(VP) Commercial Director, Dance & Entertainment Brands

VP Commercial Director, Dance & Entertainment Brands

Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment creates bold, authentic, and unforgettable experiences that redefine sports, entertainment, and hospitality, The Brooklyn Way. As the parent company of marquee properties including the Brooklyn Nets, NY Liberty and Barclays Center, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment operates at the intersection of live entertainment, premium hospitality, and community engagement. As it expands its existing portfolio, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment now includes BK MAG, as well as Brooklyn Wine Club, and a hospitality business developing several location-based entertainment properties. Whether on the court, on stage, or in the workplace, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment is driven by a pursuit of excellenceconstantly evolving, innovating, and pushing boundaries to elevate its business and expand its fan base. The company is deeply committed to fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion, both internally and across its communities, ensuring that every interaction reflects its values of growth mindset, integrity, accountability and care.
We are guided by our core values:
Integrity: Be intellectually honest at all times. Demonstrate the highest professional and ethical standards.
Care: Care for everything and everyone around us. Practice empathy, respect, and inclusion to promote an environment of excellence and success.
Growth Mindset: Develop ourselves and those around us. Experiment, learn, and improve from everything we do.
Accountability: Deliver on our word, take responsibility for our actions, and work in the interest of our team.
The VP Commercial Director, Dance & Entertainment Brands will be responsible for unlocking and optimizing the commercial potential of the performers for the New York Liberty, inclusive of team mascot, Ellie, and the Brooklyn Nets entertainment teams. The role will oversee the development of a comprehensive licensing strategy, identifying and negotiating strategic partnerships & collaborations, expanding media and content opportunities (e.g., books, animation, digital content) and launching new consumer products.
For Ellie, this individual will be tasked with transforming a highly visible and culturally resonant mascot into a powerful, revenue-generating brand. The individual will ultimately be challenged with assessing additional opportunities for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and crafting a long-term roadmap to expand commercially into different dance and entertainment verticals. This role calls for a deep understanding of intellectual property development, brand building and licensing, and has demonstrated the ability to translate emerging IP into scalable, commercial entities.
What You Will Do:
Develop and execute a comprehensive business plan to commercialize Ellie across the consumer products, media, retail, children's content, and experiential categories
Craft a commercial plan for additional Nets and Liberty performance teams and identify opportunities to extend Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment's footprint in dance and performance entertainment
Lead end-to-end licensing strategy for the IP, including evaluation of categories, partner selection, negotiation of deals, and management of ongoing relationships
Identify and build high-value strategic partnerships across publishing, entertainment, retail, CPG, and/or digital media to grow our brands and reach target audiences
Oversee the development and commercialization of consumer product lines (e.g., apparel, toys, collectibles) in collaboration with internal Merchandising and Marketing teams
Drive the creation of original content including animated series, digital shorts and/or social-first storytelling, in partnership with content creators and studios
Serve as the primary liaison to the Liberty brand to steward Ellie's identity, voice & positioning across all commercial expressions, ensuring consistency and resonance
Partner with internal and NBA/WNBA legal & brand teams to manage contracts, protect IP, and enforce brand guidelines across all licensing and partnership agreements
Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Community Relations, Merchandising, and Partnerships to fully integrate mascot and performer activations across platforms
Lead market research and consumer insight efforts to assess performance and guide content, product, and partnership decisions
Represent the mascot and performer brands at industry events, trade shows, and within licensing communities to build awareness and cultivate commercial opportunities
What You Will Bring:
12+ years of experience in licensing, brand management, and/or consumer products within the sports, entertainment, or media industries.
Demonstrated success in developing and monetizing IP-driven brands across multiple verticals, with specific experience in character licensing and branded content
Proven ability to originate, structure, and negotiate complex deals with entertainment studios, publishers, retailers, and licensees
Strong track record of launching and managing consumer product lines, with expertise in go-to-market strategy, design collaboration, and retail execution
A deep network of contacts across relevant industries
Excellent business judgment and ability to leverage data-based insights to inform decision-making
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting ideas to executive leadership and external partners
Entrepreneurial spirit rooted in action, curiosity, and a growth mindset
Who You Are:
An entrepreneurial leader who thrives in creative and fast-paced environments
Passionate storyteller with a brand-building mindset
Strong collaborator with high emotional intelligence, able to align stakeholders around bold vision and shared goals
Travel Requirements:
This role may include occasional travel to industry events, licensing expos, production meetings, or other relevant engagements.
Salary Range:
$170,000 - $220,000
Work Environment:
Works primarily in an office environment but will be expected to attend games, activations, and other mascot-related events, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed. The role also requires regular attendance at external meetings with clients, partners, and prospective collaborators, including business dinners and entertainment engagements as part of relationship development and deal-making responsibilities.