Senior Director of Business Development

Senior Director of Business Development

The University of Virginia is a highly competitive Division I program committed to academic and athletic excellence. The Department of Athletics at the University of Virginia is accepting applications for the position of Senior Director of Business Development to help grow and manage Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships at the University of Virginia. This role will be responsible for generating new UVA student-athlete NIL opportunities. The candidate must be driven to execute the UVA NIL revenue model and understand NIL's distinctive role within the University of Virginia Athletics department. Reporting to the Deputy Athletic Director, External Operations and UVA NIL General manager, this role will pitch and close strategic NIL partnership agreements. This role will also be responsible for generating incremental sponsorship revenue, as directed, to meet and exceed individual and team NIL revenue goals. Operating primarily within the Revenue Generation vertical, this role serves as a key enterprise connector. The Senior Director will collaborate cross-functionally with Front Office leadership to ensure commercial opportunities align with roster construction, and partner with Athlete Services to ensure seamless fulfillment and student-athlete brand activation. Additionally, this position will spearhead non-traditional revenue concepts and special event integrations to maximize the department's broader commercial ecosystem.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drive Revenue Growth: Develop and execute strategic NIL sales presentations to generate new NIL opportunities in alignment with Virginia Sports Properties, Playfly Max, and UVA Athletics' goals.
• Diversify the athletic department's funding model by identifying, pitching, and executing non-traditional revenue streams; this includes leveraging facility utilization for special events, public-private ventures, and innovative corporate activations beyond standard inventory.
• Business Development: Identify, research, and cultivate NIL relationships with local, regional, and national brands that align with UVA Athletics' mission, values, and fan demographics.
• Portfolio Management: Help support and manage existing NIL corporate partners.
• Partnership Strategy: Collaborate with UVA Athletics, Playfly Max, and Virginia Sports Properties to create new NIL marketing assets for UVA student-athletes.
• Partner closely with Front Office leadership (including GMs and Capologists) to ensure corporate NIL initiatives align seamlessly with roster planning and compliance frameworks; coordinate directly with the Athlete Services division to streamline partner activations, brand education, and student-athlete fulfillment.
• Consultative Selling: Conduct annual needs assessments to understand client NIL goals and objectives.
• Creative Storytelling: Build compelling sales presentations that leverage data, fan insights, and integrated marketing opportunities to maximize student-athlete marketing opportunities.
• Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships with NIL partners, campus stakeholders, and community leaders through consistent communication and in-person engagement.
• Game Day & Event Presence: Represent UVA Athletics, Playfly Max, Virginia Sports Properties and UVA NIL with a high level of integrity and positive attitude at designated home games, NIL events, and university functions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to generate and present ideas/concepts succinctly and provide creative solutions to prospects/clients.
• Outstanding communication skills are essential for interactions with clients, operational leaders, and other senior executives.
• Demonstrated professional sales presentation skills.

Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's degree Experience: At least three years of experience Licensure: None Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience navigating complex sports ecosystems, with a strong understanding of how revenue generation directly impacts roster management (cap/budgeting) and athlete-facing services.
• Proven history of conceptualizing or executing large-scale special events, non-traditional facility monetization, or alternative commercial joint-ventures.
• Experience with integrated and "conceptual" sales