SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Purpose of the Role:

Reporting to the Director of Communications, this position will author and execute communications, while establishing and maintaining strong relationships with media contacts. This position will partner alongside the social and digital team for Arrow McLaren SP in the NTT INDYCAR Series as a part of McLaren Racing’s larger communication and marketing efforts in North America.

 

Role Dimensions:

As an individual contributor, this role will play an active role in the day-to-day operations and press office support of the Arrow McLaren SP Racing communications function, supporting the delivery of first-class media relations for AMSP to enhance brand awareness, drive value for corporate partners and grow the fanbase. This role assists in the management of numerous agencies including a photo agency, a multimedia agency and a public relations agency that augment and support the team.

Track and adhere to a communications budget for Arrow McLaren SP, including negotiating contracts with all agencies including photography, content, and reporting. Work to determine opportunities to supplement that budget with incremental work and projects for partners.

Travel to all NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, including additional tests and PR events throughout the year. Includes some international travel as required.

 

Principal Accountabilities:

  • Serve as a lead for communications and media relations for Arrow McLaren SP in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES
  • Execute against the Arrow McLaren SP communications plan and strategy by producing high-quality media-facing written material in the form of press releases, briefing documents, website copy, marketing collateral and media correspondence where required, of a high quality and in a format that can be used across digital and traditional media platforms
  • Act as first point of contact for copy proofing and editing
  • Facilitate incoming media requests for AMSP drivers, management, and employees and proactively raise and action media opportunities where appropriate
  • Provide on-site media relations and crisis communications for AMSP at every NTT INDYCAR SERIES event including (but not limited to) races, tests, and exhibitions
  • Provide communications support and guidelines to AMSP drivers and executives
  • Serve as the motorsport communications expert to our partners, including support of partners in their key activations and moments throughout the year
  • Develop relationships with key series and partner communications contacts
  • Oversee and manage all coverage monitoring, reporting and evaluation for the wider company and partners by setting and measuring against clear KPIs
  • Serve as a point of contact for all team agencies including photo, multimedia, and public relations agencies
  • Work with AMSP’s public relations agency to secure earned media throughout the season, including key moments and campaigns
  • Craft and distribute internal team messaging for various platforms within AMSP

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, or equivalent.
  • Minimum of 2-4 years of progressive experience in a media-facing communications function
  • Experience writing press releases and working with external media partners preferred
  • Background of building relationships with and working with external Media, specifically in a sports environment
  • Reporting and Analytics experience
  • Vendor and agency management
  • Proven ability to successfully collaborate, inform, and execute across the business in a matrix reporting environment
  • Communications/content strategy planning experience, including crisis & sponsor/partner communication
  • Position located in Indianapolis Indiana, requiring weekend travel from February through September (17 races)
  • Microsoft Office Suite, including Adobe Creative Suite

We're also looking for someone who:

  • Is able to effectively and confidently communicate with internal and external stakeholders of all levels of seniority
  • Has excellent verbal and interpersonal skills
  • Has strong copywriting skills
  • Has great attention to detail
  • Knows the value of teamwork and is able to work both proactively within a small team and co-ordinate the management of tasks within the team, as well as play an active role in the wider department
  • Has an inquisitive and self-starting nature, with the ability to manage your own workload
  • Has the ability to build strong and meaningful relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally and to become a trusted representative of the Communications team
  • Can multi-task and juggle several of ongoing projects at once