Coordinator, Communications – INDY NXT

POSITION TITLE:

Coordinator, Communications - INDY NXT

DEPARTMENT:

INDYCAR Communications

REPORTS TO:

Director, Communications

LOCATION:

Indianapolis, IN

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:

Full-Time

ABOUT US

At Penske Entertainment, we don’t just host world-class events-we create unforgettable moments. Our team fuels four iconic motorsports brands:

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) - home of the world’s largest spectator sporting facility and annually hosts the world’s most prestigious auto race: the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
• INDYCAR - The Indianapolis-based governing body for North America's premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone.
• IMS Productions - A multifaceted broadcast and multimedia division that helps bring INDYCAR and IMS events to life for global audiences.
• Motorsports Events Management (MEM) - Promotes major events featuring premier motorsports series throughout the United States.

Whether on the track, behind the scenes, or on the screen, our people are at the heart of everything we do. If you’re ready for a career where excitement, purpose, and impact collide-we want to meet you.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Coordinator, Communications - INDY NXT, will assist the Director of Communications in overseeing the development, plans and execution of various objectives for building brand awareness of the sport through key promotional initiatives. A primary emphasis of this role will be athlete storytelling and garnering earned media for the INDY NXT by Firestone series.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and maintain strong relationships with all INDY NXT by Firestone drivers and team principals to become the subject matter expert on their journeys to and goals within the sport of INDYCAR.
• Work alongside INDYCAR’s digital, social and editorial content teams to ensure inclusion of key INDY NXT by Firestone storylines in ongoing content plans.
• Build relationships with promoter public relations and marketing representatives to assist in planning and execution of integrated promotional plans (e.g., media interviews, event appearances, etc.) that advance a collective vision for the sport and the industry.
• Become familiar with key motorsports media and media in race markets and create beneficial relationships.
• Ability to actively identify storylines and be assertive and proactive in pitching to media, particularly in promoter markets, to create and build exposure of INDY NXT by Firestone, its athletes and key partners.
• Partner with broadcast partners and promoter public relations leads to maximize the media exposure of INDY NXT by Firestone race championship week and key championship contenders.
• Partner with INDYCAR digital colleagues to assist with social influencer outreach and strategy for INDY NXT by Firestone events and drivers.
• Ability to fully comprehend and assist in assigned roles for a crisis management plan.
• Partner with Indianapolis Motor Speedway colleagues to build an integrated media relations plan to promote the entire Month of May in an effort to leverage the sport’s biggest stage to advance the company’s broader objectives.

WHAT YOU BRING

Required Experience & Skills:

• 1-2 years of experience in communications or marketing, preferably in the sports entertainment field or strongly affiliated field.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the ever-changing media landscape and identify new opportunities and outlets to further grow the sport.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, creativity, comfort with ambiguity, ability to manage change and balance competing/evolving priorities.
• Must possess strong drive and perseverance despite obstacles or political adversity, willingness to speak up and share opinions, be comfortable and self-confident, yet demonstrate a proper level of humility.
• High integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and on short deadlines.
• Must be able to work exceptionally well with others in a close team environment.
• Effective communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.); knowledge of PR measuring tools preferred.
• Knowledge of motorsports, INDYCAR, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and other related activities is preferred.
• Commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds and commitment to cultural competency.
• Ability to uphold and consistently demonstrate the Penske Entertainment Standards.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Marketing or other relevant field or equivalent experience required.

FLEXIBILITY & TRAVEL

• Must be available to work during the work week and must have 100% availability during event times
• Travel to all assigned INDYCAR sanctioned races and events, as well as requested off-site shoots, appearances, meetings and events as defined by the Director, Communications and other departments
• Must be available to work weekends including some overnight trips
• Must have a flexible schedule
• Must be willing to work unusual hours
• General office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
• Longer hours and weekends required for the Month of May and other major racing events
• Penske Entertainment acknowledges that the need for flexibility varies across all companies/departments and is not best addressed by a one size fits all flexible work policy. As such, the company encourages supervisors to work with their employees to leverage flexibility as needed to support a healthy balance

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical demands consist primarily of sitting, standing and walking.
• Must be able to see and hear in the normal range with or without correction and communicate verbally and in written form with great facility and must be able to be understood.
• Must have the stamina to work long hours and must be willing to work an irregular schedule, which may include weekends or evenings.
• Occasional work outdoors requires physical strength and stamina to endure extreme heat, cold, rain and other conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is mainly performed in an indoor environment and in close proximity to others.
• The employee is faced with frequent interruptions and must meet with others on a regular basis.
• The noise level in the work environment can be loud, due to professional racing events.

BENEFITS & PERKS

We take care of our team with a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to 5%
• Paid vacation, personal, and sick days + 12 paid holidays
• Generous paid parental leave and tuition assistance
• On-site fitness center and wellness programs
• Discounts on meals, gear, and more

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Penske Entertainment is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive-regardless of race, gender, orientation, background, or ability.