Senior Sponsorship Sales & Partnerships Lead

Learfield; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Learfield in Lubbock, TX is seeking a strategic Senior Business Development Manager to lead a portfolio of sponsorships with Texas Tech University. You will own the full sales cycle, cultivate high-value partnerships, and drive revenue growth through new business and renewals.

The role requires 6+ years of B2B sales, strong negotiation, CRM proficiency, and the ability to work evenings and weekends for events.

Qualifications

• Typically 6+ years of outside, consultative, or B2B sales experience with demonstrated responsibility for developing new business and managing client relationships.
• Proven success managing a book of business and exceeding revenue goals.
• Ability to craft marketing strategies tailored to client needs.
• Advanced negotiating skills and ability to influence senior-level decision makers.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Meet and/or exceed revenue goals through new business development and strategic renewals.
• Own the full sales cycle, including prospecting, relationship development, proposal creation, presentations, contract negotiation, closing, and post-sale execution.
• Regularly meet with prospective and existing clients at their places of business, athletic events, or other off-site locations to cultivate relationships, present sponsorship opportunities, and secure new and expanded partnerships.
• Manage a defined book of business, including high-value accounts and key partnership renewals.
• Develop integrated sponsorship proposals across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential platforms that align with client objectives and university assets.
• Lead strategic renewal planning and identify opportunities to grow existing partnerships in collaboration with sales leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, corporate partners, and internal stakeholders, serving as a trusted representative of both Learfield and the university.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure seamless campaign execution and fulfillment, maintaining alignment with client expectations and contractual commitments.
• Serve as a mentor and resource to junior sellers while supporting local leadership in advancing overall team performance.
• Represent the property at client meetings, hospitality events, industry functions, and athletic events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Stay informed on industry trends, sponsorship best practices, brand activations, digital marketing strategies, and emerging platforms to identify new revenue opportunities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Outside sales

Consultative selling

Relationship building

CRM proficiency

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Communication

Evenings/weekends availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Learfield in Lubbock, TX is seeking a strategic Senior Business Development Manager to lead a portfolio of sponsorships with Texas Tech University. You will own the full sales cycle, cultivate high-value partnerships, and drive revenue growth through new business and renewals.

The role requires 6+ years of B2B sales, strong negotiation, CRM proficiency, and the ability to work evenings and weekends for events.