As exclusive multimedia rights holder for the University, our team manages all aspects of the rights relationship. Providing corporate partners with traditional, digital and other non-traditional media opportunities to bolster their own brand and garner maximum exposure through inventory such as venue signage; digital engagement including social media, the official athletics website, content, digital gaming and retargeting, event sponsorships and promotion; corporate hospitality; television and radio game broadcasts and coaches’ shows.
Beaver Sports Properties is looking to add a high impact team member who will focus on navigating the property through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). With the NCAA policy change in July 2021, student-athletes across the country, for the first time ever, can receive payments for NIL. This has provided a new opportunity for brand partners to access influencer marketing with student-athletes in their sponsorship package (i.e. appearances, social media, etc.).
In this role, you will support Beaver Sports Properties with business development and NIL deal activation for brand partners. The NIL Business Manager will be asked to achieve pre-defined KPIs centered around revenue generation for Beaver Sports Properties (via property new business or existing partner upsells), brand partner NIL activation, and other metrics as the role and NIL evolve. This role will report to the General Manager for Beaver Sports Properties, who leads the NIL efforts of our Learfield team embedded at Oregon State University and will work closely with the rest of the property staff. This role will also have key relationships with Oregon State University Athletic Department staff.
Responsibilities
Manage and facilitate deal sourcing with current and new partners for student-athlete NIL agreements. This will include opportunities for new and existing partners as well as collaborative agreements (combined NIL + MMR agreements) with Beaver Sports Properties.
Increase team and individual student-athlete NIL opportunities by working closely with local and regional brands to understand their marketing needs and align them with opportunities for student-athletes.
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.
Support activation of NIL deals and ensuring student-athletes participate and fulfill activation obligations with brand partners.
Manage sponsorship relationship with the Dam Nation Collective, and any future third-party NIL entities, including their sponsorship activation with Beaver Sports Properties, collective partner events, as well as their sponsorship conversations with student-athletes.
Serve as a subject matter expert to ideate and pitch NIL campaigns alongside sales staff. This will include opportunities for new and existing partners as well as collaborative deals (combined NIL + MMR deals).
Work with Oregon State Athletics to ensure student-athlete compliance with NIL deals is being monitored, disclosed, and reported.
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 NIL working group to share best practices and successful sales concepts across the Learfield portfolio.
Support General Manager to protect school partner IP value and monitor student-athlete NIL IP usage.
Coordinate and liaise between Oregon State Athletics, student-athletes, Beaver Sports Properties, brands, and third party NIL entities.
Represent Beaver Sports Properties, with existing brand partners and Oregon State Athletics staff to align resources and priorities.
Serve as a liaison with the Oregon State Athletics' NIL Core Group and collaborate with other stakeholder groups across Learfield and Oregon State Athletics to ensure success.
Complete other sales, fulfillment and operations responsibilities as assigned by GM.
Assist with Beaver 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 Oregon State 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 / 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
High level of integrity and accountability to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, guidelines, and best practices
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.