General Manager - Vanderbilt University

Learfield•Nashville, TN

About The Position

Learfield is seeking an experienced, strategic General Manager to lead a high-profile Sports Property and serve as the primary liaison to Vanderbilt University’s Athletics Department. The role stewards the university’s athletics multimedia rights agreement, manages corporate partnerships, and cultivates lasting relationships with university leadership. The General Manager is accountable for financial performance, partnership strategy, and sustaining a mutually beneficial relationship between Learfield and the university. The GM leads a high-performing local team, oversees day-to-day property operations, guides sponsorship strategy, and develops integrated marketing solutions aligned with university and Learfield objectives. The role works closely with regional leaders, corporate stakeholders, and campus decision-makers to deliver results and elevate the partnership.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in sponsorship sales, sports marketing, media rights, or a related B2B revenue-generating role.
Proven success leading high-impact teams and driving revenue growth through integrated marketing and partnership sales.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships, including executive-level university contacts and senior brand partners.
Strong command of marketing strategy across traditional, digital, and experiential channels.
Experience managing budgets, analyzing performance metrics, and making data-driven business decisions.
Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
Ability to lead through change, coach others, and inspire collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
High level of integrity, professionalism, and business judgment.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed for athletic events or client activations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly with or within collegiate athletics or higher education.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison between Learfield and Vanderbilt’s Athletics Department, Vanderbilt Enterprises, Athletic Director, and senior leadership.
Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, and internal stakeholders.
Lead the execution and optimization of the school’s multimedia rights agreement in alignment with institutional values, branding, and long-term goals.
Oversee and develop a local team that may include individual contributors and people managers.
Set strategic direction for sponsorship sales and guide the pursuit of high-value, multi-platform partnerships.
Build and manage a portfolio of regional and national corporate sponsors, supporting client satisfaction and retention.
Collaborate with university stakeholders and Learfield teams, including integrated marketing, research, digital, and legal, to develop and deliver campaigns.
Manage property-level financial planning, including annual budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis against revenue and profitability targets.
Represent the partnership at campus and community events.
Promote a high-performance, team-first culture through accountability, adaptability, and collaboration.
Identify and pursue revenue opportunities that support innovation, business expansion, and university priorities.