NIL Business Manager - University of Tennessee at Learfield IMG College in Knoxville, Tennessee

Job Description:

Position Title: NIL Business Manager - University of Tennessee

Requisition ID: R100375

Location: Knoxville, TN

Full/Part-Time: Full time

About Us:

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With data-based solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

Our people-first culture is the foundation of our business and is reflective of our approach to building meaningful relationships with our employees, partners, and fans. The company strives each day to deliver the mission statement and embody the core values that make Learfield an exciting place to work.

Our Mission

Powering the connection of fans to the brands and experiences they love.

Our Core Values

Build Trust | Be Fans of One Another | Power Tomorrow | Create & Connect Communities | Have Fun

The Vol Network is looking to add a high-impact team member who will focus on navigating the property through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on behalf of the University of Tennessee. With the pending House Settlement, university partners are looking for more revenue opportunities with the support of Learfield, their multi-media rights partner. Learfield has grown in the NIL space, adding over 15 individuals since 2021. This position will be an integral part of executing student-athlete influencer marketing for the University of Tennessee.

In this role, you will support The Vol Network with business development and NIL deal activation for brand partners – being the subject matter expert when ideating and pitching NIL campaigns. The NIL Business Manager will be asked to achieve pre-defined KPIs centered around revenue generation for The Vol Network. Additionally, this role will manage a book of business via prospecting or existing partner upsells, brand partner NIL activation, and other metrics as the role and NIL evolve. This role will report to the Vice President & General Manager for The Vol Network, who leads the NIL efforts of our Learfield team embedded at the University of Tennessee, working closely with other property staff. This role will also have key relationships with the University of Tennessee Athletic Department staff.

Responsibilities

• Take on the responsibility of all things involving student-athlete influencer marketing for The Vol Network, sponsors, brands and internal corporate groups
• Work closely with property and local brands to understand their marketing needs and develop potential marketing campaigns that can be executed with student-athletes
• Assume end-to-end responsibility of sales cycle from pitch development to sponsor activation
• Coordinate, liaise and maintain relationships between the University of Tennessee, student-athletes, The Vol Network, brands, collectives and other stakeholders
• Support activation of NIL deals and ensure student-athletes participate and fulfill activation obligations with brand partners at fair market value
• Oversee all inventory management tracking related to NIL deals, including what has been proposed, sold and remains available, to include weekly reports and internal meeting updates
• Stay informed on NIL news, including student-athlete deals across the country and legislation changes at State and National levels, and ongoing trends
• Assist with The Vol Network, gameday operations, including home football games and other home events
• Must be able to work 40 hours per week including home games, select sporting events, and NIL appearances and activations that occur outside of traditional work hours
• As NIL is a fluid and evolving topic, the responsibilities for this role and the work expectations in coordination with the University of Tennessee will continue to be defined over time

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2+ years of client-facing and/or business development focused work
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining strong, lasting relationships with partners and decision makers
• Excellent communication, problem solving, organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Sports / NIL / College Athletics and/or sponsorship
• High level of initiative, specifically in the areas of sales generation and process improvement
• Strong commitment to building a learning culture
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university

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.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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