VP, Sr Account Director - Motorsports

Circa - IPG DXTRA•Detroit, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The VP, Sr Account Director (experiential) for our Motorsports team is a highly visible, strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing integrated motorsports marketing programs for a premier automotive client, with a strong emphasis on NASCAR, INDYCAR and IMSA racing series. Part operational lead, part strategist, part producer, and part trusted advisor, this role drives end-to-end planning and execution of immersive motorsports experiences, hospitality programs, display properties, and integrated brand activations. This leader positions the agency as an indispensable strategic partner—bringing forward innovative ideas, operational excellence, and flawless execution while inspiring confidence among senior client stakeholders, racing partners, and internal teams.

Requirements

10 to 15+ years of experiential marketing and client services experience.
Deep understanding of the motorsports landscape, particularly NASCAR, INDYCAR and/or IMSA racing and sponsorship management strongly preferred.
10+ years of staff and project supervisory experience.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong partnerships across clients, racing teams, vendors, and agency stakeholders.
Strong presentation, negotiation, budget management and executive communication skills.
Exceptional organizational and project management capabilities.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, high-visibility programs under tight timelines.
Willingness to travel up to 35%, including frequent event weekends and multi-day trips.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary senior point-of-contact for motorsports client.
Direct overall strategy and creative development and tactical rollout across motorsports properties.
Act as a trusted advisor, deeply understanding the client’s business objectives, competitive landscape, and growth strategies.
Develop forward-thinking ideas, concepts, and solutions that positively impact the client’s business and strengthen agency partnership.
Lead planning and execution of key internal and external presentations to stakeholders including executives, racing teams, governing bodies, and cross-functional client groups (e.g., ADIs, Communications, Loyalty programs).
Ensure clear communication around scope, budget, timelines, roles, and deliverables.
Identify and manage out-of-scope opportunities as strategic growth initiatives.
Provide day-to-day oversight of motorsports race series activities including:
Business process controls
Contracting
Ticket fulfillment and tracking
Vehicle coordination
Compliance requirements
Lead agency execution on-site for race weekends and major events (e.g., Daytona activations, INDY 500, marquee races).
Oversee national and regional integration of motorsports programming, including:
Driver introductions
Hospitality experiences
Dealer activations
Loyalty and engagement programs
Coordinate immersive experiential programs at motorsports events, ensuring seamless collaboration across agency strategy, creative, production, and analytics.
Drive collaboration with external partners including tours, tracks, governing bodies, racing teams, and agency partners.
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing motorsports team, including direct management of junior staff.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and positive team culture.
Oversee budget development, management, reconciliation, and client reporting across motorsports programs.
Ensure efficient allocation of agency resources.
Ensure motorsports programming clearly supports client business imperatives.
Deliver flawless execution that exceeds client expectations and strengthens long-term partnerships.