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StarNet Interactive

Vice President, Business Development

Company Description:  StarNet Interactive owns and operates GirlSense.com, a rapidly growing online community for tween girls based around virtual fashion design and virtual retail that encourages creativity, collaboration and community as well as an entrepreneurial spirit in its members. The site currently serves one million US-based unique users per month and is in the early stages of building out its potential as a successful business.

Overall Opportunity:  This is a special opportunity to help establish a special brand here in the USA - at ground floor level - as well as to be part of a dynamic, creative leadership team.  GirlSense.com wants to build its business in the right way – by providing stand-out content, cutting-edge applications and a safe, branded community for its enthusiastic users, thereby creating an attractive media environment for business partners and advertisers who wish to reach the tween girl audience. StarNet Interactive is looking for an entrepreneurial, energetic, enthusiastic and strategically-trained business development professional who can help chart the growth of this exciting company, working closely with senior management.

Specific Role:  To mastermind business strategy for the GirlSense.com brand in the USA (NYC-based) and to seek out and manage appropriate partners to facilitate the company’s growth.

General Candidate Attributes:   The ideal candidate for this position will have at least a 5 year history of business development experience, including a demonstrably strong track record of success in developing digital media revenues (online, mobile, other interactive).  S/he will have spent several years working for a company (or within the media practice of a consultancy firm) that has experience in owning and operating digital media platforms such as consumer websites, e-Commerce operations or mobile content platforms. S/he will be an enthusiast for all types of entertainment media (especially digital), and will be aware of, and sensitive to, the various brands in the relevant space.  The candidate will be personally interested in, and therefore avidly follow, new technological, business and brand developments and trends as well as partnership opportunities in digital space.

Specific Candidate Attributes:

• Experience of, and facility with, financial modeling, analysis and forecasting. 

• The ability to develop competitive strategies and new business ideas that make good financial and brand sense. 

• Solid experience in drafting and negotiation of term sheets as well as proven track record in leading contract negotiation and assessing proposals/RFPs, etc.

• Ability to partner with finance and senior management to contribute to the company’s long-range plan and be able to plan and analyze internal operations if necessary.

• Drive and discipline to build something from nothing: identify, develop and secure relevant partners through potentially complex negotiations while also be able to prioritize deal flow.

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with a proven track record of creating and delivering presentations to prospective and existing partners and senior management.

• Ability to develop, maintain and grow new revenues through a sensitive understanding and application of the GirlSense brand and mission.

• Ability to work as a team with other heads of department and their groups within the company, including design, editorial, technology, marketing, ad sales and finance.  Sensitivity to the operational impacts of new partners and deals.

• Willingness to travel, and to have a “shoe-leather” focus on new partner development and current partner relationship management.

• Experience in the kids, tweens, or teens market would be an advantage

• Strong time-management skills and sensitivity to deadlines as well as attention to detail, personal presentation and appropriate behavior.

• Highest levels of integrity as a person and total transparency in everyday business dealings.

 Necessary Qualifications/Skills:

• An MBA, or university BA/BS (business orientation preferred).

• Mastery of MS Office (especially Excel, Word and Powerpoint).

• Familiarity with, and experience of, quantitative research analysis, annual reports, business proposals and technical white papers.

 Compensation/Benefits Package:  Commensurate with experience, qualifications and potential, but with the potential for stock in the company.