General Manager

Position Summary:

LEARFIELD is seeking a driven and collaborative General Manager (GM) to lead our Sports Properties and serve as the primary Learfield liaison to the university’s Athletics Department. This position plays a vital role in overseeing the school’s athletics multimedia rights agreement and managing the corporate partner platform, while cultivating strong, trusted relationships across campus. The GM is responsible for delivering results, supporting the local team, and contributing to a long-term, successful partnership between Learfield and the university. 

In this role, you will oversee day-to-day property operations and support sales efforts by working closely with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll manage and mentor a small team, collaborate with university leadership, and help implement marketing and sponsorship strategies that align with both Learfield and the university’s goals. This position is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in sponsorship sales, operations, and partner management who is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison between Learfield and the university’s Athletics Department, Athletic Director, and key staff. 

• Manage the execution of the multimedia rights agreement and ensure it reflects the university’s mission, values, and branding standards. 

• Lead the property team, which may include sales and/or activation staff, by providing clear direction, coaching, and performance support. 

• Achieve individual and team revenue goals by selling integrated sponsorship packages using traditional, digital, social, and experiential platforms. 

• Develop strong relationships with university contacts, sponsors, and other stakeholders to drive value and engagement. 

• Collaborate with regional and corporate support teams (e.g., research, marketing, digital, legal) to ensure seamless operations and client satisfaction. 

• Develop and manage annual budgets, business plans, and forecasts that ensure property-level accountability and financial performance. 

• Represent Learfield in key meetings, campus initiatives, and local events to promote partnership visibility and university engagement. 

• Model and foster a positive, inclusive, and team-first culture across the property and broader organization. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, and internal stakeholders—serving as a trusted and respected representative of both LEARFIELD and the university. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience in sponsorship sales, sports marketing, or related B2B role, with measurable success. 

• Some prior experience managing others and a desire to grow as a team leader. 

• Solid understanding of sponsorship strategy, marketing channels (traditional and digital), and activation. 

• Effective communicator with strong relationship-building and presentation skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple teams and work effectively with external partners. 

• Strong organizational skills with an ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving environment. 

• High integrity, sound judgment, and a team-first mindset. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in or around collegiate athletics or higher education. 

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university. 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand at a desk for majority of day.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard and mouse.
• Ability to talk, hear and communicate clearly in person and via phone/video conferencing.

The duties and responsibilities described in the Job Description are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business needs. In addition, employment in this position with the Company is on an at-will basis.

An employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and that, if requested, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

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.

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.