General Manager - St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota at Learfield IMG College

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

Position Summary:

LEARFIELD is seeking a driven and collaborative General Manager (GM) to lead our Sports Properties and serve as the primary Learfield liaison to the university’s Athletics Department. This position plays a vital role in overseeing the school’s athletics multimedia rights agreement and managing the corporate partner platform, while cultivating strong, trusted relationships across campus. The GM is responsible for delivering results, supporting the local team, and contributing to a long-term, successful partnership between Learfield and the university.

In this role, you will oversee day-to-day property operations and support sales efforts by working closely with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll manage and mentor a small team, collaborate with university leadership, and help implement marketing and sponsorship strategies that align with both Learfield and the university’s goals. This position is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in sponsorship sales, operations, and partner management who is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison between Learfield and the university’s Athletics Department, Athletic Director, and key staff.

• Manage the execution of the multimedia rights agreement and ensure it reflects the university’s mission, values, and branding standards.

• Lead the property team, which may include sales and/or activation staff, by providing clear direction, coaching, and performance support.

• Achieve individual and team revenue goals by selling integrated sponsorship packages using traditional, digital, social, and experiential platforms.

• Develop strong relationships with university contacts, sponsors, and other stakeholders to drive value and engagement.

• Collaborate with regional and corporate support teams (e.g., research, marketing, digital, legal) to ensure seamless operations and client satisfaction.

• Develop and manage annual budgets, business plans, and forecasts that ensure property-level accountability and financial performance.

• Represent Learfield in key meetings, campus initiatives, and local events to promote partnership visibility and university engagement.

• Model and foster a positive, inclusive, and team-first culture across the property and broader organization.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, athletic department staff, and internal stakeholders—serving as a trusted and respected representative of both LEARFIELD and the university.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience in sponsorship sales, sports marketing, or related B2B role, with measurable success.

• Some prior experience managing others and a desire to grow as a team leader.

• Solid understanding of sponsorship strategy, marketing channels (traditional and digital), and activation.

• Effective communicator with strong relationship-building and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple teams and work effectively with external partners.

• Strong organizational skills with an ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

• High integrity, sound judgment, and a team-first mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in or around collegiate athletics or higher education.

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.

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.