Executive Director, Business Development - NYT Wirecutter

About the Role

Wirecutter is a product review website owned by The New York Times Company that rigorously tests consumer products and then recommends the best items in a range of categories. We're a group of experts and fanatics who love what we do, and the discerning readers we attract appreciate our integrity and editorial independence. Wirecutter has built a tremendous business on an affiliate model, growing audience and revenue year over year.

Wirecutter is looking for an Executive Director of Business Development to lead a high-impact business development function that unlocks the next generation of deals, partnerships, and revenue streams for Wirecutter.

This executive director will be a “builder” and an operator: you will define the strategy for the Business Development function, originate and close deals, and create the structures that allow the team to consistently surface, evaluate, and execute net-new opportunities across our revenue lines. You will focus on net-new opportunities, as well as new models within our existing businesses.

You will report to the Vice President, Revenue, NYT Wirecutter and will be a member of Wirecutter's revenue leadership team, working with colleagues across Wirecutter and The New York Times Company.

This hybrid position is based in the New York office.

Responsibilities:

Set the business development vision and strategy; ensure accountability

• Define the strategy, scope, and success measures for Wirecutter's Business Development function across affiliate, advertising, licensing, ecommerce, and emerging businesses.

• Build a clear framework and opportunity pipeline that prioritize opportunities by revenue impact, strategic value, audience impact, and operational complexity.

• Define, track, and communicate clear KPIs and performance metrics that quantify the impact of business development activities on revenue and strategic goals.

Build deep business relationships and lead generation

• Build and own senior-level relationships that generate qualified leads and unlock net-new, strategically important opportunities and deal flow for Wirecutter.

• Act as a visible commercial ambassador for Wirecutter, using external forums, partner meetings, and industry conversations to strengthen relationships, expand the network, and maintain an opportunity pipeline.

Lead a high-performing team and inclusive culture

• Lead a diverse, high-performing team that is directly accountable for ambitious revenue, profitability, and strategic impact goals across Wirecutter's business.

• Foster an inclusive, mission-driven culture where people are supported and challenged to do the best work of their careers, with clear feedback, development, and recognition practices.

Lead deal origination and partner with internal execution teams

• Oversee the full deal lifecycle, from sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and handoff to operating teams.

• Maintain a high-quality pipeline of partners.

Guide cross-functional and enterprise collaboration

• Collaborate with product, design, engineering, legal, finance and analytics to unlock new commercial models. Advocate for business development priorities with internal groups.

• Partner with broader NYT teams on integrated, enterprise partnerships where Wirecutter is a key driver.

• Protect editorial independence and reader trust while shaping compelling business opportunities.

Basic Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, corporate development, or related fields, with significant experience in digital media, commerce, platforms, or related technology-driven businesses.

• Deep existing industry relationships and the ability to build and manage external relationships that unlock new opportunities

• 5+ years leading and developing high-performing BD or partnerships teams, managing people, including managers and senior individual contributors, ideally in matrixed or multi-business environments.

• Demonstrated track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing complex, multi-party deals that drive meaningful revenue and strategic value — including hybrid or multi-line partnerships (e.g., combinations of affiliate, advertising, licensing, and/or ecommerce).

• Experience launching new revenue streams or business lines from concept through pilot to scale, ideally in environments where business models are evolving or diversifying.

• Strong fluency in deal economics and financial modeling (e.g., P&L impact, scenario analysis, unit economics, risk/return considerations), and comfort partnering with Finance on multi-year business cases.

• Comfort operating in ambiguity and building structure where none exists; able to balance long-term vision with near-term execution and revenue delivery.

• Exceptional relationship builder and communicator, with experience earning trust and influencing at the C-suite level, both internally and externally.

• You care deeply about protecting Wirecutter's editorial independence and reader trust while unlocking ambitious, mutually beneficial commercial opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A creative visionary who can identify and ideate opportunities that will create shared value for Wirecutter, our partners and our readers alike.

• A strategic thinker who can see the full Wirecutter and NYT portfolio, identify leverage points across affiliate, advertising, licensing, and ecommerce, and design partnerships that unlock value at their intersections.

• Strong cross-functional collaborator who has successfully partnered with editorial/content, product, engineering, marketing, analytics, and finance teams in mission-driven organizations.

• Deep curiosity about the evolving commerce, media, and content landscape, and a track record of staying ahead of market shifts and emerging models (e.g., retail media, creator and platform ecosystems, AI-driven discovery and shopping).

• Commitment to building an inclusive team culture where diverse perspectives are sought out and can meaningfully influence strategy and execution.

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