In this role, you will support Longhorn Sports Properties with business development and influencer deal activations for brand partners. The Associate, Business Development - NIL/Influencer Marketing will be asked to achieve pre-defined KPIs centered around revenue generation for Longhorn Sports Properties (via property new business or existing partner upsells), brand partner influencer activation, and other metrics as the role and NIL evolve. This role will report to the Vice President for Longhorn Sports Properties, who leads the NIL efforts of our Learfield team embedded at the University of Texas and will work closely with the rest of the property staff. This role will also have key relationships with the Texas Athletic Department staff.
Responsibilities
Work closely with property and local brands to understand their marketing needs and develop potential marketing campaigns that can be executed with student-athletes
Serve as a subject matter expert to ideate and pitch influencer/NIL campaigns alongside sales staff. This will include opportunities for new and existing partners/non-partners as well as collaborative deals (combined NIL + MMR deals)
Work with Athletics to ensure student-athlete compliance with NIL deals is being monitored, disclosed, and reported
Support activation of NIL deals, leveraging the Compass platform where applicable, and ensuring student-athletes participate and fulfill activation obligations with brand partners at fair market value
Stay informed on NIL news, including student-athlete deals across the country, legislation changes (at State and National levels), and ongoing trends. You will also participate in the Learfield corporate working group to share best practices and successful sales concepts across the country
Support Vice President to protect and monetize school partner IP value and monitor student-athlete NIL IP usage
Oversee and support the activation of these campaigns in collaboration with appropriate parties.
Coordinate and liaise between Texas Athletics, and appropriate parties.
Represent Longhorn Sports Properties, with existing brand partners and Texas Athletics staff to align resources and priorities
Collaborate with other stakeholder groups across Learfield and Texas Athletics to ensure success
Complete other sales, fulfillment and operations responsibilities as assigned by Vice President
Assist with Longhorn Sports Properties, gameday operations, including home football games and other home events
As NIL is a fluid and evolving topic, the responsibilities for this role and the work expectations in coordination with Texas Athletics will continue to be defined over time
Qualifications
A minimum of 2+ years of client-facing and/or business development focused work
Ability to maintain a flexible, and at times intensive, work schedule based on the rigor of this role
Experience in Sports / NIL / Influencer Marketing / College Athletics and/or sponsorship is a plus, but not required
Ability to take end-to-end responsibility of sales cycle from pitch development to sponsor activation
Must possess a high level of professionalism and discretion due to access to sensitive student-athlete NIL compensation information
Ability to establish a deep understanding of client’s objectives and goals, and the ability to problem solve as needed
Experience working with brand image and promoting value through client activation
Ability to operate effectively and autonomously across multiple projects in situations of ambiguity, with only high-level direction
Strong commitment to building a learning culture
Proven track record of developing and maintaining strong, lasting relationships with partners
Manage time effectively and oversee multiple tasks simultaneously
Effective communication (both verbal and written), organization, presentation, and listening skills
Ability to influence and motivate others through leading by example
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.