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