Tar Heel 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 a team of NIL activation professionals, 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, managers, 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.
- Understanding digital and social media best practices within NIL and influencer marketing.
- Experience developing or supporting content strategies for social media, with a clear sense of what drives engagement across different platforms.
- Familiarity with creative production elements such as graphic design, motion graphics, photography, and social storytelling.
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 (minimum 10+ days annually), including Parental Leave, 20 Paid Holidays, 401(k) + Match, and Short/Long Term Disability. Leave benefits are consistent with state and local laws, including the Colorado Health Families and Workplaces Act.
