APAC Esports Business Development & Partnerships Manager (Contract)

The Riot Commercial Partnerships (RCP) team is responsible for identifying, building, and executing world-class partnerships with leading global brands. Our mission is to drive revenue through strategic commercial collaborations that create meaningful value for Riot’s players and fans across Games, Entertainment, Esports, and Social Impact. Every product and event Riot delivers is elevated through the support of premier partners who help shape unforgettable experiences for millions of players and audiences worldwide. We’re looking for humble but ambitious, razor-sharp professionals who can teach us a thing or two—and we promise to return the favor. Like us, you take play seriously. You’re passionate about gaming, energized by innovation, and motivated by building meaningful business relationships. We value people who challenge convention, embrace experimentation, and push beyond perceived limitations. That’s where you come in. As the APAC Esports Business Development & Partnerships Manager (Contract), you will play a key role within Riot’s APAC Commercial Partnerships team, with a primary focus on driving new business growth and strategic revenue opportunities across the region. Reporting to the Principal of Esports Business Development APAC, this role is designed for a commercially driven professional with strong experience in business development and client relationship management. The role is primarily focused on new business development with an expectation to also support partnerships management as required by the team. You will be required to travel for work from time to time. You will lead efforts to secure new sponsorship revenue opportunities for the Riot APAC esports ecosystem, including but not limited to League of Legends and VALORANT esports. You will also help shape long-term commercial strategies in collaboration with global and regional teams while managing select strategic accounts to ensure successful execution, partner satisfaction, and long-term growth. This role requires a strong understanding of the esports, gaming, and entertainment landscape, paired with the ability to build executive-level relationships, navigate complex negotiations, and deliver innovative partnership solutions that align with Riot’s brand and player-focused philosophy. Responsibilities: Business Development (Primary ~70% of role) • Identify, source, develop, negotiate and close new commercial partnership opportunities across the APAC region to drive revenue growth. • Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners across key sponsor categories. • Lead the end-to-end sales process including prospecting, outreach, pitch development, negotiation, contracting, and partner onboarding. • Develop strategic partnership proposals and customized commercial solutions aligned with the priorities of Riot’s esports products, audience, and brand values. • Collaborate with global and regional stakeholders to align partnership opportunities with the broader Riot commercial strategies. • Track market trends, competitive activity, and emerging partnership opportunities within gaming, esports, sports, media, and entertainment. • Represent Riot Games externally with senior client stakeholders, agencies, and industry partners. Partnerships Management (Secondary ~30% of role) • Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned partners, ensuring strong relationship management and high partner satisfaction • Oversee partnership execution across broadcast integrations, social campaigns, experiential activations, and branded content opportunities • Collaborate cross-functionally with publishing, esports, event production and insights teams to ensure seamless delivery of partner entitlements. • Support renewal conversations by demonstrating partnership performance, strategic value, and future growth opportunities • Monitor campaign performance, reporting, and analytics to provide actionable insights and maximize partner outcomes • Help refine internal processes and operational workflows that support scalable partnership delivery across APAC Desired Qualifications: • 5+ years of experience in business development, sponsorship sales and partnerships / account management within esports, gaming, sports, media, entertainment, or related industries. • Proven track record of sourcing and closing high-value commercial partnerships. • Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills with experience managing senior level stakeholders. • Independent, reliable and accountable salesperson with the ability to run their own deals with minimal supervision. • Having a strong existing network of clients to tap into is a plus. • Strong understanding of the APAC market and familiarity with the gaming and esports ecosystem • Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. • Experience working cross-functionally across regional and global teams. • Strong commercial acumen paired with strategic and creative thinking • Passion for gaming, esports, and player communities