Business Development Manager - Learfield College Rodeo

We’re seeking a motivated and relationship-driven sales professional to join our growing sponsorship team. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are excited to contribute to revenue growth through both renewals and new business, this could be the next step in your career. In this role, you’ll manage existing client relationships and drive growth by actively building a new business pipeline across multiple rodeo properties. You’ll be responsible for the execution of partner agreements, from prospecting through renewal, and will collaborate with both internal teams, university stakeholders, and college rodeo teams and coaches to deliver impactful campaigns that align with partner goals.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Meet and/or exceed assigned revenue goals by developing and selling integrated sponsorship packages
Manage a defined book of business, including full sales cycle ownership for renewals and new business deals
Build, present, and negotiate proposals across digital, social, broadcast, in-venue, and experiential platforms
Develop relationships with local, regional, and national partners to highlight the value of collegiate rodeo sponsorships
Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, college rodeo team coaches, athletes, and staff, corporate sponsors and internal stakeholders—serving as a trusted and respected representative of both LEARFIELD and each rodeo team
Collaborate with internal teams to execute partner deliverables in alignment with contract terms and brand standards
Maintain accurate records of sales activity and pipeline progress in CRM systems
Support the development of year-end recaps and participate in renewal planning discussions
Attend, travel, and contribute to college rodeo operations and client hospitality events, including occasional nights and weekends
Stay informed on industry trends and best practices, brand activations, digital marketing tools, and emerging sponsorship platforms
Assist in rodeo operations including sponsorship activation, VIP & hospitality, run of show creation, and streaming coordination
Manage and track marketing inventory for national and regional rodeo partners across multiple properties
Work with rodeo teams and property staff to provide POP (Proof of Performances) for in-venue sponsorship elements
Serve as a liaison between corporate partners and college rodeo teams and staff
Perform other related duties as required
Minimum Qualifications:

4+ years of sales experience with a focus on building and maintaining client relationships
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet/exceed sales goals
Strong communication and presentation skills with a customer-first approach
Comfort navigating CRM systems and working within a performance-driven sales environment
Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed for college rodeos and events throughout the country
Familiarity with college rodeo and the Western industry
Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in sports sponsorship, rodeo sponsorship, or media sales (radio, signage, social, digital, etc.)
Experience working or competing in the rodeo industry
Familiarity with marketing solutions that include digital and experiential assets
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)
Parental Leave
20 Paid Holidays
401(k) + Match
Short/Long Term Disability
Leave benefits are consistent with state and local laws, including the Colorado Health Families and Workplaces Act.
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.
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

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