Director, Business Development - University of Southern California
About The Position
Learfield is seeking a strategic and results-driven sales leader to join our growing sponsorship team. If you have a passion for sports, proven success in team leadership, and a track record of driving revenue through integrated partnerships, this is your opportunity to lead a high-performing sales team in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. In this role, you’ll oversee the sales strategy and performance of the property, managing a team of sellers and driving revenue growth through new business and renewals. You’ll lead the development of integrated sponsorship solutions, foster alignment with university stakeholders, and play a critical role in shaping the property's presence in the local and national marketplace.
Requirements
- 10+ years of successful sales experience, with at least 3+ years in a leadership capacity
- Demonstrated success driving revenue growth and managing high-performing sales teams
- Ability to craft integrated marketing strategies that align with client and university objectives
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with experience influencing executive-level decision makers
- Proven track record of setting and achieving sales targets in a competitive, performance-driven environment
- Excellent communication, organization, and presentation skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM platforms
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed to support athletic events or client activations
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
- Experience selling comprehensive sports marketing partnerships including major media (signage, radio, social, digital, etc.)
- Familiarity with collegiate athletics and working with university stakeholders
- Knowledge of digital marketing trends and performance analytics
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of sellers responsible for achieving individual and team revenue goals
- Drive new business and strategic renewals by developing creative, integrated sponsorship opportunities across digital, social, in-venue, broadcast, and experiential platforms
- Set annual revenue targets, track progress, and manage performance across a diverse team
- Develop and deliver high-quality proposals and presentations to local, regional, and national brands
- 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
- Partner with property leadership to create and manage inventory strategy and pricing
- Recruit, coach, and develop sales talent to elevate performance and support long-term team growth
- Identify emerging trends in sports marketing and bring forward new ideas to maximize impact
- Represent the property in high-visibility meetings, hospitality events, and game day activations (including nights and weekends as needed)
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation across the team
- 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
Benefits
- 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
- Short/Long Term Disability
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
