Who We Are
At the National Hot Rod Association, we crave speed. We race the fastest vehicles in motorsports at speeds of more than 300 mph, with power exceeding 11,000 hp—NHRA is the most extreme sport on the planet! At NHRA, we believe in Speed for All, which provides competition opportunities for all drivers, from street-car owners to professional racers. NHRA also offers career-driven opportunities off-track and behind the scenes. We serve content to our highly engaged audiences on-site at events, on the Fox broadcast and Fox Sports networks, at NHRA.com, through our live streaming service NHRA.TV, and within the pages of our publication, National DRAGSTER. Our team supports the infrastructure of local grassroots-level racing all the way up to the professional touring series all across the country, as well as our corporate offices and remote functions. At Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, we host over 170 days of track activity between our famous ¼ mile drag strip and our 7/10-mile oval track.
If you are looking to join a dynamic and high-speed organization in the sports and entertainment space, have the drive to innovate and the satisfaction of seeing your work in action, read on…
The Job
The Graphic Designer will be responsible for conception, creation, development, and production of online and printed advertising and promotional materials for multiple NHRA series events including but not limited to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The position will also play a key role in the creation and maintenance of events, series, and official logos. The position will collaborate with and take design requests from many departments within NHRA and work to achieve brand consistency across all creative platforms.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Creative Development & Brand Management
- Collaborate on creative concept development, illustrations, and designs to inspire, inform, and captivate consumers while maintaining the NHRA brand guidelines
- Produce compelling, creative visual text and imagery concepts that align with NHRA marketing and other department objectives
- Maintain and organize digital asset library and brand resources
- Create and update brand style guides and design templates
- Ensure version control and file management across projects
Design & Production
- Design and conceptualize a variety of projects including both digital and print campaigns, including but not limited to online ad design, email blasts, social media marketing, print brochures, print ads, book layouts, track signage, etc.
- Interpret strategic input and translate into effective visual solutions
- Produce and generate final print- and web-ready files based on specific criteria
- Work with external printers in various markets to analyze quotes and negotiate rates for large-volume and large-scale printing
Digital & Social Media Content
- Create graphics optimized for various social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Design animated graphics and GIFs for social media engagement
- Develop infographics and data visualizations
- Assist with designing enhancements and updates to NHRA's websites
- Develop HTML creative for promotional and automated email marketing and ticketing campaigns
Photography & Image Work
- Photo editing, retouching, and color correction for event and promotional materials
- Coordinate with photographers or select stock imagery for campaigns
- Prepare images for various output formats and resolutions
Merchandising & Event Collateral
- Design merchandise graphics (apparel, hats, promotional items)
- Create credentials, passes, and event signage
- Design sponsorship activation materials and decals
- Assist in the design of both internal and external company presentations and corporate reports, including PowerPoint, PDF, and Google Slide formats
Collaboration & Project Management
- Participate in creative brainstorming sessions and design reviews
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously with varying deadlines
- Provide design support for video production team when needed
- Proof and review designs for accuracy before final production
Event Support
- Provide on-site design support at events when necessary
- Create last-minute or rush materials during race weekends
- Coordinate with event staff on signage placement and specifications
MINIMUM SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
- High School graduate and 4 years of relevant experience or a bachelor's degree in graphic design are required
- 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience in graphic design with an emphasis in digital design, following brand guidelines, and typography techniques is required
- Must be proficient in Apple Mac operating systems
- Must be proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud software (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver)
- Must be proficient in printing processes and pre-press file preparation
- HTML knowledge and writing experience necessary
- Rendering experience is a plus
- Animation and motion graphic experience utilizing After Effects and Premiere is a plus
- Must be proficient in MS Office Suite
- Must be detail oriented, organized, and able to work independently and efficiently to meet deadlines
- Excellent ability to communicate effectively with clients and all levels of management both in writing and verbally
- A background in sports or motorsports racing is a plus
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Able to work at a computer all day
- Ability to talk on the phone as needed
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs
- Ability to travel via air or car as needed to races
- Must be able to work in an outdoor environment in variable weather conditions
**Must submit a portfolio**
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital and/or veteran status, or any other protected class.
