Business Development Manager - University of South Dakota

LEARFIELD; Vermillion (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) + Match

Paid time off

Job summary

LEARFIELD in Vermillion, SD seeks a motivated sponsorship sales professional to grow revenue through renewals and new business while managing client relationships and delivering impactful campaigns for university and sponsor partners.

You will own the full sales cycle, collaborate with internal teams, and contribute to game-day events and client hospitality. A Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years in sales are preferred.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of sales experience with a focus on building and maintaining client relationships.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Meet and exceed revenue goals by selling integrated sponsorship packages.
• Own full sales cycle for renewals and new business deals.
• Present and negotiate proposals across multiple platforms (digital, social, broadcast, in-venue).
• Develop relationships with sponsors and university partners to demonstrate value of sponsorships.
• Collaborate with internal teams to execute partner deliverables and maintain CRM records.
• Support year-end recaps and renewal planning; assist with game-day events as needed.

Skills

Relationship building

Sales planning

Communication

Presentation skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM software

Job description

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

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.