Director, Business Development

Sony Corporation of America, located in New York, NY, is the U.S. headquarters of Sony Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth.

About the role

The Director of Business Development will join the Corp DX (Digital Transformation) group based in San Diego, CA or Culver City, CA. The Digital Transformation Office drives the delivery of highly impactful program solutions worldwide across the different Sony Group of Companies. In this role, you will lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and execute strategic opportunities that align with our long-term business goals. This position requires a blend of strategic deal-making, technical fluency, and a proven ability to monetize platform capabilities. You will communicate complex solutions for fan and creator engagement, engage with multiple Sony entities and strategic partners, and collaborate closely with Product Management and Strategy Planning teams. This is a hybrid role requiring 2-3 days on-site in our Culver City, CA or San Diego, CA office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development strategies to drive revenue, partnerships, and market expansion.
• Drive business conversations with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders, demonstrating a strong understanding of technology products and translating technical capabilities into clear, compelling business value propositions.
• Generate revenue with a clear monetization plan by providing technical context, strategic positioning, relationship development, and success metrics.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate strategic alliances and other business growth opportunities.
• Own the end-to-end deal process, from prospecting and due diligence to negotiation and post-deal integration.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and whitespace opportunities.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to align partnership and product strategies.
• Work with internal staff, management teams, and external Sony entities (including subject matter experts, technology teams, data governance, legal, and security teams) to identify and communicate expectations and tasks.
• Maintain honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical conduct in all responsibilities.

Requirements

• BA/BS Degree in Business or a relevant technical field and a minimum of 15 years of professional work experience in Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Development, or similar roles.
• MBA or advanced technical degree is a significant plus.
• Strong understanding of technology products and the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value.
• Proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing strategic deals.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills with a track record of successfully engaging and influencing C-level stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional groups across divisions worldwide.
• Exceptional leadership versatility; able to communicate and negotiate across all levels—from C-suite executives to frontline execution.
• Proficient in driving and implementing strategic partnership plans with a creative approach to solving complex challenges.
• Outstanding financial and quantitative analysis skills to identify business trends and synthesize findings in clear business language.
• Experience in domestic and international business landscapes.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, ambiguous, and evolving environment.
• Japanese language skills are a plus.
• Familiarity with other Sony affiliates is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits.
• Fertility benefits, including surrogacy and adoption assistance programs.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and children.
• Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability plans.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave.
• 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with immediate vesting.
• Education assistance and student loan programs.
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid work schedules.
• Paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s Day (based on business needs).
• Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility).
• Matching gift program.
• Employee business resource groups (EBRGs).
• Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees.
• Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions).

Pay

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $185,000 to $210,000. In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 22%. The actual base salary offered depends on factors such as qualifications, years of relevant experience, specific skills, education, certifications, and location.

This role is hybrid, requiring 2-3 days on-site in Culver City, CA or San Diego, CA.