Business Development Manager - University of Illinois

LEARFIELD; Champaign (IL); Sur place; USD 60 000 - 75 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) + Match

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Résumé du poste

LEARFIELD is seeking a motivated sponsorship sales professional to drive revenue growth through renewals and new business with collegiate partners. You will manage a defined book of business, close integrated sponsorship packages, and collaborate with university stakeholders to deliver campaigns that align with partner goals.

You will present proposals across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential platforms, while maintaining strong relationships with sponsors and internal teams.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of sales experience with a focus on client relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet/exceed sales goals.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with a customer-first approach.
• Experience navigating CRM systems in a performance-driven environment.
• Availability for evenings and weekends for game days/events.

Responsabilités

• Meet and exceed revenue goals by selling integrated sponsorship packages.
• Own full sales cycle for renewals and new business.
• Build, present, and negotiate proposals across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, experiential.
• Develop relationships with local, regional and national partners.
• Collaborate with internal teams and university stakeholders on campaigns.
• Maintain CRM records and track pipeline progress.
• Support year-end recaps and renewal planning discussions.
• Attend game day operations and client hospitality events as needed.
• Stay informed on industry trends and sponsorship platforms.

Connaissances

Client relationships

Sales strategy

Communication

CRM familiarity

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Outils

CRM systems

Description du poste

We're seeking a motivated and relationship-driven sales professional to join our growing sponsorship team. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are excited to contribute to revenue growth through both renewals and new business, this could be the next step in your career.

In this role, you'll manage existing client relationships and drive growth by actively building a new business pipeline. You'll be responsible for the execution of partner agreements, from prospecting through renewal, and will collaborate with both internal teams and university stakeholders to deliver impactful campaigns that align with partner goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Meet and/or exceed assigned revenue goals by developing and selling integrated sponsorship packages
• Manage a defined book of business, including full sales cycle ownership for renewals and new business deals
• Build, present, and negotiate proposals across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential platforms
• Develop relationships with local, regional, and national partners to highlight the value of collegiate sponsorships
• Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, corporate sponsors and internal stakeholders- serving as a trusted and respected representative of both LEARFIELD and the university.
• Collaborate with internal teams to execute partner deliverables in alignment with contract terms and brand standards
• Maintain accurate records of sales activity and pipeline progress in CRM systems
• Support the development of year-end recaps and participate in renewal planning discussions
• Attend and contribute to game day operations and client hospitality events, including occasional nights and weekends
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices, brand activations, digital marketing tools, and emerging sponsorship platforms
• Perform other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4+ years of sales experience with a focus on building and maintaining client relationships
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet/exceed sales goals
• Strong communication and presentation skills with a customer-first approach
• Comfort navigating CRM systems and working within a performance-driven sales environment
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for game days and events

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in sports sponsorship or media sales (radio, signage, social, digital, etc.)
• Familiarity with marketing solutions that include digital and experiential assets
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university

Pay Transparency:

The approximate national base pay range for this position is $60,000 to $75,000. Please note that this is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Individuals may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and/or sales compensation based on individual and company performance. Placement on the range may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and geographic location. The pay rate will comply with all minimum federal, state, and local wage/salary requirements.

Learfield offers a full spectrum of benefits for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance and Other Insurance Plans, Flexible Paid Time Off (minimum 10+ days annually), including Parental Leave, 20 Paid Holidays, 401(k) + Match, and Short/Long Term Disability. Leave benefits are consistent with state and local laws, including the Colorado Health Families and Workplaces Act.

Learfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.