Senior Business Development Manager - University of Georgia

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Meet and/or exceed assigned revenue goals through new business development and strategic renewals.
• Own the full sales cycle, including prospecting, relationship development, proposal creation, presentations, contract negotiation, closing, and post-sale execution.
• Regularly meet with prospective and existing clients at their places of business, athletic events, or other off-site locations to cultivate relationships, present sponsorship opportunities, and secure new and expanded partnerships.
• Manage a defined book of business, including high-value accounts and key partnership renewals.
• Develop integrated sponsorship proposals across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential platforms that align with client objectives and university assets.
• Lead strategic renewal planning and identify opportunities to grow existing partnerships in collaboration with sales leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, corporate partners, and internal stakeholders, serving as a trusted representative of both Learfield and the university.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure seamless campaign execution and fulfillment, maintaining alignment with client expectations and contractual commitments.
• Serve as a mentor and resource to junior sellers while supporting local leadership in advancing overall team performance.
• Represent the property at client meetings, hospitality events, industry functions, and athletic events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Stay informed on industry trends, sponsorship best practices, brand activations, digital marketing strategies, and emerging platforms to identify new revenue opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Typically 6+ years of successful outside, consultative, or business-to-business sales experience with demonstrated responsibility for developing new business and managing client relationships.
• Demonstrated success managing a book of business and exceeding revenue goals.
• Strong ability to build marketing strategies tailored to client needs.
• Advanced negotiating skills and ability to influence senior-level decision makers.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort navigating CRM systems and working within a performance-driven sales environment.
• Able to work evenings and weekends as needed for game days and events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selling integrated sports marketing partnerships including major media (signage, radio, social, digital, etc.).
• Knowledge of digital marketing platforms, content sponsorship, and campaign analytics.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or 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

About the Role

We’re seeking a strategic, results-oriented sales professional to join our growing sponsorship team. If you have a passion for sports and a track record of cultivating meaningful partnerships, this is your opportunity to lead high-value accounts and help drive revenue growth in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. In this role, you will manage a diverse portfolio of sponsors, oversee complex campaigns, and play a key role in both renewal strategy and new business development. You'll lead sales efforts from pitch to close, collaborate with internal and university stakeholders, and help shape our presence in the marketplace. This position is ideal for a seasoned closer who thrives on both autonomy and impact.

Skills

• Strategic thinking
• Results-oriented
• Outside sales experience
• Client relationship management
• Proposal development
• Negotiation
• Marketing strategy development
• CRM system navigation
• Industry knowledge

Qualifications

• Typically 6+ years of successful outside, consultative, or business-to-business sales experience with demonstrated responsibility for developing new business and managing client relationships.
• Demonstrated success managing a book of business and exceeding revenue goals.
• Strong ability to build marketing strategies tailored to client needs.
• Advanced negotiating skills and ability to influence senior-level decision makers.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort navigating CRM systems and working within a performance-driven sales environment.
• Able to work evenings and weekends as needed for game days and events.

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

Pay

Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Varies based on project needs and client requirements.