Director, Business Development

About the role

U.S. News & World Report is a multifaceted digital media company dedicated to helping citizens, consumers, business leaders and policy officials make important decisions. We publish independent reporting, rankings, data journalism and advice that has earned the trust of our readers and users for 90 years. This role will help shape acquisition or investment pathways, identify emerging needs, and inform solution development that aligns with our mission. The Director works with cross-functional teams (e.g., general managers, product managers, engineers, marketing, finance, human resources, and legal) to facilitate the implementation of deals for Health, Law Firms, Investment & Corporate Development, and other projects.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth: Develop and implement growth strategies aligned with U.S. News’s mission priorities in Health, Investment & Corporate Development, Law Firms, Scholarship Database, and other business areas. Support the development of targeted marketing materials, white papers, and mission-aligned demonstrations.
• Health: Partner with the EVP & GM, Health to source, structure, and negotiate health business development transactions. Engage with the Health vertical’s customers and stakeholders to identify mission needs, shape outreach, and determine technical and operational requirements. Screen and onboard potential prospects (e.g., NDAs), conduct business diligence, and negotiate agreements.
• Investment & Corporate Development: Partner with the Chief Financial & Operating Officer to identify, qualify, and mature large-scale business development opportunities. Structure and negotiate transactions, engage stakeholders to shape acquisition strategies, and understand customer acquisition patterns to position the company advantageously.
• Law Firms: Partner with Data, Editorial, Tech, and other teams to create a best-in-class ranking/rating of top law firms. Perform competitive reviews, participate in market research (e.g., interviews with marketing officers and general counsel), assist in data acquisition, and provide input to product and data teams. Work on socialization, distribution, and marketing of the final product.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Build and strengthen relationships with industry partners, support internal investments aligned with mission needs, and collaborate with data, editorial, tech, and legal teams to advance projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of proven experience in business development, sales, or a related field.
• Ability to manage multiple executive sponsors across different projects.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with customers, partners, competitors, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to gather and analyze market intelligence and competitive data.
• Strategic thinking and experience developing long-term growth plans.
• Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, finance, and technical teams.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with experience presenting to senior executives and external stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and relentless follow-through on actions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the media industry.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits including paid vacation time, medical coverage, tuition reimbursement, and training.
• Entrepreneurial, mission-driven culture with core values of quality and integrity.
• Focus on fostering personal and professional growth.
• Collaborative work environment with fun, diverse, inclusive, and ambitious co-workers.

Schedule

Strong preference for New York or Washington, DC-based applicants to work a hybrid schedule in those office locations.