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.