Associate, Business Development - Virginia Commonwealth University

Our growing sponsorship business seeks an experienced, motivated professional to join our local team located on campus. This opportunity is a hybrid role focusing on sales and activation. We are looking for an experienced and well-organized candidate to generate new business by implementing integrated marketing partnerships for the university athletic program in addition to supporting with game day needs to execute partnership elements to ensure an enjoyable experience for partners and fans. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment and have prior sales support experience, we want to meet 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: prospecting, building/presenting sales presentations and end-of-year recaps, creating proposals, creating/negotiating contracts, upselling/renewing current partners, etc

• 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

• Assist property staff with all fulfillment needs for signage, radio, print, digital and events

• Assist the General Manager with expense reporting, invoicing, and other budgetary needs

• Assist with corporate hospitality, tickets, in-game promotions and other activities

• Work with game day Property Assistants to provide POP (Proof of Performances) for in-venue sponsorship elements

• Manage property social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and/or X)

• Perform other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1+ year of sales experience

• 1+ year of partnership activation or client management 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:

• 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.