POSITION: Communications Manager
FUNCTION: Oversee the improvement and implementation of Texas Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports objectives that enhance and improve media penetration, communications relations, speedway loyalty, and community outreach
LOCATION: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Speedway Motorsports (SM) is seeking a Communications Manager at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) who will play a pivotal role in shaping and conveying the organization's message to various stakeholders, including media, clients, fans, and the community. This position is responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies that enhance the TMS brand's visibility and reputation within the sports, entertainment, hospitality, tourism, and recreation industries. The Manager will work closely with the EVP-GM and internal teams to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms, including social media, press releases, and community outreach initiatives. By fostering strong media relations and engaging with the community through an ongoing proactive approach, the Communications Manager will help drive attendance, visibility, and participation in events at the Speedway for NASCAR and other key events. Ultimately, this role aims to create a positive and lasting impression of Texas Motor Speedway, contributing to its growth and success in the industry.
The required skills in internal communication and media relations will be used daily to ensure that all stakeholders are informed of and engaged with Texas Motor Speedway's initiatives. Writing and editing skills will be essential for crafting clear and compelling messages that resonate with diverse audiences. Strategic communication and media strategy will guide the development of campaigns that effectively promote events and enhance the brand's image. Working with TMS Marketing, social and digital media strategies will be employed to create dynamic content that drives engagement and fosters community relations. Additionally, public relations skills will be crucial in building and maintaining positive relationships with media outlets and community partners.
The ideal candidate will adopt a GLOBE mentality. GLOBE stands for Generously Lending Our Best Efforts. This is done by holding themselves and their teammates accountable for taking our best practices “the last mile” – optimizing them for maximum value to all of our stakeholders while sharing insights on how to improve our company. The ideal candidate will also be a productive and proactive self-starter who is passionate about their duties and willing to put forth the extra effort to achieve excellence.
Core Responsibilities
Improve and execute internal and external communication strategies to bring more attention and focus to TMS and its initiatives.
- Create and distribute engaging content for social and digital media platforms to promote events and initiatives.
- Collaborate with various departments to ensure alignment in messaging and branding.
- Manage media relations, including drafting press releases and responding to media inquiries.
- Monitor and analyze media coverage, public sentiment and community engagement to inform and enhance communication strategies.
- Embrace non-traditional communications channels to penetrate the crowded DFW media market to build year-round relevance.
- Actively work to develop and expand PR/media/influencer contacts in DFW and the surrounding region.
- Continue to expand media/comms relationships in the DFW area with key sports, community, weather, and news people to help grow the TMS sphere of influence.
- Work with TMS and SM teammates to collaborate and execute effectively on content, events, and other big ideas around TMS, specifically marketing, sales, tickets, and events.
Speedway Leadership / Support
Work with TMS and SM to clearly define and communicate the overall TMS communications and public relations strategy and execution. Specific responsibilities include:
Improve existing public relations plans and communications objectives for every major event and other secondary events.
- Work with the Marketing Department to enhance the TMS brand in order to improve brand positioning and key brand metrics.
- Improve and execute the communications, community, and public relations calendar, in conjunction with Marketing, using existing SM Playbooks while ensuring to include consistent and new communications strategies.
- Make recommendations on and manage the Communications budget within existing guidelines.
- Evaluate competitor strategies and positioning and devise cross promotion and/or counterstrategies, i.e. teams, facilities, leagues, properties, etc.
- Improve, implement, and manage the communications database for outreach to all stakeholders.
- Operate with a servant leadership approach to TMS and SM colleagues.
Marketing
Work with the Marketing and Social Media team to mutually improve the overarching communications strategy focused on media coverage, fan admissions and sponsorship support plus opportunities to engage media on a regular basis.
- Consistently work with the Marketing team to optimize the reach and engagement for campaigns including media partnerships which can enhance communications outreach / engagement. This position will work closely with Marketing and the EVP-GM to grow community initiatives through engagement with chamber, rotary and other locally based organizations.
Media/Advertising
Lead the communications planning process in conjunction with Marketing to engage, collaborate, and grow media channels and partnerships, promotions, etc.
- Improve communications strategies to attract and retain customers and increase the brand recognition.
- Assist Marketing with media negotiations with vendors ensuring the most effective marketing mix and securing the greatest value-add possible from all media partners.
- Ensure TMS optimizes NASCAR and XFINITY media resources and outreach.
- Consistently review competitive landscape for timing & placement of communications distribution both locally and nationally including political climate, other sporting events, other local events that might compete with TMS events.
Corporate Sales Support
Attend Corporate Sales meetings to support corporate partner contractual obligations and activation needs while supporting new business acquisition needs.
- Create necessary communications to assist in the sales process, i.e. press releases, VNR, etc.
- Participate in local/regional/national organizations as prioritized by Corporate Sales.
Events Team Support
Work closely with Events Team to help promote and advance key TMS events. This will include events located at the TMS footprint as well as events in the community, i.e., Driver Ambassador Program, Show Car Program, Team/Property cross-promotions, etc.
- Attend Event Team meetings as needed to support event team needs and planning
Speedway Children’s Charities Support
Work closely with the Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) to help promote and advance key SCC events and fundraising initiatives. This will include events located at the TMS footprint as well as events in the community
- Create necessary support materials to assist in the SCC event and fundraising process, i.e. press releases, media distribution, etc.)
- Regularly connect with the SCC to support event team needs and planning
Corporate Leadership / Support
Maintain an active role on Speedway Motorsports “task force” teams as recruited to help improve overall corporate effectiveness and efficiencies with specific responsibilities including:
Lead in the creation, enhancing and utilization of Speedway Motorsports business processes and communications templates including business plans, creative briefs, project briefs, and budgets.
- Consistently leverage internal and external resources to measure or enhance best practices for communications campaigns and initiatives.
- Actively participate and improve overall sanctioning body relationships and available resources including research, media interviews and databases.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience in senior level communications roles, with accountabilities for business results and performance
- Experience in corporate communication or public relations, preferably in the sports, entertainment, hospitality or tourism industries
- Experience in designing and implementing successful communications campaigns, preferably in the DFW market and surrounding region
- Ability to understand and influence the supported business operations, strategic direction, and consumer base
- Excellent leadership skills, working from a servant leadership approach and operating in a team environment
- Proactive and strategic mindset with the ability to make difficult decisions and problem solve
- Strong writing and editing skills with a keen eye for detail
- Experience in event promotion and community engagement
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
- Strong analytics and project management skills
- Executive presence and ability to influence professionals at all levels
- Knowledge of the motorsports industry and its audience is preferred
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
