Racing Relations Associate
- Belmont Park (Elmont), New York
- Operations
- Racing
- Regular Full Time
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 retails vendors to better serve guests and meet deadlines to enhance overall experience
- Identify and resolves 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 operates in a professional office environment as well as throughout NYRA racetrack and race-day facilities. While a portion of the role is sedentary and involves regular use of a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment, the position requires frequent interaction with racing participants and may involve moving between offices, hospitality areas, racing facilities, and other on-site locations in support of daily and race-day activities.
The employee must be able to sit and stand for varying periods; walk throughout racetrack facilities, including both indoor and outdoor areas; and occasionally navigate stairs, uneven walking surfaces, and areas with significant pedestrian activity. Race-day responsibilities may require extended periods of standing and walking while assisting owners, trainers, jockeys, guests, and other racing stakeholders.
The position may require assisting with trophy presentations and related race-day activities, including handling, carrying, positioning, or transporting lightweight presentation materials. The employee must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds.
Because responsibilities extend beyond a traditional office setting, the employee may occasionally work outdoors and be exposed to seasonal weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, rain, and direct sunlight. The racetrack environment may also include periods of elevated noise, crowds, horses and racing-related activity, and increased movement during live racing and special events.
The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically with racing participants, internal teams, vendors, and other stakeholders. The employee must also be able to remain attentive, responsive, and professional in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment where priorities and operational needs may change throughout the day.
The work schedule may include weekends and race days, consistent with NYRA's racing schedule and operational needs. The position follows a hybrid work arrangement; however, on-site presence is required when necessary to support racing operations, participant relations, events, and other departmental responsibilities.
Pay Range / Salary: $66,300.00 - $72,000.00/annually
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NYRA BETSNYRA 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.
About Us:
With a lineage of nearly 150 years, The New York Racing Association (NYRA) serves as the cornerstone of New York State's thoroughbred industry at three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course). The industry contributes more than $3 billion annually to its urban, suburban, and rural economy. NYRA also offers a variety of exciting career opportunities – on and off the track. From Finance to Facilities, Turf to Technology, in all departments we are stewards of our sport. Join our talented team of professionals.
NYRA is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with federal, state, and local anti - discrimination laws. NYRA values diversity and complies with New York State and New York City law, which prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee, applicant for employment, or intern based on race, age, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, gender identity / expression and transgender status), national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including predisposing genetic characteristics), age (18-years-of-age & up), veteran status, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, partnership status, unemployment status, certain arrest or conviction records and domestic or sexual violence victim status. NYRA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on an employee’s membership in one or more of these protected categories, an employee’s known relationship or association with a member of one or more of these protected categories, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Visit us at NYRA.com to learn more!
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State’s horse racing industry, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact.
