Principal Esports Business Development Manager

For every global product and event produced by Riot Games, premiere partners help us bring amazing experiences to our fans and live audiences. These invaluable partners provide the resources and expertise that allow us to level up the experience for millions of fans across the world. From weekly content pieces to flying a fan to the World Finals to meet their heroes, our sponsors do it all. But they can’t do it alone—that’s where our Global Esports Business Development and Partnerships Team comes in. The team attracts, services, and retains our partners, acting as brand ambassadors of Riot Games to external parties and as emissaries of our partners to our fans, pro players, and teams.

As a Principal Esports Business Development Manager, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Esports Business Development for Global and Americas, you will play a strategic role in contributing to the commercialization strategy behind Riot's biggest annual events and competitive ecosystems. You will act as a key subject matter expert and contributor in securing high-impact, long-term partnerships that strengthen our esports business and bring innovative, industry-defining collaborations to life. Beyond securing deals, you will help shape Riot’s global sponsorship strategy in partnership with the Sr. Manager leading Global and Americas. You will leverage deep industry knowledge and relationships to identify and execute strategic opportunities that enhance the value of our esports portfolio. You will also serve as a mentor and leader within the team, helping to develop junior business development professionals and ensuring best-in-class deal execution.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end sponsorship sales process, from prospecting to deal closure, managing a robust pipeline of high-value partners and ensuring long-term retention.
• Contribute to and execute against Riot’s global esports sponsorship strategy, aligning commercial efforts with the long-term vision for Riot’s esports ecosystem.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (content, broadcast, product, marketing, finance, legal) to identify and structure new business opportunities, ensuring seamless partner integration into Riot’s global esports products.
• Create and oversee premium sponsorship offerings across Riot’s major global esports events, ensuring each partner activation enhances the fan experience and delivers meaningful value.
• Own key relationships at senior levels with existing and prospective partners, negotiating complex, high-value deals and ensuring strategic alignment.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies in esports, sports, entertainment, and media to drive innovation and new revenue opportunities.
• Act as a thought leader within the esports business development space, helping to shape Riot’s approach to partnerships and monetization.
• Mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and best-in-class execution.

Required Qualifications:

• 8-10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or sponsorship sales, with a proven track record of structuring and closing high-value deals in gaming, sports, entertainment, or media.
• Strong understanding of global esports, sports, and entertainment landscapes, with the ability to translate trends into actionable business opportunities.
• Expert negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives, with a deep understanding of sponsorship valuation, content monetization, and brand partnerships.

Desired Qualifications:

• Deep experience in gaming, esports, content distribution, or live entertainment partnerships.
• Strong storytelling, presentation, and sales collateral development capabilities.
• Track record of high renewal rates and long-term partner retention.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, global environment while balancing multiple priorities.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, strategic leadership, and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes innovation and long-term value creation. If you have a passion for esports, a keen business acumen, and a drive to push the industry forward, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Our Perks:

Riot has a focus on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy, in addition to other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner's Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do, and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.