Background:  
The Big 12 Conference enters its 29th year as one of the nation’s premier conferences in college athletics under the leadership of Commissioner Brett Yormark. Since joining the Conference in August 2022, Yormark has elevated the Big 12 to new heights, emphasizing marketing, brand building and instilling an innovative strategy that has resonated across the college athletics landscape.   
  
Starting Aug. 2, 2024, the Conference is composed of 16 universities spanning 10 states and four time zones. The Big 12 members include Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah and West Virginia. 
 
The Big 12 began play in 1996 and is the home of 87 team NCAA national championships, and 764 individual national champions. The Big 12 Conference office is located in Irving, Texas.  

Any interested candidates should contact TurnkeyZRG directly.

Contacting Big 12 Conference will only delay consideration of your qualifications. 

Position Summary:  

The Associate Vice President, Partnerships will be a key driver of revenue growth, responsible for securing and managing high-value partnerships that align with the Big 12’s brand and strategic goals. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Partnerships and Ticketing, this role will play a pivotal part in expanding corporate relationships, maximizing sponsorship revenue, and enhancing the overall visibility of the conference. 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Lead high-level negotiations to secure multi-million-dollar partnerships that drive substantial revenue growth.  

• Develop and execute strategic partnership initiatives that elevate the Big 12 Conference’s brand presence and market influence.  

• Maintain and grow relationships with existing sponsors while identifying new revenue opportunities.  

• Craft compelling proposals and tailor sponsorship packages that align with corporate objectives.  

• Utilize CRM systems to track partnership performance, streamline communication, and manage sponsor engagements efficiently.  

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, member institutions, and external stakeholders to ensure successful partnership integration and activation.  

• Conduct industry research, competitor analysis, and market assessments to enhance the conference’s commercial strategy.  

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

• 7-10 years of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, or business development.  

• Proven track record of successfully closing $1M+ sponsorship deals in professional sports, collegiate athletics, or a related industry.  

• Exceptional negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure complex deals and resolve challenges effectively.  

• Proficiency in CRM platforms to manage sponsorship pipelines and optimize client relationships.  

• Professional sports or agency background preferred, demonstrating a deep understanding of the sports marketing landscape.  

• Bachelor’s degree