Commercial Partnerships Director

Learfield•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

Learfield is seeking a seasoned, highly driven business development professional to accelerate the commercialization and sale of high-value sponsorship assets across the Big Ten Conference and other Power Four properties. Assets include naming rights, jersey patches, field and court logos, and other premium inventory. This collaborative, team-based sales role emphasizes prospecting and pipeline development. The Director partners with property General Managers and internal teams to identify, develop, and secure high-value partnerships, while providing strategic guidance throughout the sales process. The role calls for strong business development instincts, a consultative approach, and a team-first mindset to create customized solutions that deliver meaningful results for major brand partners. The Director also advises university and sales teams on asset positioning, valuation, packaging, and commercialization strategies; coaches field teams on partnership development; and provides expertise on collegiate sponsorship trends and best practices. The position involves regular travel to meet university stakeholders, support field teams, and advance business development initiatives, with travel estimated at approximately 30–50%.

Requirements

Eight or more years of experience in business development, sponsorship sales, partnerships, or related roles within sports, media, or entertainment.
Demonstrated success securing high-value partnerships and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
Strong understanding of higher education institutions, particularly collegiate athletics and campus branding.
Demonstrated success collaborating across departments and with external partners.
Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Willingness to travel regularly and work flexible hours to support university schedules.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience in sports sponsorships, multimedia rights, NIL partnerships, or enterprise partnerships.
Familiarity with integrated marketing solutions, including digital, experiential, and premium sponsorship assets.
Experience with high-value sports or media inventory.

Responsibilities

Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities using data-driven prospecting tools.
Develop and sell integrated marketing solutions across Learfield assets, including naming rights and premium sponsorship inventory such as jersey patches, field logos, court logos, and emerging inventory.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with national and regional brands, negotiate and finalize business contracts, and coordinate seamless execution and fulfillment with local properties and the Partnership Management team.
Advise university and sales teams on asset positioning, valuation, packaging, and commercialization strategies to maximize revenue and long-term partner value.
Coach and support field teams throughout partnership development, sharing strategies and best practices for prospecting, negotiation, and activation.
Provide expertise on collegiate sponsorship trends, premium inventory monetization, and partnership best practices.
Identify and evaluate emerging market opportunities, sponsorship trends, and innovative inventory offerings that create value for university partners and brand clients.
Build and maintain relationships with local property teams and key internal stakeholders to support partnership growth and organizational objectives.
Represent the organization at industry conferences, campus meetings, client presentations, and other key events.
Travel regularly to meet university stakeholders, support field teams, and advance strategic business development initiatives; estimated travel is approximately 30–50%.
Work flexible hours to support university schedules.