Director, NIL Business Development - Iowa State University

Our growing sponsorship business seeks an accomplished Director of Business Development to join our team located on campus. Our ideal candidate will be a strong business leader who can drive both financial and operational results. If you’re interested in combining your passion for sports with a successful track record in sales execution and leadership, we want to speak with you!

Responsibilities

• Take on the responsibility of all things involving student-athlete influencer marketing for Cyclone Sports Properties, sponsors, brands, and internal corporate groups – sharing best practices and successful sales concepts
• Work closely with property and local brands to understand their marketing needs and implement an NIL revenue generation growth plan that maximizes commercial opportunities for student-athletes
• Stay informed on NIL news, including student-athlete deals across the country and legislation changes at State and National levels, and ongoing trends
• Coordinate, liaise and maintain relationships between Iowa State, student-athletes, Cyclone Sports Properties, brands, collectives and other stakeholders
• Manage the Annual Giving process and work with the Iowa State Foundation and Cyclone Club to lead and facilitate gifts for the We Will fund.
• Manage special events as identified by Iowa State Athletics and Cyclone Sports Properties in support of We Will initiatives. Events will be determined jointly between all parties.
• Help support Cyclone Sports Properties sales staff involved in student-athlete campaigns, with an emphasis on idea generation and assistance with presentations as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with student-athletes and brand partners, ensuring NIL campaign success
• Support Vice President/General Manager to protect school partner IP value and monitor student-athlete NIL IP usage
• Assist as needed on gameday Cyclone Sports Properties, Iowa State Athletics for gameday events which may include NIL involvement, cultivation of prospects or hosting hospitality events.
• As NIL is a fluid and evolving topic, the responsibilities for this role and the work expectations in coordination with Iowa State University will continue to be defined over time
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of client-facing and/or business development experience
• Advanced negotiating skills, and the ability to identify and influence key decision makers
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organization, presentation, problem solving and listening skills
• High level of discretion due to access to sensitive student-athlete NIL compensation information
• Ability to understand brand and client’s goals and objectives to better drive value through student-athlete influencer marketing, etc.
• Ability to operate effectively and autonomously across multiple projects in situations of ambiguity
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Collegiate or Professional Sports, NIL, talent negotiations, higher-education and sponsorships
• Familiarity with startup environment and comfortability being a forward thinker to lend ideas and improve processes
• Strong commitment to building a learning culture
• Bachelor’s degree from a 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.