Business Development Manager jobs in Columbus, MS

MSU Bulldog Sports Properties is LEARFIELD’s local, dedicated entity representing Mississippi State University. In complete collaboration with the University, this team is committed to extending the affinity of the University’s brand to businesses and corporations of all sizes looking to align with the undeniably loyal and passionate collegiate sports fan base.

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.

Our growing sponsorship business seeks an experienced, motivated sales professional to join our team located on campus in Starkville, MS. If you’re interested in combining your passion for sports with your successful track record in sales, we want to speak with you!

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meet and/or exceed assigned sales goals by developing and selling creative sponsorship packages
• Research and build relationships with local, regional, and national companies/brands to highlight the advantages of investing in collegiate athletics
• Execute the entirety of the sales process: prospecting, building/presenting sales presentations and end-of-year recaps, creating proposals, creating/negotiating contracts, upselling/renewing current partners, etc
• Manage a book of business and be responsible for the upselling and renewing of current partners
• Build and maintain lasting relationships with our corporate partners and athletic department staff
• Entertain clients and work various game day events (including some nights and weekends)
• Understand the sports sponsorship landscape including traditional, non-traditional, and digital marketing assets and stay up to date on changes and advancements within the industry
• Perform other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1 year of sales experience
• Ability to analyze a client’s marketing needs and craft integrated solutions to meet those needs
• Negotiating skills, ability to identify and influence key decision makers
• Excellent communication, organization, and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience selling comprehensive integrated sports marketing partnerships including major media elements (signage, radio, social, digital, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of digital marketing, including but not limited to social media, content marketing, banner ads, mobile, retargeting and websites, including interpreting performance analytics for all areas
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university