Membership Sales Manager | Full-Time | University of Kansas Athletics

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Membership Sales Manager is responsible for driving membership growth through strategic sales execution, marketing activation, and partnership development. This role serves as a key ambassador of the Club within the Lawrence and Kansas City communities and works closely with KU Athletics to strengthen the Club’s presence, visibility, and value proposition to donors, alumni, corporate partners, and fans. The Manager is charged with generating new membership revenue by building meaningful community relationships, creating referral pipelines, leveraging KU Athletics engagement opportunities, and ensuring the Club is positioned as the premier year-round destination for connection, dining, and elevated experiences.

Success in this role is measured by the ability to consistently exceed membership sales targets while supporting retention initiatives and maintaining strong brand alignment with KU Athletics.

 

Primary Objectives

The Manager will achieve membership growth goals through a balance of proactive sales strategy, community partnership development, targeted marketing efforts, and relationship-based outreach.

Key performance goals include:

• Dues Added
• Initiation Fee Revenue
• Net Member Growth
• Member Retention
• Net Dues Revenue
• Management of Membership Contra & Sales Expenses
• Execution and Attendance of New Member Orientation / Onboarding
• Member Engagement & Community Integration

This role pays an annual salary of $60,000-$80,000 and is bonus eligible

 

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

 

This position will remain open until May 22, 2026.

About the Venue

At the University. For the City.

We are not just Jayhawk fans around here—we are fans of the city of Lawrence, and together with our members, we're doing big things to connect with and uplift the local community we call home. Opening in 2026, the Naismith Club at the University of Kansas will bring the best and brightest of university alumni and Lawrence community leaders together to connect. The Naismith Club will be a members-only social club offering year-round access to dining, meetings, and curated experiences inside one of the most iconic venues in college sports. This is not a game-day club. It is a place to gather, work, host, and connect — all year long.

Responsibilities

Sales & Membership Growth

• Drive new membership acquisition through proactive prospecting, strategic outreach, and relationship-driven sales execution.

• Build and maintain a consistent pipeline of qualified leads through networking, referrals, and KU Athletics engagement.

• Conduct membership tours, follow-ups, presentations, and proposal delivery with a polished, high-touch approach.

• Develop and execute targeted outreach strategies to key segments including alumni, donors, business leaders, young professionals, and campus leadership.

Marketing & Brand Activation

• Partner with the marketing team to execute membership campaigns, social media lead generation efforts, and local awareness initiatives.

• Support the development of compelling membership collateral, digital marketing content, and community-facing messaging.

• Represent the Club at high-visibility KU Athletics events and community functions to build brand awareness and generate leads.

Community Partnerships & KU Athletics Alignment

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with local businesses, alumni groups, corporate networks, university stakeholders, and community organizations to drive membership referrals and increase visibility.

• Serve as a key relationship manager for KU Athletics stakeholders to ensure strong collaboration, alignment, and shared activation opportunities.

• Identify and execute partnership opportunities that enhance member value while expanding the Club’s reach in the community.

• Create referral pipelines through KU Athletics, donor networks, and community partners.