NIL Operations Director

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 62,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF opportunity

Tuition benefits

Employee wellbeing program

Job summary

The NIL Operations Director at the University of Minnesota provides essential support for daily NIL activities, including onboarding student-athletes, tracking activations and payments, and ensuring compliant data flows among athletes, the department, and external platforms.

Collaborating with campus and non-campus partners, the role develops and implements a comprehensive NIL program to empower student-athletes to maximize NIL opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business, or Communications or equivalent experience.
• General familiarity with NIL rules and social media brand management.
• Experience onboarding student-athletes and managing NIL workflows preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison for NIL activations with internal and external partners.
• Participate in NIL strategic planning to maximize athlete NIL revenue.
• Assist in onboarding student-athletes on NIL marketplaces and platforms.
• Support athlete payment inquiries and document processes.
• Coordinate logistics for NIL education sessions and staff resources.

Skills

NIL knowledge

Brand management

INFLCR

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business, or Communications

Tools

INFLCR

Job description

Job Details

• Job ID: 376054
• Location: Twin Cities
• Job Family: Athletics
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Job Code: 9343DR
• Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin

About the Job

Job Description: NIL Operations Director

Reports To: Executive Associate AD NIL/ Risk Management

Position Summary

The NIL Operations Director provides foundational support for the daily execution of Name, Image, and Likeness activities. This role focuses on the administrative duties of onboarding student‑athletes, tracking athlete activations, payments, and reporting requirements. Position will ensure that the data flow between athletes, the department, and external platforms remains accurate and compliant. Position is responsible for collaborating with multiple campus and non-campus partners to develop and implement a comprehensive NIL program which empowers all student‑athletes with the ability to maximize on their NIL opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaison Support: Act as a point of contact for Gopher Sports Properties (Learfield) and Dinkytown Athletes to help gather student‑athlete information for potential brand activations and execute on those activations. (55%)
• NIL Strategy: Participate in NIL planning strategy sessions to help to develop NIL options for athletes and general department strategy for maximizing athlete NIL revenue. (15%)
• Athlete Onboarding: Assist in the technical setup and registration of student‑athletes on University-sanctioned NIL marketplaces (e.g., INFLCR) and other relevant platforms necessary for being informed and executing NIL opportunities. (10%)
• Athlete Payment Support: Serve as the first line of inquiry for student‑athlete inquiries regarding payment status, assisting in basic troubleshooting and documentation. (5%)
• Educational Support: Coordinate logistics for team education sessions (booking space, distributing materials, tracking attendance) with L.I.N.K. staff and external educational resources. (15%)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business, or Communications or a combination of education and work experience to equal four years.
• General familiarity with NIL rules and social media brand management.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a collegiate athletics environment (can include internships or GA roles).
• 1+ Year of hands on experience in NIL operations.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $62,000 per year - $78,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.