NIL Partnership Solutions Manager

Position Summary: 

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 marketing—preferably 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.