Senior Director Racing Relations

at Aqueduct

Belmont Park (elmont), New York, United StatesOn-site

Responsibilities

Represent NYRA at industry events, sales, and stakeholder meetings to strengthen brand presence and engagement. Loyalty & Rewards Program Design
Lead the creation (through internal or external means) and execution of a comprehensive NYRA Racing Rewards program focused on participation, performance, and engagement.
Develop a tiered recognition structure that appropriately values participation across key meets (e.g., Saratoga, Belmont Stakes Festival, Belmont Fall/Spring/Winter).
Implement a customer reinvestment (CR) strategy that prioritizes experiential rewards.
Establish theoretical value models to guide reinvestment.
Collaborate with operations, food & beverage, and event teams to deliver best-in-class race day experiences, including stakes days, festivals, and marquee events.
Ensure hospitality offerings reflect participant tiering and loyalty status, reinforcing the value of engagement within the program.
Develop innovative, differentiated experiences (e.g., exclusive access, behind-the-scenes opportunities, concierge services). Data, Analytics & Strategy
Analyze participation trends, horse inventory movement, and competitive landscape to inform strategic decision-making.
Identify opportunities to optimize scheduling, incentives, and engagement strategies based on participant behavior and industry dynamics. Cross-Functional Leadership
Support broader NYRA strategic initiatives, particularly those tied to the opening and success of New Belmont Park.

Requirements

experience in Thoroughbred racing, racing operations, or gaming industry relations.
Deep knowledge of the horse racing or gaming industry and participant/customer needs. Demonstrated
experience designing or managing loyalty, rewards, or customer engagement programs.
Strong analytical skills with a working understanding of customer reinvestment strategy and ROI modeling. Proven leadership
experience managing cross-functional initiatives and teams. Preferred:
Experience in gaming, hospitality, or sports environments with exposure to loyalty program design.
Familiarity with CRM systems and data analytics platforms.

Additional details

Title: Senior Director Racing Relations Employee Status: Regular Full Time Work From Home Option: Not Applicable FLSA Status: Exempt Job Overview: The Senior Director of Racing Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for transforming NYRA’s engagement with racing participants—owners, trainers, and jockeys—into a best-in-class, data-driven relationship model.

In addition to leading NYRA’s interaction with racing participants throughout the world, this role will design, implement, and continuously refine an industry-leading recognition program that mirrors best practices from casino, airline and other highly competitive industry loyalty ecosystems, while remaining tailored to the unique dynamics of thoroughbred racing.

The position assists in the delivery of high-touch hospitality experiences at New Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, ensuring that NYRA participants feel valued, prioritized, and deeply connected to the organization.

Blending industry expertise, relationship management, and customer reinvestment strategy, the Senior Director will serve as a key architect in elevating NYRA’s competitive position and strengthening long-term participation across its racing circuits.

Essential Functions: Participant Relations & Industry Engagement

Serve as NYRA’s senior relationship lead for owners, trainers, and jockeys, fostering strong, trust-based partnerships.

Leverage deep industry knowledge and established connections to enhance recruitment, retention, and overall participant satisfaction.

Act as a key liaison between racing participants and NYRA leadership, ensuring alignment of interests and proactive issue resolution.

Continuously evaluate program effectiveness using KPIs such as participation growth, retention, and incremental contribution. Hospitality & Experience Delivery

Work with the Premium Services team on the design and execution of premium hospitality offerings for racing participants at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

Senior Director Racing Relations

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