Premium Hospitality & Guest Experience Specialist

New York Racing Association; Elmont (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Racing Association (NYRA) seeks a Premium Hospitality & Guest Experience Specialist to support elite guest services at Belmont Park and Saratoga. This entry-level professional role focuses on premium experiences for members, VIPs, and corporate clients across race days and events.

You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure flawless service and memorable experiences. You will learn premium hospitality, event operations, and venue management while contributing to guest

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Event Management, Business, Communications, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Up to two years in hospitality, guest services, events, or premium seating or related fields.
• Strong guest service mindset and professional discretion.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a professional point of contact for premium guests, members, VIP clients, and partners during race-days and events.
• Assist on-site with premium hospitality operations: guest arrival, check-in, seating, dining, and events.
• Coordinate guest requests with F&B, Operations, Facilities, Sales, Ticketing, and Guest Services.
• Provide timely service recovery and document outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Assist with premium dining and event readiness, ensuring accurate guest info and materials.
• Prepare and send clear guest communications and updates.

Skills

Guest service

Event coordination

Professional communication

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Organization & detail

Adaptability

Customer advocacy

Record accuracy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Ticketing systems

Job description

Title: Premium Hospitality & Guest Experience Specialist

Employee Status: Regular Full Time

Work From Home Option: Not Applicable

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Overview:

Join one of New York’s most iconic sports and entertainment organizations and help deliver world-class hospitality experiences at the new Belmont Park and Saratoga Racecourse. The Premium Hospitality & Guest Experience Specialist serves as a key point of contact for premium members, VIP guests, corporate clients, and racing enthusiasts, ensuring each interaction reflects NYRA’s commitment to personalized service and memorable experiences.
This entry-level professional role supports race days, special events, premium dining experiences, and hospitality activations throughout the season. Working closely with leaders and partners across Premium Experience, Food & Beverage, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Guest Services, the Specialist gains broad exposure to the business while building a career foundation in premium guest services, event operations, venue management, or hospitality leadership.
WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT- No two days are the same. You will support exclusive guest experiences at legendary racing venues, including marquee events at the new Belmont Park and the historic Saratoga Racecourse, while learning from experienced hospitality and venue leaders.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as an accessible, professional point of contact for premium guests, members, VIP clients, and corporate partners before, during, and after race-day and special-event experiences.
• Support the on‑site execution of premium hospitality operations, including guest arrival, check-in, seating, dining, special events, and other premium service touchpoints.
  
• Coordinate guest requests and personalized preferences with Food & Beverage, Operations, Facilities, Sales, Ticketing, and Guest Services, following established procedures and escalating complex matters appropriately.
  
• Provide timely service recovery by listening to guest concerns, identifying practical solutions within established guidelines, documenting outcomes, and elevating high‑impact or sensitive issues to management.
  
• Assist with premium dining and event readiness by confirming guest information, service details, signage, amenities, and operational materials are accurate and in place.
  
• Prepare clear, polished guest communications, including Know-Before-You-Go information, event updates, confirmations, and follow‑up correspondence.
  
• Gather and organize guest feedback and operational observations; identify recurring themes and share findings with management to support service enhancements.
• Maintain accurate member and client records, including relevant preferences and service notes, in accordance with privacy expectations and departmental standards.
• Collaborate with Premium Experience colleagues and seasonal team members to promote consistent service standards and a welcoming, inclusive guest experience.
• Participate in event briefings, debriefs, training, and continuous‑improvement activities; contribute ideas that strengthen hospitality delivery and operational efficiency.
• Train and onboard new Premium Experience team members on service protocols, operational procedures, and NYRA's hospitality standards.
  
• Perform other related duties and support special projects as assigned.

Role Scope:

• Performs professional assignments of limited scope using established procedures, service standards, and available resources.
• Applies foundational hospitality knowledge and sound judgment to resolve routine guest needs; seeks guidance when situations are unfamiliar, sensitive, or outside established authority.
• Works independently on clearly defined activities while receiving direction, coaching, and review from the Premium Experience Senior Manager or designated leader.
• Contributes as an individual professional. This role does not have formal people-management accountability, although it may support peer or seasonal‑staff orientation and share process guidance.
• Builds proficiency in NYRA operations, premium hospitality practices, guest communication, and cross‑functional coordination.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Sports Management, Business, Communications, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Up to two years of relevant experience in hospitality, guest services, events, premium seating, restaurants, hotels, resorts, sports, entertainment, or a high‑touch customer environment. Applicable internships or seasonal experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional guest service, discretion, professionalism, and follow‑through.
• Ability to organize multiple priorities, maintain accurate details, and adapt in a fast‑paced, event‑driven environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate confidently with guests and internal partners.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; ability to learn CRM, ticketing, seating, event, and food‑and‑beverage systems.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule based on the racing and event calendar, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, and evenings as operationally required.
• Ability and willingness to work at NYRA venues and support the Saratoga racing season, including travel and temporary work‑location changes as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting VIP, luxury, premium, member, or corporate‑client experiences.
  
• Exposure to event execution, premium dining, catering, ticketing, seating, CRM, or guest‑feedback platforms.
• Additional language proficiency relevant to NYRA’s guests and workforce.

Skills Proficiency: Guest Service & Relationship Building, Event Coordination & Executive, Professional Communication, Problem‑Solving & Service Recovery, Crostt-Function Collaboration, Organization & Detail Management, Adaptability & Composure, Customer Advocacy, Digital & Record Accuracy

Competencies:

• Elevates Everyone’s Experience through meaningful interactions and communication. And, by treating each other with respect and consistently displaying value and appreciation for the contributions of others.
  
• Advances a Culture of Safety and Integrity by acting in the organization’s best interest, adhering to all policies, and upholding ethical standards.
  
• Innovates and adapts by seeking feedback to improve performance, introducing new ideas and solutions to advance the organization.
  
• Shows Pride of Ownership by being accountable for your role and responsibilities, mentoring colleagues, maintaining transparency in all interactions, and sharing your success with everyone involved.
  
• Achieves Excellence by delivering your best effort, demonstrating exceptional leadership attributes, and persevering through challenges.
  
  

Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position operates in a combination of office, hospitality, and event environments and requires frequent walking and standing throughout NYRA venues. Must be able to occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds and work in indoor and outdoor conditions, including varying weather, noise levels, and large crowds. A flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and event days, is required based on racing and operational needs.

Pay Range / Salary:

$27.94-$37.72 per hour