Set the long-term vision and content strategy for ESPN's studio shows, digital production, podcasts, and audio platforms.
Lead large-scale, cross-functional organizations with a focus on editorial excellence, innovation, collaboration, and audience impact.
Serve as a key strategic advisor and thought partner to ESPN executive leadership on the future of sports storytelling, fan engagement, and content consumption trends.
Drive alignment across platforms to ensure cohesive and scalable audience strategies.
Editorial & Content Leadership
Oversee the editorial strategy, creative direction, and production execution of ESPN's studio and entertainment portfolio, ensuring industry-leading storytelling and production quality.
Partner closely with ESPN's news, investigative, and live event organizations to strengthen editorial collaboration and uphold the highest journalistic standards.
Lead the evolution of multiplatform content formats by integrating audience insights, emerging trends, and innovative technologies to modernize storytelling and fan engagement.
Champion innovation, including the thoughtful integration of AI, automation, audience analytics, and emerging production technologies to enhance content creation and operational efficiency.
Talent Leadership & Team Development
Direct the strategy, development, and performance management of on-air talent across studio, digital, podcast, and audio platforms.
Partner with the Talent Office, Programming, and Production leaders to identify, develop, and elevate next-generation talent and personalities.
Build, lead, and develop high-performing creative teams while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
Operational Excellence
Lead complex production operations, including budgeting, staffing, workforce planning, scheduling, and resource allocation across multiple business units and platforms.
Drive operational efficiency while maintaining creative excellence and supporting business growth priorities.
Build scalable workflows and modern production practices that improve speed, flexibility, collaboration, and execution across teams.
Leverage audience analytics, data insights, and performance metrics to inform programming, content strategy, and operational decision-making.
Partnership & Influence
Collaborate closely with senior leadership, leagues, distribution partners, and key stakeholders to expand audience reach, strengthen brand impact, and support business growth objectives.
Foster strong cross-functional relationships across production, programming, digital, social, technology, marketing, and communications organizations.
Lead and influence effectively within a highly matrixed, fast-paced organization.
Requirements
A minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in sports media, studio production, digital media, entertainment, or related content organizations, including significant executive leadership experience.
Proven success leading large, complex creative and operational organizations within a fast-paced, multiplatform environment.
Deep understanding of sports media, audience behaviors, multiplatform distribution strategies, and evolving digital consumption trends.
Strong track record of balancing creative excellence with operational rigor, business priorities, and audience growth objectives.
Experience managing large-scale production operations, incl
Benefits
Vision insurance
Additional Information
Job Posting Title:
SVP Sports Studio & Entertainment
Req ID:
10152945
Job Description:
At ESPN, we serve sports fans anytime, anywhere through industry-leading content, storytelling, and experiences across linear, digital, social, streaming, audio, and emerging platforms. As part of The Walt Disney Company, ESPN continues to evolve the future of sports media through innovation, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to serving fans around the world.
Our culture is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, creativity, and excellence - empowering teams to push boundaries, elevate storytelling, and create meaningful connections through sports.
The Senior Vice President, Sports Studio & Entertainment will lead the strategic vision, editorial direction, and operational execution across ESPN's studio programming, digital production, podcasts, and audio portfolio. This executive will shape how ESPN connects with fans through premium storytelling, innovative content experiences, and industry-leading talent across every platform.
As a key member of ESPN's executive leadership team, the SVP will partner closely across content, programming, talent, digital, social, marketing, operations, and technology to drive audience growth, deepen engagement, and strengthen ESPN's leadership in sports media.
This leader will balance creative excellence with operational rigor - driving innovation, developing high-performing teams, and evolving ESPN's multiplatform content strategy to meet the changing behaviors of sports fans.
Disney · Bristol, CT