University Sponsorships Growth Manager

Learfield IMG College; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Parental Leave

Paid Holidays

401(k) + Match

Job summary

Learfield IMG College in Champaign, IL seeks a motivated Business Development Manager to grow its university sponsorship portfolio. You will own the full sales cycle—from prospecting to renewal—driving revenue through integrated sponsorship packages across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential assets.

You will manage existing client relationships while actively building new business with university partners and internal teams, delivering campaigns that align with partner goals

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.

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.

Skills

Sales experience

Relationship mgmt

Communication

CRM experience

Time management

Evenings/weekends availability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Learfield IMG College in Champaign, IL seeks a motivated Business Development Manager to grow its university sponsorship portfolio. You will own the full sales cycle—from prospecting to renewal—driving revenue through integrated sponsorship packages across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential assets.

You will manage existing client relationships while actively building new business with university partners and internal teams, delivering campaigns that align with partner goals