Senior Manager, NIL Partnership Strategy - University of Missouri - Military veterans preferred

Position Title: Senior Manager, NIL Partnership Strategy - University of Missouri

Requisition ID: R100673

Location: Columbia, MO

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

Mizzou Sports Properties is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Manager of NIL Partnership Strategy to lead the NIL execution and management of corporate sponsorships across a broader portfolio at one of our university properties. In this role, you'll oversee NIL activation, drive cross-functional coordination, and serve as a key liaison between Learfield and university stakeholders. You’ll play a hands-on role in delivering meaningful outcomes for partners, while also shaping the strategy, tools, and team culture that support long-term success.

This position manages NIL partnerships across multiple tiers of value and complexity, ensuring flawless fulfillment across digital, social, in-venue, broadcast, and experiential channels. As a senior member of the property team, you’ll provide leadership to direct reports, contribute to renewal and upsell strategy, and play a critical role in aligning Learfield’s execution with university goals. This is an ideal opportunity for a thoughtful, people-first leader who thrives in a fast-paced, client-focused environment and enjoys elevating others.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning, activation, and fulfillment of NIL campaigns involving student-athlete talent across integrated brand partnerships.
• Collaborate with the sales team to ensure student-athlete content, messaging, and experiences are seamlessly integrated with broader sponsorship objectives.
• Serve as the NIL execution lead, overseeing athlete coordination, content timelines, deliverables, and campaign approvals in alignment with university compliance and Learfield guidelines.
• Manage and coach a team of NIL activation professionals (coordinators, interns), providing feedback, mentorship, and performance support.
• Track and report on NIL performance, including content reach, engagement, and partner KPIs, and incorporate results into partnership recaps and renewal strategies.
• Support strategic planning and renewal discussions for key accounts in collaboration with sales leadership.
• Identify process improvement and support the growth of NIL programming by developing scalable activation models, toolkits, and storytelling frameworks that highlight student-athlete impact.
• Represent Learfield in high-visibility partner meetings, university engagements, and game day operations.
• Ensure all execution aligns with contractual terms, university brand standards, and Learfield policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in sponsorship activation, client services, or brand marketing—preferably in NIL, sports, entertainment, or agency settings.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing direct reports in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills and the ability to manage complex partner portfolios.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence both internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of partnership fulfillment across digital, social, in-venue, and experiential channels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management/CRM tools.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed for game days, client events, and university engagements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, sports management, or related field.
• Experience managing client relationships across multiple sponsorship tiers.
• Familiarity with the multimedia rights landscape in collegiate athletics.

Learfield offers a full spectrum of benefits for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, Heath Savings Account, Life Insurance and Other Insurance Plans, Flexible Paid Time Off (minimum 10+ days annually), including Parental Leave, 20 Paid Holidays, 401(k), and Short/Long Term Disability. Leave benefits are consistent with state and local laws, including the Colorado Healthy 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.

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