Associate Business Development Manager - University of California, Davis

We’re seeking a motivated sales professional to join our growing sponsorship business. This hybrid role blends sales and activation responsibilities and is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and is eager to make an impact in collegiate athletics sponsorship. If you’re ready to contribute to a high-performing team and grow your career in sports marketing, we’d love to connect with you.

In this role, you’ll support both revenue generation and partnership execution. You’ll contribute to outreach strategies, assist with activations and account support, and help deliver an outstanding partner and fan experience. This includes asset fulfillment, reporting, and operational support. The role offers broad exposure to the sponsorship process and the opportunity to build strong relationships across partners and campus stakeholders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to revenue generation by developing and selling creative sponsorship packages that meet and exceed assigned sales goals.
• Manage a personal book of business while supporting broader sales efforts through pipeline development, prospect research, and client outreach.
• Execute the full sales process: from prospecting and proposal development to closing deals and managing renewals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with activation, marketing, and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of partner campaigns.
• Assist with fulfillment of all partnership elements including signage, radio, digital, social media, and in-venue promotions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national clients as well as university partners, athletic department staff, and internal stakeholders—serving as a trusted representative of both Learfield and the university.
• Represent the property at key events, game days, and hospitality functions, ensuring an outstanding client experience.
• Support in the creation of end-of-season recaps and other deliverables that demonstrate partnership value.
• Assist in managing property social media accounts and proof-of-performance efforts.
• Provide general support to the General Manager and property team, including expense processing, invoicing, and other budgetary needs.
• 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
• Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, and internal stakeholders—serving as a trusted and respected representative of both Learfield and the university.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in sales, marketing, sponsorship, client service, or a related field
• Strong communication, organization, and presentation skills
• Ability to understand client needs and build integrated marketing solutions
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for game days and events
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or executing sports sponsorships, including digital, social, signage, and experiential elements
• Familiarity with CRM tools and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university
  
  

The approximate national base pay range for this position is $21.19 to $21.63 per hour. 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.