Joblaze summary

The Director of Business Development at Promise is responsible for spearheading the company's growth strategy by forging and managing partnerships across the entertainment and generative AI sectors. This role requires a deep understanding of the generative AI landscape, along with strong skills in negotiation and deal execution. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in business development within technology or media, and a proven ability to build relationships with senior executives. The position involves close collaboration with the leadership team to align business initiatives with strategic goals.

Joblaze insights

Listed today — first seen on Joblaze November 14, 2026. Last confirmed on Promise's careers page November 14, 2026.
AI/ML appears in 18.5% of 572 comparable director management roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Director of Business Development role remote?: No — this is an on-site role in Los Angeles, United States.
How much experience is required?: 8–12 years of relevant experience for this Director of Business Development role.
Where is the role based?: Promise is hiring for this position in Los Angeles, United States.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: AI/ML, Entertainment, Generative AI, Technology.
What seniority level is this role?: Promise targets director candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Director of Business Development role at Promise.

From the original posting

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.

Director of Business Development