Manager, San Diego Event Operations

NASCAR Event Promotions, LLC; San Diego (CA); Remote; USD 73,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

NASCAR is seeking an experienced Manager, San Diego Event Operations, to lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of special event operations. You will oversee complex initiatives, venue operations, and cross‑functional projects delivering top‑notch experiences for fans, partners, and stakeholders.

The role requires extensive travel (up to 75%), an initial 1–3 month deployment in San Diego, and ongoing nationwide support for NASCAR's special events.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of experience in event operations, venue management, hospitality operations, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree from a four‑year college or university preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale live events, complex operational initiatives, and cross‑functional projects.
• Experience in professional sports, motorsports, or live entertainment preferred.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, budgeting, and resource allocation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of NASCAR special events and select organizational initiatives.
• Support planning and execution of the Anduril 250 NASCAR Cup Series event at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
• Oversee venue readiness, event logistics, production schedules, and on‑site operations.
• Provide operational leadership throughout all phases of events, including planning, setup, execution, and breakdown.
• Develop and manage event budgets, project timelines, resource allocation, and priorities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, optimize spending, and improve efficiency and performance.

Skills

Event operations

Venue management

Hospitality operations

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At NASCAR, you will work alongside passionate people creating experiences fans feel and helping shape the future of sports and entertainment. NASCAR is seeking an experienced Manager, San Diego Event Operations, to lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of special event operations. This role will oversee complex event initiatives, venue operations, and cross-functional projects that deliver exceptional experiences for fans, partners, and stakeholders. This remote position requires extensive travel and will initially support a 1-3 month assignment in the San Diego area leading up to the Anduril 250 NASCAR Cup Series race at Naval Base Coronado in August 2027. Following the event, the role will continue supporting NASCAR's special events and strategic initiatives nationwide. Combining strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, this position will lead cross‑functional projects, develop scalable operational strategies, and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, innovation, and consistency across NASCAR's special events. Working closely with executive leadership and key stakeholders, this role will help advance organizational priorities and deliver best‑in‑class event experiences.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of NASCAR special events and select organizational initiatives.
• Serve as a key operational leader supporting the planning and execution of the Anduril 250 NASCAR Cup Series event at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
• Support temporary on‑site event operations assignments, including an initial 1‑3 month deployment in the San Diego market leading up to major event execution.
• Oversee venue readiness, event logistics, production schedules, and on‑site operations to ensure safe, efficient, and successful event execution.
• Provide operational leadership throughout all phases of events, including planning, setup, execution, and breakdown.
• Ensure event operations align with NASCAR's safety, operational, and risk management standards.
• Develop and manage event budgets, project timelines, resource allocation, and operational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, optimize spending, and improve operational efficiency and overall business performance.
• Establish and implement operational standards, playbooks, and scalable processes to drive consistency across events.
• Champion innovation through technology, reporting, and workflow improvements that enhance event operations and organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams, including Competition, Design & Development, Experience, Marketing, Security, Sustainability, and Guest Services, to align event operations with business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, executive leadership, vendors, agencies, contractors, and external partners.
• Oversee vendor and partner relationships to ensure operational requirements, performance expectations, and organizational objectives are met.
• Lead complex, cross‑functional projects and strategic initiatives from initial planning through successful execution.
• Serve as a trusted partner to leadership by providing operational insights, identifying opportunities for improvement, and supporting strategic business priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

• Ten or more years of experience in event operations, venue management, hospitality operations, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree from a four‑year college or university preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale live events, complex operational initiatives, and cross‑functional projects.
• Experience in professional sports, motorsports, or live entertainment preferred.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, budgeting, and resource allocation skills.
• Proven ability to develop and implement operational processes, identify efficiencies, and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, internal teams, and external partners.
• Ability to balance long‑term strategic objectives with hands‑on operational execution.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills with a high level of accountability, attention to detail, and follow‑through.
• Valid driver's license in good standing and ability to meet company driving record requirements.
• Ability to travel up to 75% of the time, including extended periods supporting on‑site event operations.
• Ability to comply with NASCAR's substance abuse policy.

Why This Role?

This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping how NASCAR plans and delivers its special events. Through strategic planning, operational leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration, this role will directly influence the efficiency, consistency, and overall success of NASCAR's event operations while helping create exceptional experiences for fans, partners, and stakeholders.

The compensation range for this position is: $73,000 - $95,000

Behind every race weekend are talented people helping shape the future of sports and entertainment.

Our people are the key to our success. That is why we offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package focused on wellness, and opportunities to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

We are looking for your voice, your ideas, and your perspective. To help us get to know you accurately and keep the process fair for everyone, we ask that interviews and assessments be completed without the support of AI‑generated content or automated assistance.

NASCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to conducting recruitment and hiring activities in a fair, ethical, and legally compliant manner. In support of this commitment, all employment decisions are based on job‑related qualifications, skills, experience, and performance, and are made without discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including socioeconomic, marital, parental, or caregiving status.

Follow us on LinkedIn and X for future opportunities and company news. We are looking for your voice, your ideas, and your perspective.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.