Director, NIL Revenue & Activation - Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio at Learfield IMG College

Position Title: Director, NIL Revenue & Activation - Ohio State University

Requisition ID: R101238

Location: Columbus, OH

Full/Part-Time: Full time

About Us:

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With data-based solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

Our people-first culture is the foundation of our business and is reflective of our approach to building meaningful relationships with our employees, partners, and fans. The company strives each day to deliver the mission statement and embody the core values that make Learfield an exciting place to work.

Our Mission

Powering the connection of fans to the brands and experiences they love.

Our Core Values

Build Trust | Be Fans of One Another | Power Tomorrow | Create & Connect Communities | Have Fun

Ohio State Sports Properties is seeking an entrepreneurial revenue leader to head Buckeye Sports Group and build the commercial future of one of the most powerful brands in college athletics. This is a builder's role: your primary mandate is to grow new revenue streams (e.g., memorabilia, merchandise, experiences, events, and direct-to-consumer commerce) and to build and execute all NIL deals and activation across the athletics portfolio.

As Director of Buckeye Sports Group, you will own a P&L-minded growth agenda, turning Ohio State's brand equity and passionate national fanbase into durable revenue. You'll architect the channels, partnerships, and platforms that convert demand into sales, while overseeing an NIL function that executes deals end to end — from opportunity through contracting, College Sports Commission approval, fulfillment, and payment.

This role reports to the Vice President & General Manager of Ohio State Sports Properties and works across Athletic Department leadership, student-athletes and coaches, agents and representatives, brand partners, and commerce/technology vendors.

What You'll Do
Revenue Generation & Commercial Growth (Primary)

• Own and grow Ohio State's emerging revenue verticals (e.g., memorabilia, merchandise, experiences, and events), building each into a scalable, repeatable business.
• Design and operate direct-to-consumer and eCommerce channels, from storefront and merchandising strategy through pricing, promotions, inventory, and fulfillment.
• Lead the selection, implementation and optimization of the commerce technology ecosystem (e.g., eCommerce platform, payments, fan data/CRM, email and lifecycle marketing).
• Use first-party fan data and analytics to drive acquisition, conversion, retention, and lifetime value, optimizing the funnel with a test-and-learn discipline.
• Identify and launch new monetizable products and experiences (limited drops, premium/VIP experiences, authenticated memorabilia, collectibles) that convert fan passion into revenue.
• Set revenue targets, manage the unit's P&L and budget, and allocate resources for maximum return.

NIL Activation & Fulfillment (Secondary)

• Partner with the Ohio State University Athletic Department for overall NIL strategy and activation needs across all sports.
• Oversee the end-to-end NIL function: opportunity sourcing, contracting, clearinghouse/College Sports Commission approval, activation, fulfillment, and student-athlete compensation.
• Partner with the Ohio State Sports Properties sales team to ideate and pitch integrated NIL + multimedia rights (MMR) deals to prospective and existing partners.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with student-athletes, agents, and brand partners, serving as the primary point of contact and ensuring flawless execution.
• Develop a strategic NIL plan across all 36 sports, defining investment, brand-partner portfolio, and the resources required to deliver.

Leadership & Industry

• Lead and develop a high-performing, cross-functional team spanning commerce, marketing, and NIL operations.
• Stay ahead of industry shifts, commerce and fan-engagement trends, NIL deal activity, and state/federal legislation, and represent Ohio State in the LEARFIELD corporate working group.
• Maintain strong alignment with university stakeholders to ensure compliant, mutually beneficial outcomes.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 10+ years in revenue generation, eCommerce/DTC, or commercial growth, with a proven record of building and scaling new revenue streams (ideally including team leadership).
• Hands-on experience operating an eCommerce/DTC business: platform management, merchandising, pricing, promotions, fulfillment, and unit economics.
• Experience launching new businesses, products or commercial ventures in competitive DTC categories.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership and a data-driven, test-and-learn approach to growth.
• Prior NIL experience preferred.
• Sharp negotiator and relationship-builder with outstanding communication skills.
• Strategic, creative operator with a bias for action.

Why Ohio State
Buckeye Sports Group sits at the intersection of one of the country's largest athletics brands and a national fanbase eager to engage. You'll have the brand, resources, and autonomy to build a commerce and NIL business from a position of real strength, and to define what monetizing a college athletics brand looks like in this new era.

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.