Director, Business Operations

Role Overview

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new growth opportunities that expand LidsU’s presence within the collegiate marketplace, including new NCAA partnerships and program enhancements.
• Lead and support negotiations with prospective and existing partners.
• Assess market trends, competitive dynamics, and portfolio performance to inform growth strategies and acquisition initiatives.
• Act as an executive contact for a diverse portfolio of NCAA partnerships, fostering trusted, collaborative relationships across all stakeholders.
• Provide holistic oversight of partner programs, ensuring alignment between strategic intent, operational execution, and partner expectations.
• Proactively identify risks, challenges, and opportunities within the portfolio and drive solutions in partnership with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Partner closely with BNED and internal LidsU teams to ensure strong in store execution, operational consistency, and effective implementation of merchandising strategies.
• Oversee the operational health of partner programs, ensuring processes, timelines, and deliverables support both growth objectives and day to day success.
• Translate company leadership’s strategic priorities into clear, actionable plans that are executed effectively across all partner initiatives.
• Serve as a connective leader across multiple functions to ensure alignment, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Communicate clearly and consistently, synthesizing partner feedback, operational insights, and performance data into actionable recommendations.
• Champion a solutions oriented mindset, driving continuous improvement across both external partnerships and internal workflows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sports Marketing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience across business development, partnership management, operations, or merchandising within sports, retail, or the collegiate ecosystem.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, structure, and advance growth opportunities through strategic partnerships.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience aligning commercial terms, strategies, and long term partner objectives.
• Ability to assess market dynamics, financial performance, and portfolio health to inform strategic decision making.
• Brings prior hands on retail experience that informs sound operational judgment, enabling a practical understanding of store level operations, executional workflows, and field realities.
• Proven ability to balance strategic initiatives with operational discipline, ensuring consistent execution across complex, multi partner programs.
• Strong track record of building and sustaining trusted relationships with senior level stakeholders, including NCAA institutions, athletic departments, licensing offices, and external partners.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence, communicate, and present effectively to internal leadership and external audiences.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) with the ability to synthesize data into insights and executive level materials.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible work hours
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities