Account Executive, NIL Brand Partnerships & Media Sales (Q1 2027)

Opendorse; Lincoln (NE); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Opendorse, a Lincoln-based leader in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) marketing, seeks a media and brand partnerships seller. You will pursue national brands and agencies, build a strong pipeline, and close opportunities from outreach to renewal.

You’ll educate the market on NIL value, collaborate across teams to craft campaigns, and drive growth in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. Remote options available in the US.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of quota-carrying sales experience in media, brand partnerships, sponsorships, or influencer marketing.
• Proven new business hunter with a track record of building pipelines and closing opportunities.
• Confident pitching to brand marketers, media buyers, and agency teams.
• Strong presenter and negotiator with clear communication skills.
• Creative, consultative seller who can adapt to a flexible product.
• History of meeting or exceeding sales targets; startup mindset and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Sell media and influencer solutions; pitch NIL campaigns to brands and agencies.
• Own the full sales cycle: prospect, pitch, close, and grow client relationships.
• Educate the market on NIL value and fit within a brand's media mix.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline with accountability for forecasts.
• Collaborate with marketing, data, and creative to design impactful campaigns.
• Hit and strive to exceed sales targets consistently.

Skills

Quota-carrying sales

New business development

Brand partnerships

Pitching to brands

Pipeline management

Tools

CRM software

Job description

OVERVIEW

Opendorse helps brands connect with college athletes to create high-impact media campaigns that reach the most engaged audiences in sports. We're at the center of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic segments in sports media.

We're looking for a media and brand partnerships seller who's energized by new business: finding opportunities, opening doors, and building partnerships from the ground up. You'll join a small, entrepreneurial team helping national brands and agencies break into NIL with creative, data-driven campaigns.

If you've been an AE, media seller, or brand partnerships rep and you're ready for something more exciting than your current role, this could be it.

Timing: We're building our candidate pipeline now for a role starting in Q1 2027.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Sell media & influencer solutions: Pitch custom NIL campaigns to brands and agencies that want to reach fans through the social audiences of college athletes.
• Own the full sales cycle: Prospect, pitch, close, and grow new client relationships.
• Educate the market: Deliver clear, persuasive pitches on how NIL works and the unique value athlete audiences bring to a brand's media mix.
• Build and manage pipeline: Maintain an accurate pipeline and forecast of qualified leads and target accounts, with a team behind you.
• Collaborate on campaigns: Partner with marketing, data, and creative to build smart campaigns that deliver results.
• Hit your number: Consistently meet or exceed sales targets.

WHO YOU ARE

• 3–5 years of quota-carrying sales experience, ideally in media, brand partnerships, sponsorships, or influencer/creator marketing
• Proven new business hunter: proactive, resourceful, and comfortable building your own pipeline
• Confident pitching to brand marketers, media buyers, and agency teams
• Strong presenter and negotiator with clear verbal and written communication
• Creative and consultative; you don't need a fixed product to sell
• Track record of meeting or exceeding targets
• Startup mentality: self-starting, adaptable, and excited to grow with a fast-moving team

BONUS POINTS IF YOU HAVE

• Experience selling to national brands or media/influencer agencies
• Familiarity with NIL, college athletics, creator marketing, or social media campaigns
• A brand/agency network you can tap into quickly to start conversations
• Basic marketing knowledge and a knack for campaign ideation

LOCATION

Remote (US-based) or at our headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. Some travel for client meetings and industry events.

STATE ELIGIBILITY

At this time, Opendorse can only hire full-time employees in the following states: CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY. If you live elsewhere or have questions about eligibility, feel free to reach out.

DIVERSITY AT OPENDORSE

Opendorse is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the power of diverse teams, celebrate differences, and champion inclusion. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor employment visas.