Intern, Marketing – Events
Position Details
| Title | Intern, Marketing – Events |
|---|---|
| Company | Sonoma Raceway |
| Function | Marketing |
| Team Leader | Emily Gerhold, Director, Marketing |
| Company Team Leader | Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President & General Manager |
| Functional Team Leader | Geoff Ulrich, Senior Vice President of Marketing |
| FLSA Classification | Non-Exempt |
Why This Position Exists
This position provides seasonal execution support for Sonoma Raceway’s marketing and events function during the company’s highest-demand period. This teammate ensures that fan-facing experiences, grassroots marketing activations, corporate client deliverables, and race weekend logistics are executed at a level that reflects the Sonoma Raceway standard. The position exists because the scope of concurrent campaigns, events, and activation commitments during peak season exceeds what one leader can execute alone while also maintaining strategic focus.
Without this position, the company will reduce or eliminate fan experience elements including Kids Club activations, driver appearances, camper programs, on-site renewal support, and off-site grassroots events. Corporate client activation support will be limited, and the overall quality of the event experience will decline. This directly impacts ticket sales, corporate client value delivery, and the lasting impression fans carry beyond race weekend.
Key Responsibilities
1. Kids Club Program Ownership
Own the Sonoma Raceway Kids Club program from creative development through on-site execution and year-round member engagement. Plan and execute the Kids Club activation during race weekends, coordinate the guest services and brand ambassador team supporting the experience, and maintain consistent communication with members between events.
In this area, this position:
Decides Activation layout, day-of logistics, and Kids Club content schedule
Escalates Budget changes, new program commitments, and external partnership terms to the team leader
Achieve a 10% increase in Kids Club sign-ups during event weekends compared to prior season
Execute Kids Club activation setup on time and without operational issues at every race weekend
Maintain consistent year-round communication with Kids Club members through email, content, and engagement touchpoints
2. Event Execution Support
Support the planning and execution of major race weekends and events, ensuring all marketing and fan-facing elements are delivered at a high level. Serve as a reliable on-site presence who can manage setup, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and execute event-day responsibilities aligned with the overall event plan.
In this area, this position:
Decides On-site execution adjustments within the approved event plan
Escalates Changes to event scope, timing conflicts, or issues affecting the fan experience to the team leader
All marketing and fan-facing event elements are set up correctly and on time for every race weekend
On-site responsibilities are executed without issues requiring escalation
Fan survey scores related to event experience elements remain at or above prior-year levels
3. Marketing Campaign Execution
Support the execution of marketing campaigns across digital, grassroots, and on-site channels. Serve as the point of contact for off-site grassroots activations, including planning, coordination, and execution. Track purchase orders, invoices, and campaign deliverables to ensure campaigns stay organized and on budget.
In this area, this position:
Decides Day-of logistics and coordination for grassroots activations within approved plans
Escalates Budget variances, vendor issues, or scope changes to the team leader
Execute all assigned off-site grassroots events and activations on schedule and within scope
Campaign materials and deliverables completed on time and aligned with campaign timelines
Maintain accurate tracking of purchase orders, invoices, and deliverables with no unresolved discrepancies
4. Fan and Guest Experience
Support on-site execution of fan-facing experiences during events, including guest services, VIP programs, and key activations. Coordinate and execute driver appearances across premium areas, renewal locations, and fan zone stages. Serve as an on-site point of contact for NOAPS autograph sessions and fan zone entertainment, managing COI and invoice documentation.
In this area, this position:
Decides Real-time coordination and sequencing of fan-facing activations within the approved schedule
Escalates VIP guest issues, driver schedule conflicts, or documentation gaps to the team leader
Fan-facing experiences including driver appearances and autograph sessions executed smoothly with no missed commitments
Positive interactions with fans, guests, and corporate clients reflected in on-site observations and post-event perspective
All COIs, invoices, and activation documentation completed accurately and on time
5. Marketing Operations Support
Support the operational side of marketing and events by tracking timelines, deliverables, purchase orders, invoices, and required documentation. Help ensure campaigns, activations, and events stay organized and on track from planning through execution. Contribute to post-event recaps by capturing insights and identifying opportunities to improve future campaigns and event delivery.
In this area, this position:
Decides Organization methods for tracking materials, timelines, and documentation
Escalates Missed deadlines, budget discrepancies, or gaps in documentation to the team leader
All purchase orders, invoices, and campaign deliverables tracked accurately and submitted on time
Timelines, materials, and event details organized in a way that supports seamless execution
Post-event recaps completed with actionable insights that inform improvements to future campaigns
Our Traits in This Position
Humble: Willing to do whatever is needed to get the job done, whether that means supporting high-visibility activations or handling behind-the-scenes details. Open to perspective, adaptable when plans shift, and focused on team success over individual recognition.
Driven: Takes initiative, stays proactive, and follows through on responsibilities without needing constant direction. Maintains a strong work ethic and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and seeing tasks through to completion.
Connected: Builds strong relationships across teams, with corporate clients, and with fans. Communicates clearly and professionally, serves as a reliable point of contact when needed, and represents Sonoma Raceway in a positive and engaging way on-site.
How This Position Supports Our Mission
Our mission is to Exceed Expectations.
Care for Teammates: Ensures the support needed to meet the demands of multiple teams during peak event periods. This position allows for timely, reliable execution across functions so that no single teammate is left unsupported when it matters most.
Be Remarkable: Ensures fan-facing elements—pre-race ceremonies, driver appearances, fan zone activations—are executed at a high level. This position directly impacts how polished and memorable the event feels for fans and corporate clients.
Impact Community: Supports grassroots marketing efforts, local events, and retail visits leading into race weekends, helping drive awareness, ticket sales, and community connection in key markets. Also supports Speedway Children’s Charities programming during event weekends.
Continuously Improve: Allows for better consistency in execution and follow-through, including capturing insights, supporting post-event recaps, and identifying opportunities to improve future campaigns and event delivery.
Growth from This Position
This position develops:
Event planning and execution skills in a live motorsports environment
Cross-functional coordination across marketing, sales, events, and guest services
Project management fundamentals including timeline tracking, vendor coordination, and budget documentation
Professional communication and relationship-building with corporate clients, fans, and internal teams
Grassroots and experiential marketing execution from concept through on-site delivery
These capabilities may support growth into:
Coordinator, Marketing – Events
Coordinator, Marketing – Campaigns
Coordinator, Events – Operations
Marketing or events coordination positions across Speedway Motorsports companies
Requirements
| Education (Required) | Some college courses |
|---|---|
| Education (Preferred) | Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Sport Management, or a related field |
| Experience (Required) | Interest in marketing, events, or sports; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment |
| Experience (Preferred) | Previous internship, campus involvement, or experience in events, marketing, or hospitality |
| Tools / Systems | Microsoft Office |
| Physical Requirements | Able to be on feet for extended periods, lift and move materials, and work outdoors during events |
| Travel | None |
| Work Schedule | Part-time, in office 3–5 days per week, transitioning to extended hours and weekends during event periods |
Equal Employment Opportunity
Speedway Motorsports is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all teammates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with this position. Other duties may be assigned as needed. Speedway Motorsports reserves the right to modify this position description at any time.