Guest Experience Programs Intern, 2027 Season

Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Ambassador program

Developmental programming

Job summary

Penske Entertainment, via the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is seeking a Guest Experience Programs Intern to assist with planning and executing the Guest Experience Non-Profit Program. You will support College Program staffing and act as a on-site liaison for Non-Profit participants during events.

Ideal candidates are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, with a strong interest in event planning and staffing operations, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Prior IMS College Program experience preferred.
• Interest in event and staffing operations required.
• Strong planning and execution abilities expected.

Responsibilities

• Understand and contribute to Non-Profit Program goals.
• Assist with onboarding seasonal staff and communications.
• Plan and execute College Program staff events.
• Support recruitment during event planning period and manage databases.
• Coordinate check-in operations and participant scheduling.
• Support post-event feedback collection and reporting.
• Provide general administrative support to the IMS Guest Experience team.
• Participate in all College Program activities and development opportunities.
• Resolve customer service issues and respond to concerns.
• Handle other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

IMS College Program experience

Event staffing operations

Event planning and execution

Problem-solving under pressure

Strong communication skills

Leadership and teamwork

Clerical and organizational skills

Diversity awareness

Company values alignment

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree in progress

Tools

Advanced computer skills

Job description

About Us

At

• 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.

Job Details

DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Guest Experience Programs Intern

REPORTS TO: Event Operations & Programs Coordinator

LOCATION: Indianapolis, IN

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Intern

DURATION: January 2027 – June 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

Working with the Coordinator, the Guest Experience Programs Intern will help primarily with the planning an execution of the Guest Experience Non-Profit Program. The Programs intern will also assist with College Program Event Staff staffing, initiatives, and extracurricular 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.

Your Responsibilities

• Understand and contribute to the Non-Profit Program strategic goals
• Provide support with application and onboarding activities for all seasonal employees
• Compose and coordinate correspondence 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 periodHelp 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 supervisor

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
• 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
  • Office hours: 10-15 hours/week, Monday-Friday

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.