Motorsports Operations Manager

Motorsports Operations Manager Plainfield, IN The OpportunityWe are partnering with a growing professional racing organization to hire a Motorsports Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of its racing program.This is a unique opportunity for a strong people leader who enjoys building teams, improving operations, solving problems, and working in a fast-moving, hands-on environment. You'll oversee the team responsible for preparing and maintaining a fleet of racecars, ensuring the organization is ready to perform at test days and race weekends throughout the season.This role combines people leadership, operations management, scheduling, quality control, project execution, resource management, and race-weekend readiness. You'll lead a team of approximately 5-7 employees while managing competing priorities and ensuring the team remains organized, accountable, and prepared.Previous motorsports experience is valuable, but it is not required. The right candidate will bring proven leadership experience, genuine curiosity about racing, comfort working alongside a technical team, and the ability to earn credibility in a hands-on environment. Schedule & TravelThis is an on-site position in the Indianapolis/Plainfield area with meaningful travel alongside the race team.Typical shop schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM-4:30 PMApproximately nine full race weekends anticipated during the 2027 season, plus testing eventsRace weekends typically involve 5-6 days of travel to locations across the U.S.The busiest portion of the racing season generally runs January through AugustWeekend race schedules are balanced with days off before or after eventsThis is professional motorsports, so flexibility is important. When a racecar needs to be completed for an upcoming event, this leader is expected to be alongside the team helping ensure the operation gets across the finish line. What You'll DoLead the TeamLead and coordinate a team of approximately 5-7 employees, establishing clear responsibilities and balancing workloads.Hold regular one-on-one conversations around performance, workload, concerns, and goals.Create accountability while ensuring team members feel heard, supported, and valued.Identify personnel and workload challenges early and address them before they affect performance.Lead by example and remain engaged with the team when deadlines require additional effort.Manage Racing OperationsDevelop and maintain racecar service and preparation schedules around upcoming tests, races, and program commitments.Coordinate labor, priorities, and realistic completion timelines.Ensure cars are completed and inspected with appropriate time ahead of track events.Monitor progress, anticipate delays, and adjust resources as priorities change.Coordinate projects ranging from racecar modifications and prototype components to broader team and equipment needs.Drive Quality & Continuous ImprovementMaintain high standards for quality, reliability, safety, and workmanship.Ensure consistent maintenance procedures, build standards, checklists, and inspection processes across the fleet.Make sure racecars are properly prepared for every test day and race weekend.Identify recurring issues and opportunities to improve efficiency, processes, and quality.Take ownership of the team's overall organization and execution.Lead Through ChangeCommunicate deadlines, priorities, responsibilities, and project updates clearly.Adapt quickly as racing schedules, projects, and operational priorities evolve.Communicate difficult changes constructively, helping the team understand what is changing and what needs to happen next.Maintain team engagement even when changing priorities require work to be adjusted or redone.Remain calm, practical, and solutions-oriented in a high-pressure environment.Manage Resources ResponsiblyMake thoughtful decisions around labor, parts, repairs, maintenance, and other resources.Reduce unnecessary waste and rework without compromising quality, reliability, or safety.Balance operational efficiency with the demands of maintaining properly prepared, competitive racecars. What We're Looking ForRequiredProven people-management or team-leadership experience.Ability to build credibility with a hands-on, technically skilled workforce.Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Experience managing projects, deadlines, and competing priorities.Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.Ability to adapt quickly when priorities change.A high degree of ownership, accountability, and follow-through.Willingness to travel nationwide for racing and testing events.Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.PreferredExperience within motorsports, automotive, mechanical, engineering, manufacturing, fleet, service operations, skilled trades, or another hands-on technical environment.Experience managing mechanics, technicians, skilled trades professionals, or similar teams.Experience improving operational processes, maintenance schedules, procedures, or quality-control practices.Genuine interest in motorsports and professional racing.Technical curiosity and a willingness to learn from subject-matter experts. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Equal Opportunity Notice Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. Representation Notice By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here. Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: · the individual's skill sets, experience and training; · licensure and certification requirements; · office location and other geographic considerations; and · other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).