POSITION TITLE: VIP Services Intern
DEPARTMENT: Sales & Partnerships
REPORTS TO: Sr. Coordinator, VIP Services
POSITION LOCATION: Indianapolis
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
WORKER CATEGORY: Intern
DURATION: 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 Productions is a multifaceted broadcast and multimedia division that helps bring INDYCAR and IMS events to life for global audiences.
The Penske Entertainment experience is fast-paced, diverse and impactful. Through its business units, the organization reaches audiences on an international scale, focused on delivering exceptional products from start to finish. Employees of Penske Entertainment are challenged daily in a demanding, yet rewarding environment that is best suited for dedicated professionals who want to reach their ultimate potential amid the excitement, tradition, and pageantry of the World’s Greatest Race Course and our premier open-wheel racing series.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the leadership of the Sr. Coordinator, VIP Services, this position serves as a valuable team member, with a wide array of responsibilities for the Month of May (GMR Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge) and Brickyard Weekend (Verizon 200, Gallagher Grand Prix, and Pennzoil 150), and other events taking place at IMS during the period of employment. Responsibilities include but are not limited to supporting suites and hospitality spaces and accommodating requests for VIP guests. The selected candidate is expected to balance many conflicting demands while providing excellent customer service. The chosen candidate will work out of the IMS Administration building while preparing for events and on the facility grounds during events. The VIP and Talent Experience Intern is part of the College Program and is eligible for all relevant programming and experiences.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
- Prepare suite and hospitality tickets and credentials for VIP guests
- Assist with placing food and beverage orders for the various suite and hospitality spaces
- Help with oversight of VIP events leading up to and taking place during the month of May and Brickyard event weekend
- Assist with all logistical aspects of the Veteran Driver Program
- Assist with all logistical aspects of the VIP/celebrity programs during the month of May (honorary roles – National Anthem, God Bless America, Green Flag, flyover, etc.)
- Oversee respective College Program staff
- Serve as an IMS brand ambassador and demonstrate enthusiasm for Penske Entertainment, our vision, mission, and values
- Maintain general office duties
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS:
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position does not have any supervisory
Education
- Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree (Tourism & Convention Management, Event Management, Sports Management, Marketing, Public Relations preferred)
Skills / Experience
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a role that requires clerical and organizational skills, as well as initiative and flexibility
- Team-first outlook with the ability to build strong working relationships with peers
- Office experience preferred but not required
- Advanced computer skills (Excel, Word, )
- Attention to detail
- High integrity and confidentiality
- Proactive, innovative thinker who takes initiative
- High level of professionalism
- Organizational skills and ability to multitask
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to adjust well to change in a fast-paced work environment and time constraints
Travel / Work Hours
- No travel
- Begins in mid-to-late January and concludes in August (must be available for all events during this period)
- Requires a minimum of 12 hours per week during the spring semester before the season ramps up at the end of April
- Works a minimum of 40 hours per week including weekends during May and Brickyard Weekend (could be up to 16-hour days)
- Candidate must be able to work overtime as needed
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 50 pounds
- 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 articulately in verbal and written form.
- Must have the stamina to work long hours and must be willing to work an irregular schedule that may include weekends or evenings
- Occasional outdoor work requires physical strength and stamina to endure extreme heat, cold, rain, and other adverse 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 performed in both an office environment and
- Staff will be exposed to conditions normally encountered in a business office
- Staff will experience frequent interruptions and must be prepared to interact with others on a regular basis
- The noise level in the work environment can be loud, due to professional racing events
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Penske Entertainment 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.
