Business Development Manager - University of Illinois

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.

About Learfield

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With data-based solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

Our people-first culture is the foundation of our business and is reflective of our approach to building meaningful relationships with our employees, partners, and fans. The company strives each day to deliver the mission statement and embody the core values that make Learfield an exciting place to work.

Our Mission

Powering the connection of fans to the brands and experiences they love.

Our Core Values

Build Trust | Be Fans of One Another | Power Tomorrow | Create & Connect Communities | Have Fun

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

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