Communications Manager

POSITION TITLE: Manager, Communications
DEPARTMENT: INDYCAR Communications
REPORTS TO: Director, Communications
POSITION LOCATION: Indianapolis, IN
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
WORKER CATEGORY: Full-Time

COMPANY SUMMARY:

INDYCAR offers its lineup of drivers the most diverse challenges in motorsports; featuring racing at a combination of superspeedways, short ovals, road courses and street circuits. However, we are also about people. A talented staff with diverse skills that are used to the fullest in order to stage the world's great motor racing events. Employees at INDYCAR are challenged daily to excel in an environment featuring a pace that matches the high speed of the machines that race in our famous series. Working for us is a demanding, yet rewarding, endeavor for dedicated professionals who want to reach their ultimate potential amid the excitement of our premier open-wheel racing series.

POSITION SUMMARY

While this Communications Manager position will assist the VP of Communications and Director of Communications in overseeing the vision, development, plans and execution of the department’s various objectives for building brand awareness of the sport through media and marketing initiatives, the primary emphasis will be sharing and executing these goals with the race promoters and their in-market media outlets as well as engage in national media outreach.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of the marketing-communication plans set forth by the track promoter representatives. Partner with the identified INDYCAR marketing leads to create holistic and comprehensive plans with promoter partners that ensure proper use of the series drivers and series branding.
• Create and maintain strong relationships with all INDYCAR promoter public relations representatives to build integrated and cohesive media relations plans that advance a collective vision for the sport and the industry. Become familiar with key media in each of those race markets and create relationships on that level as well.
• Ability to help build and execute a comprehensive and effective advance program for promoters that provides value to the track and its key markets; in-market media; the drivers; the series; and related sponsors.
• Serve as one of the liaisons between the track and team public relations representatives on preassigned driver advance visits, remote radio interview blocks and race-week driver assignments that lead into on-track activity. Ability to create and oversee a calendar grid of all INDYCAR-assigned driver opportunities as well as identifying key content that enhances the overall series.
• Create and maintain relationships with national media outlets as well as actively pitching storylines to secure exposure for INDYCAR, its drivers and key partners.
• Partner the promoter responsibilities with national outreach efforts to maximize the media exposure of race championship week and key contenders.
• Ability to be assertive and proactive in media outreach efforts and storytelling, particularly in those promoter markets, to create and build exposure for the track and the series.
• Ability to fully comprehend and assist in assigned roles for a crisis management plan, ranging from understanding strategic messaging to helping handle sensitive situations that could include life-threatening injuries or fatalities.
• Partner with Indianapolis Motor Speedway colleagues to build an integrated media relations plan to promote the INDYCAR Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the entire Month of May in an effort to leverage the sport’s biggest stage to advance the series’ broader objectives.
• Familiarity with traditional and non-endemic national and local media outlets in New York City area as well as securing prominent media outlets for media tours with the Indianapolis 500 winner, NTT IndyCar Series champion and other special events.
• Ability to identify and create relationships with influencers in race markets and major markets, engaging with them to attend races and create content.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

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

Skills/Experience

• 5+ years of communications, marketing and/or promoter relations experience, preferably in the sports entertainment field or strongly affiliated field.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the ever-changing media landscape and identifying new opportunities and outlets to further grow the sport.
• Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.); knowledge of PR measuring tools preferred.
• 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.
• Innovative thinker and self-starter with perseverance to lead teams to success.
• High integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to work in high-paced environment and on short deadlines.
• Must be able to work exceptionally well with others in a close team environment.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of motorsports, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, INDYCAR Series, and other related activities is preferred.

Travel/Work Hours
Must be available to work during the work week and must have 100% availability during event times:

• Travel to all NTT IndyCar Series races and requested off-site shoots, appearances, meetings and events as defined by the VP of Communications and other departments.
• Must be available to work weekends as well as some overnight trips
• Must have a flexible schedule
• Must be willing to work unusual hours

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.

COMPANY BENEFITS:

Full-time employees enjoy a very competitive benefit package. Benefits include: Medical (including tax-advantaged Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match up to 5%, Paid Vacation, Personal & Sick Days, 10 Paid Holidays, Company Paid Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, Paid Maternity / Paternity Leave, On-site Workout Facility, and more.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

INDYCAR provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities and/or events.