About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced, visionary, and commercially driven Business Development Director to lead our strategic corporate development, investments, and commercial business in Korea. This role will serve as the strategic and operational leader, primarily focusing on long-term growth and asset investments (approx. 65%), while supervising and driving the brand partnership and sync business through dedicated team management (approx. 35%).  
 
As the Head of BD, the successful candidate will take personal ownership of high-impact strategic growth initiatives—including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), catalogue acquisitions, co-production deals, and strategic new artist signings. Simultaneously, the candidate will oversee a team of Brand Partnership and Sync managers, maximizing the value of WMG’s extensive global and domestic footprint, and strengthening our position as the leading entertainment and music partner in Korea. This role requires a unique combination of corporate development capability, music/entertainment industry expertise, an extensive network, and a proven track record of leading high-value commercial transactions.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Corporate Development 

• Identify, evaluate, and execute strategic investment opportunities in the Korean market, including Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, and strategic corporate alliances. 
• Lead the identification, valuation, and assessment of music catalogue acquisition opportunities to expand the company's domestic repertoire and maximize long-term asset value. 
• Scout and secure high-potential, strategic new artist signings and label services opportunities in close collaboration with the local A&R and management teams. 
• Initiate, structure, and negotiate strategic co-production opportunities with media companies, broadcast networks, and external content creators to build new IP and diversify revenue streams.
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing heavily to the broader corporate growth, investment strategy, and financial forecasting of the company. 

Brand Partnerships & Sync Management 

• Supervise and mentor the Brand Partnership and Sync teams, ensuring clear alignment on KPIs, pipeline development, and executional planning. 
• Provide strategic guidance to the Sync Manager in optimizing WMG’s large catalogue, responding to high-value creative briefs, and secure high-profile sync placements. 
• Establish capabilities and optimize resource allocation across the BD team to streamline workflow and improve pitch conversion rates for brand campaigns. 
• Oversee key account management and high-stakes pitch meetings, structuring commercial deal terms for major brand partnerships, events, and endorsements. 

 
Regional & Global Collaboration

• Partner closely with Regional and Global Corporate Development, Sync, Brand, Legal, and Finance teams to coordinate high-value investments and commercial priorities. 
• Regularly share local market insights, trend data, M&A landscapes, and competitive analysis with regional and global stakeholders. 

Qualifications & Experience

• 13+ years of successful experience within corporate development, M&A, entertainment investments, business development, or related music and media sectors. 
• Proven track record of closing complex corporate transactions (e.g., M&A, catalogue acquisitions, co-productions, or major artist/label signings). 
• Deep understanding of the Korean music market, global digital music ecosystem, valuation of music assets, and corporate investment structures. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex commercial negotiations, evaluate corporate investment targets, and manage corporate P/L. 
• Extensive, active contact list of entertainment companies, production houses, finance/investment firms, major brands, and industry stakeholders in Korea. 
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, presentation, and interpersonal skills. 
• Highly organized, commercial mind with a relentless desire to accomplish corporate KPIs and drive exceptional growth. 
• Fluent in both Korean and English (written and spoken). 
• Bachelor's degree required (Business, Finance, or Music-related disciplines preferred).