Director, Business Development NIL - University of Colorado

Job Summary

Buffalo Sports Properties 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 University of Colorado. This position will be an integral part of executing student-athlete influencer marketing for the University of Colorado.

In this role, you will support Buffalo Sports Properties with business development and NIL deal activation for brand partners – being the subject matter expert when ideating and pitching NIL campaigns. The Director, NIL Business Development will be asked to achieve pre-defined KPIs centered around revenue generation for Buffalo Sports Properties. Additionally, this role will be managing 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 Buffalo Sports Properties, who leads the NIL efforts of our Learfield team embedded at Colorado, working closely other property staff and key relationships with University of Colorado Athletics Department staff.

Responsibilities

• Take on the responsibility of all things involving student-athlete influencer marketing for Buffalo Sports Properties , sponsors, brands, and internal corporate groups – sharing best practices and successful sales concepts
• Work closely with property and local brands to understand their marketing needs and implement an NIL revenue generation growth plan that maximizes commercial opportunities for student-athletes
• Stay informed on NIL news, including student-athlete deals across the country and legislation changes at State and National levels, and ongoing trends
• Coordinate, liaise and maintain relationships between Colorado, student-athletes, Buffalo Sports Properties, brands, collectives and other stakeholders
• Manage special events as identified by University of Colorado Athletics and Buffalo Sports Properties in support of We Will initiatives.  Events will be determined jointly between all parties.
• Help support Buffalo Sports Properties sales staff involved in student-athlete campaigns, with an emphasis on idea generation and assistance with presentations as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with student-athletes and brand partners, ensuring NIL campaign success
• Support Vice President/General Manager to protect school partner IP value and monitor student-athlete NIL IP usage
• Assist as needed on gameday with Buffalo Sports Properties, and University of Colorado Athletics for events which may include NIL involvement, cultivation of prospects or hosting hospitality events
• As NIL is a fluid and evolving topic, the responsibilities for this role and the work expectations in coordination with the University of Colorado will continue to be defined over time

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of client-facing and/or business development
• Advanced negotiating skills, and the ability to identify and influence key decision makers
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organization, presentation, problem solving and listening skills
• High level of discretion due to access to sensitive student-athlete NIL compensation information
• Ability to understand brand and client’s goals and objectives to better drive value through student-athlete influencer marketing, etc.
• Ability to operate effectively and autonomously across multiple projects in situations of ambiguity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Collegiate or Professional Sports, NIL, talent negotiations, higher-education and sponsorships
• Familiarity with startup environment and comfortability being a forward thinker to lend ideas and improve processes
• Strong commitment to building a learning culture
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university  

Please apply by 6/22/25 for consideration

Pay Transparency

The approximate base pay range for this position is $130,000.00 to $170,000.00. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Individuals may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and/or sales compensation. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience as well as geographic location.

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.