Racing Relations Associate

Title: Racing Relations Associate Employee Status: Regular Full Time Work From Home Option: Hybrid - 2 Days/Week (40% Remote) FLSA Status: Exempt Job Overview The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is looking for a passionate and driven, Racing Relations Specialist to join our team. This role will serve as a primary point of contact for all racing participants, including owners, trainers, jockeys and industry stakeholders. At the center of the racing community, this position will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships that promote a positive and professional race-day environment. The ideal candidate will be confident engaging with high-end clientele and thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment to ensure seamless daily operations. The Racing Relations Specialist will work closely with the organization to help implement projects, initiatives, and processes in support of an enhanced, best-in-class Racing Relations program. This is an exciting opportunity to combine a passion for horse racing, a unique ability to form impactful relationships, and the opportunity to help shape the future of the Racing Relations program with the reopening of the new Belmont Park. Essential Functions Serve as a primary link between NYRA and racing participants, fostering strong, professional relationships across all levels of the backstretch and racing community Provide daily support to horse men and women to ensure smooth and seamless communication regarding ticket requests, on and off-track accommodations, and the timely delivery of trophies Deliver personalized customer service to owners, trainers, and jockeys, ensuring their needs are anticipated and met Attend race days to enhance the participant experience and elevate NYRA’s reputation as a premier racing circuit Support efforts to attract new participants to NYRA and retain existing horsemen through relationship-driven engagement Assist with trophy orders and organizing trophy presentations for all winning connections Collaborate with internal teams to deliver marketing communications and updated website resources to assure effective messaging to all current and future racing participants Aid in building relationships with transportation, hotel, and retail vendors to better serve guests and meet deadlines to enhance overall experience Identify and resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently without escalation Support the Racing Relations department with the development of policies and procedures aiming to consistently exceed expectations Work closely with Senior Management and cross-functional teams to deliver a new rewards program focused on customer incentives Act as a resource in gathering customer feedback through online surveys, questionnaires, and email campaigns, striving to understand customer needs Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in racing, hospitality, or a related field 2–5 years of experience in horse racing operations, participant relations, hospitality, or a similar customer-facing role Strong understanding of the thoroughbred racing industry preferred Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders Highly organized with strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, including weekends and race days Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment This position is primarily sedentary and in an office environment but may require walking outdoors and assisting with trophy presentation. The incumbent should be able to lift up to 10 lbs. Pay Range / Salary: $66,300.00 - $80,600.00 #J-18808-Ljbffr