Manager, Business Development - University of Illinois

Our growing sponsorship business seeks an experienced, motivated sales professional to join our team located on campus. If you’re interested in combining your passion for sports with your successful track record in sales, we want to speak with you!

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meet and/or exceed assigned sales goals by developing and selling creative sponsorship packages

• Research and build relationships with local, regional, and national companies/brands to highlight the advantages of investing in collegiate athletics

• Execute the entirety of the sales process including: prospecting, building/presenting sales presentations and end-of-year recaps, creating proposals, creating/negotiating contracts, and upselling/renewing current partners.

• Manage a book of business and be responsible for the upselling and renewing of current partners

• Build and maintain lasting relationships with our corporate partners and athletic department staff

• Entertain clients and work various game day events (including some nights and weekends)

• Understand the sports sponsorship landscape including traditional, non-traditional, and digital marketing assets and stay up to date on changes and advancements within the industry

• Perform other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1 year of sales experience

• Ability to analyze a client’s marketing needs and craft integrated solutions to meet those needs

• Negotiating skills, ability to identify and influence key decision makers

• Excellent communication, organization, and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years of sales experience

• Experience selling comprehensive integrated sports marketing partnerships including major media elements (signage, radio, social, digital, etc.)

• Strong knowledge of digital marketing, including but not limited to social media, content marketing, banner ads, mobile, retargeting and websites, including interpreting performance analytics for all areas

• 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 (including Parental Leave), Paid Holidays, 401(k), and Short/Long Term Disability.

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.