Best suited to seasoned professionals with deep AI and entertainment industry experience working in a fast-paced startup environment.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Promise Studios via Ashby
ABOUT PROMISE
Promise is a pioneering film and TV studio at the forefront of the generative AI revolution. Our mission is to reimagine what's possible in entertainment by bringing together the world's most visionary storytellers and GenAI creators, empowered by cutting-edge tools and proprietary workflows. Through bold collaborations and a forward-thinking approach to sourcing IP, we are building a dynamic slate of original and licensed projects that push creative boundaries. Backed by premier VC firms, Promise is shaping a new era in GenAI-powered storytelling, where creativity knows no limits.
ROLE OVERVIEW
As Director of Business Development, you'll lead Promise's commercial growth strategy, developing and executing partnerships across entertainment, generative AI, technology, and enterprise markets.
You'll own the full partnership lifecycle, from identifying opportunities and structuring deals to negotiating agreements and driving execution. Working directly with the founders and leadership team, you'll help shape company strategy, expand strategic relationships, and build scalable business development operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Business Development & Strategic Partnerships: Lead partnership strategy across AI companies, technology platforms, studios, distributors, and enterprise customers to drive revenue, growth, and market expansion.
- Technology & Product Partnerships: Develop strategic relationships with generative AI companies and technology platforms to secure commercial agreements, product integrations, co-innovation, preferred pricing, and joint go-to-market opportunities.
- Corporate Partnerships: Collaborate with executive leadership on new business models, strategic opportunities, and company-wide growth initiatives.
- Commercial Negotiations & Deal Execution: Own complex deals end-to-end, including commercial structuring, financial modeling, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
- Strategic Relationship Management: Build and maintain senior-level relationships across entertainment, technology, AI, and finance, maximizing the value of key partnerships.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with product, production, creative, legal, and finance teams to align partnership opportunities with business priorities and execution capabilities.
- Business Development Operations: Manage pipeline, forecasting, CRM, executive reporting, and scalable processes to support commercial growth.
- Program Management: Develop and oversee programmatic aspects of key business initiatives, including program structures, cross-functional coordination, and positive outcomes
QUALIFICATIONS
- 8 - 12 years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or corporate strategy across entertainment, technology, or media.
- Proven track record of originating, negotiating, and closing complex commercial partnerships and strategic agreements.
- Strong understanding of the generative AI ecosystem and its impact on entertainment, production, and distribution.
- Experience with technology licensing, enterprise agreements, content financing, distribution, or other strategic commercial transactions.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including deal structuring, pricing models, and partnership economics.
- Established ability to build senior executive relationships and navigate complex negotiations.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to execute independently and drive initiatives across multiple teams.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup environment with significant ownership.
- Los Angeles based, with on-site availability.
PREFERRED
- Direct experience partnering with frontier AI model providers or AI infrastructure companies.
- Existing network across AI, technology, studios, streaming platforms, and entertainment.
- Experience at a high-growth AI, SaaS, media-tech, or entertainment company.
- Experience building and scaling business development functions.
- Familiarity with content financing, IP licensing, and emerging AI commercial models.
COMPENSATION
We offer a highly competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including equity.
BENEFITS
We believe in supporting our team’s well-being and growth. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, with employee premiums covered 100%.
- Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including company holidays and sick leave.
- Financial Security: 401(k) matching program to help you plan for your future.
- Work Environment: A dynamic, creative, and inclusive hybrid work environment based out of our innovative studio.
Promise is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Source: Promise Studios careers (Ashby)