POSITION TITLE: Guest Experience Programs Intern
DEPARTMENT: Guest Experience
REPORTS TO: Guest Experience & Programs Coordinator
POSITION LOCATION: Indianapolis, IN
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
WORKER CATEGORY: Intern
DURATION OF INTERNSHIP: January 2025 – August 2025
COMPANY SUMMARY:
Penske Entertainment is a leading provider of world-class sports and entertainment. The organization consists of three prominent entities:
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility and annually hosts the world’s most prestigious auto race: the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
- INDYCAR is 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 Productionsis a multifaceted broadcast and multimedia division that helps bring INDYCAR and IMS events to life for global audiences.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Working with the Coordinator, the Guest Experience Program Intern will help primarily with the planning and execution of the Guest Experience Non-Profit Program. The Programs Intern will also assist with College Program staffing, initiatives, and extra-curricular opportunities. During the Month of May, the Guest Experience Programs Intern will act as a key on-the-ground representative for the Non-Profit participants and problem-solve day-of staffing issues. Guest Experience Programs Intern will be a part of the IMS College Program and is eligible for all relevant programming and experiences.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
- Understand and contribute to the Non-Profit Program strategic goals
- Provide support with application and onboarding activities for all seasonal employees
- Compose and coordinate correspondences with a diverse group of seasonal employees
- Work with the Guest Experience team to plan and execute College Program staff events
- Aid in the recruitment efforts for both programs during the event planning period
- Help manage the Guest Experience Non-Profit database and provide follow-up support
- Coordinate Guest Experience Non-Profit check-in operations
- Assist with the scheduling and communication of Guest Experience Non-Profit participants
- Troubleshoot various staffing issues such as no-show coverage and over fulfillment
- React to event day issues and assist with problem-solving initiatives
- Aid in the collection of NFP & CP fulfillment rates during our events
- Provide administrative and operational support for IMS Guest Experience department
- Assist with post-event feedback collection and reporting
- Actively participate in all College Program activities and development opportunities
- Resolve and communicate customer service-related issues/concerns
- Other duties as assigned by the supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS:
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities
- This position will assist with the management of seasonal employees during event times
Education
- Pursuing Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university/college
Skills/Experience
- Previous experience in the IMS College Program is preferred
- A strong interest in event and staffing operations
- Interest and experience in event planning and execution
- Enthusiasm for and commitment to the company and the Vision, Mission and Values
- Ability to quickly process and react to problems with minimal supervision
- Innovative thinker and self-starter with perseverance to lead teams to success
- Effective written/verbal communication and advanced computer skills
- Effective interpersonal and leadership skills
- Ability to work in a role that requires clerical, organizational and operational skills, as well as initiative and flexibility
Travel/Work Hours
- No travel, however, this position requires working on some weekends as well as evening hours based upon our business needs. Flexibility and adaptability are key skills needed for this role.
- January - April
- Office hours: 10-15 hours/week, Monday-Friday
- May
- 40+ hours/week, including weekends
- Office hours: 10-15 hours/week, Monday-Friday
- Additional hours during event weeks
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.
- Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
- 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
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 performed in both an office environment and outdoors, and in proximity to other workers
- Interns will be exposed to those conditions normally encountered in a business office environment
- Interns are 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
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway 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.
