Guest Experience Operations Intern, 2027 Season

Penske Entertainment - IMS; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Ambassador for IMS

Development programming

Job summary

Penske Entertainment is seeking a Guest Experience Operations Intern in Indianapolis, IN. This internship supports the event operations team, focusing on staffing, setup, teardown, and real-time problem-solving during events, including the Indianapolis 500.

The role offers exposure to IMS brands, collaboration across departments, and opportunities for professional growth. Responsibilities include onboarding seasonal staff, coordinating communications, and assisting with scheduling systems.

Qualifications

• Proven interest in event and staffing operations.
• Experience with event planning and execution helpful.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support staffing requirements and fulfillment for events.
• Assist with onboarding of seasonal employees.
• Coordinate correspondence with seasonal staff.
• Manage IMS Scheduling System for employee data.
• Troubleshoot event-day staffing and operational issues.
• Conduct pre-event walkthroughs of spaces used by operations.
• Oversee setup/teardown needs and equipment placement.
• Collaborate with operations to resolve issues during events.
• Provide admin support to the IMS Guest Experience team.
• Communicate customer-service related concerns clearly.
• Participate in College Program activities and development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Skills

Event operations

Staffing operations

Communication

Problem-solving

Leadership

Adaptability

Clerical

Diversity

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate student

Tools

IMS Scheduling System

Job description

POSITION TITLE:
Guest Experience Operations Intern

REPORTS TO:
Manager of Event Personnel

LOCATION:
Indianapolis, IN

FLSA STATUS:
Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
Internship

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP:
January 2027 – July 2027

ABOUT US

At Penske Entertainment, we don’t just host world-class events—we create unforgettable moments. Our team fuels four iconic motorsports brands:

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) – home of the world’s largest spectator sporting facility and annually hosts the world’s most prestigious auto race: the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
• INDYCAR – 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 – A multifaceted broadcast and multimedia division that helps bring INDYCAR and IMS events to life for global audiences.
• Motorsports Events Management (MEM) – Promotes major events featuring premier motorsports series throughout the United States.

Whether on the track, behind the scenes, or on the screen, our people are at the heart of everything we do. If you’re ready for a career where excitement, purpose, and impact collide—we want to meet you.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Guest Experience Operations Intern will report to the Senior Manager, Event Operations to assist the entire operations team with a variety of planning and execution projects. Projects will include exposure to staffing operations and management, venue set-up and tear-down, and event coordination. During the Month of May, the Guest Experience Operations Intern will work with the operations team to solve numerous real-time issues. The Intern will become intimately involved with overall execution and management of events at IMS.

In this role, you’ll be an important part of delivering top-tier experiences to fans, partners, and teams across the motorsports world. You’ll take ownership of key responsibilities, collaborate across departments, and bring energy and innovation to a fast-paced environment.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understand and contribute to solving overall staffing requirements and fulfillment
• Provide support with application and onboarding activities for all seasonal employees
• Compose and coordinate correspondence with a diverse group of seasonal employees
• Help manage the employee database contained in the IMS Scheduling System
• Troubleshoot various event day staffing and operational issues such as no-show coverage and equipment distribution
• Perform pre-event walkthroughs of all spaces used by the operations team
• Manage facility set-up and tear-down operations including bike rack placement, signage, and other event needs
• React to event day issues and assist with problem-solving initiatives
• Work closely with operations staff to resolve a wide range of issues during both marquee and tier two events
• Provide administrative support for IMS Guest Experience department
• Resolve and communicate customer service-related issues/concerns
• Actively participate in all College Program activities and development opportunities
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and the entire operations team

WHAT YOU BRING

We’re looking for someone who’s ready to bring great effort every day and is committed to growing with us.

Required Experience & Skills:

• 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
• Cultural competence and the ability to thrive in a diverse environment
• Alignment with Penske Entertainment’s core values and standards

Education:

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university

Leadership:

• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities
• This position will assist with the management of seasonal employees during event times

FLEXIBILITY & TRAVEL

• No travel required.
• 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
• June – July
  • Office hours: 10-15 hours/week, Monday – Friday
• Additional hours during event weeks

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• 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

• Employee will be exposed to those conditions normally encountered in a business office environment
• Employee is faced with frequent interruptions and must work in close proximity to others.
• Fast-paced, collaborative office and event settings
• The noise level in the work environment can be loud, due to professional racing events.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy 500
• Access to developmental programming and networking events

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Penske Entertainment is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive—regardless of race, gender, orientation, background, or ability.