivates and empowers teams, fostering collaboration and a high-energy work environment.
• Integrity & Transparency: Upholds honesty and ethical behavior, building trust with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinker: Balances a long-term vision with immediate priorities, keeping the "fan first" philosophy at the forefront of decision-making.
• Thick Skin & Constructive Mindset: Welcomes direct and honest feedback, using it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
• People-Oriented: Builds strong relationships, enjoys working with diverse teams, and thrives in a dynamic, people-focused environment.
• Hands-On Approach: Embraces a "no job is too small" mentality, contributing wherever needed to ensure success.
• High-Energy Lifestyle: Enjoys the fast-paced nature of the role, including frequent travel and engaging with colleagues and partners.
• Intellectually Curious & Sharp: Eager to learn, ask questions, and explore new ideas with a keen sense of curiosity and a strong ability to read between the lines.
• Detail-Oriented & Strategic: Possesses a strong eye for detail and an excellent memory, while effectively translating high-level directions into actionable plans.
• Balanced Approach: Bridges entrepreneurial creativity with corporate structure, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Clear & Concise Communicator: Articulates ideas effectively and ensures clarity in all communications.
• Responsive & Independent: Operates with a sense of urgency and autonomy, progressing initiatives outside of traditional working hours when necessary.
• Serious Yet Fun: Balances a professional, results-driven approach with a sense of humour and enjoyment in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the President of North America B2C to develop strategic plans for organic growth and new launch opportunities to further expand the Fan Expo portfolio.
• Analyse data and trends to identify key insights to present to the President of Fan Expo and other senior leaders within the team as needed.
• Use competitive intelligence and internal data to develop and support business cases for growth opportunities, including organic expansion and through M&A.
• Advise the executive team on strategic initiatives and manage activities to implementation.
• Working with the President of North America B2C, and the Director of Talent & Content, assist in the development of the talent strategy.
• This role requires extensive and frequent travel throughout North America.
• Assist the President of North America B2C with various projects to drive growth and development for the portfolio.
• Support the President’s ambition to identify opportunities for business development through research, insights and develop presentations and reports that provide compelling business cases.
• Achieve programming objectives as established by the business.
• Measurably improve Fan Expo celebrity and content programs at all events through key strategic talent decisions.

Benefits

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active colleague groups and networks promoting a positive, supportive, and collaborative work environment
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• Time out: 15 days PTO rising to 20 after three years and 25 after six years, plus 10 national holidays, a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• Competitive benefits, including a 401k match, health, vision and dental insurance, parental leave and an ESPP offering company shares at a minimum 15% discount
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed