NIL Partnership Solutions Manager

NIL Partnership Solutions Manager

Buffalo Sports Properties is seeking a proactive, relationship-driven NIL Partnership Solutions Manager to lead the day-to-day activation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships on campus. This role connects brands with student-athletes through impactful campaigns while supporting traditional sponsorship activations.

In this role, you'll serve as the lead activation contact for NIL partners, coordinating integrated marketing campaigns across digital, social, in-venue, and broadcast platforms. You'll also lead collaborations with sales and university NIL teams to develop creative NIL concepts, craft compelling partner proposals, and translate brand objectives into impactful student-athlete activations. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes initiative to solve problems, and excels at communication, creativity, and strategic execution. You'll also support partner renewals and mentor junior staff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the activation of NIL campaigns for a portfolio of partners, managing all aspects of campaign execution, compliance, and fulfillment.
• Serve as the primary liaison between brand partners, student-athletes, and university stakeholders.
• Manage all NIL logistics including athlete coordination, content approvals, deliverable tracking, and payment processing to ensure flawless and timely execution of NIL and sponsorship activations.
• Collaborate with creative, digital, events, and university compliance teams to ensure NIL campaigns are engaging, compliant, and strategically aligned.
• Lead NIL recaps, performance reporting, and renewal discussions; contribute to strategic planning for NIL and sponsorship accounts.
• Mentor coordinators and game day staff on NIL campaign execution and industry best practices.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and support adoption of NIL-specific tools, platforms, and workflows.
• Represent the property at brand partner meetings, student-athlete sessions, and university events.
• Ensure all NIL and sponsorship activity aligns with Learfield's brand, contractual obligations, NCAA/state NIL legislation, and university standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience in sponsorship activation, NIL partnerships, influencer marketing, account management, or event marketingpreferably in sports or entertainment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex NIL and sponsorship projects independently.
• Strong communication, organization, and project management skills across different stakeholder groups.
• Proven success in executing athlete-driven or influencer-style campaigns.
• Experience interpreting NIL contracts and managing deliverables across digital, social, experiential, and in-venue assets.
• High attention to detail and accountability for results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other planning or CRM tools.
• Ability to work evenings/weekends as needed for game days, NIL activations, and events.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, sports management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of the multimedia rights landscape in collegiate athletics.
• Experience mentoring junior team members or overseeing activation processes.
• 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.

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.