Business Development Associate

Responsibilities: - Partner with sales to develop and implement brand outreach strategies for new business, renewals, cross-selling, and upselling, with a strong emphasis on Golfweek partnerships. - Drive revenue growth across Golfweek's media, content, and event platforms, while contributing to broader USA TODAY Sports initiatives. - Manage the complete RFP process, including ideation, tracking, team communication, and timeline management. - Serve as a project manager across key accounts, ensuring alignment across sales, editorial, account management, and product teams from pre-sale through execution. - Lead brainstorming and strategy sessions, capturing and articulating ideas for internal teams. - Collaborate with editorial, research, account management, and product teams to deliver client-aligned solutions, particularly across Golfweek tentpoles and programs. - Convey ideas and opportunities via self-produced PowerPoint proposals and presentations that are timely, innovative, and effective. - Identify proactive steps to close business and assist in delivering follow-up in the negotiation of terms pertaining to the sale and delivery of the program. - Manage the sports revenue pipeline, including RFPs, sales decks, media plans, IOs, and campaign performance. - Participate in client-facing meetings and promote USA TODAY Sports Media Group's value proposition. - Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with clients and agencies. - Collaborate with the strategy team to provide consistent feedback to improve standard offerings. - Work with the post-sale team to relay sponsorship concepts and elements for sold campaigns. - Develop case studies outlining executions and analyzing campaign results against industry standards. - Participate and represent USA TODAY Sports Media Group at local industry events. Qualifications: - Strong understanding, passion, and knowledge for sports, with a particular interest in golf. - BA or BS from an accredited college or university. - Minimum 3-5 years of experience in digital advertising at a media company, sports marketing agency, or digital agency. - Proven ability to develop innovative, integrated marketing solutions. - Strong project management skills with a track record of handling multiple projects simultaneously. - Creative and analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving, writing, and speaking skills. - Required knowledge of and experience with media across digital, print, events, social, and mobile platforms. - Skilled in developing cross-platform opportunities that drive revenue. - Understanding of media business, ad sales, and the creative/editorial process. - Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word; knowledge of comScore and Salesforce is a plus.