Churchill Downs Racetrack
Senior Mgr, Social Media
Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT") is the world’s legendary racetrack, home of The Kentucky Derby since 1875. Located in Louisville, KY, CDRT features a 1‑mile dirt track, a 7/8‑mile turf track, and seats approximately 60,000 guests. CDRT also operates a year‑round simulcast wagering facility. https://www.churchilldowns.com.
Requisition ID:
2585 Location:
Louisville, KY, 40208 Property:
Churchill Downs Racetrack
Job Summary:
Churchill Downs Racetrack is seeking a Senior Manager of Social Media to lead the execution and optimization of social media strategy for both the Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby brands. This role requires a proactive organizer, a charismatic people leader, and a strategic thinker who excels in using analytics to guide performance‑driven storytelling.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Lead the implementation of social media strategies aligned with the Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby brand goals and the fan engagement lifecycle.
Develop, oversee, and maintain a detailed social content calendar that reflects major brand moments, trends, cultural tentpoles, and evergreen storytelling.
Work cross‑departmentally to coordinate content initiatives with ticketing, partnerships, racing, and community teams.
Provide clear leadership and mentorship to direct reports, freelancers, or agency partners involved in content production.
Oversee the creation, curation, and publication of social content across platforms (Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest).
Proactively manage workflows, deadlines, and approvals for a high‑volume content schedule.
Monitor social platforms in real time, engaging directly with fans to foster community, respond to fan sentiment, and elevate the brand's voice.
Use tools such as Sprout Social, Google Analytics, and native insights to report on KPIs, distill performance data, and make data‑informed recommendations.
Champion platform innovation and stay current on social trends, platform updates, and emerging content formats.
Collaborate with internal content creators and external agencies, ensuring content is on‑brand and optimized for each platform’s unique audience and tone.
Identify and capitalize on key moments throughout the racing calendar that support year‑round brand relevance and revenue goals.
Build presentations and performance reports for internal stakeholders and leadership.
Support Derby Week and live event coverage, including on‑site social content management, real‑time storytelling, and influencer coordination.
Required Skills And Abilities Proactive Organizer
Manages multiple projects with confidence and structure.
Builds repeatable processes and timelines across brand moments and campaigns.
Anticipates needs and resolves issues before they become bottlenecks.
People‑First Leader
Brings positive energy, relationship‑building skills, and the ability to interface with diverse internal teams and external partners.
Provides mentorship and inspires others to do their best work.
Thrives in cross‑functional collaboration and influences without ego.
Strategic Executor
Balances storytelling and business objectives to deliver results.
Reads and interprets analytics with ease, making performance‑driven decisions.
Delivers creative solutions based on clear insights.
Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or equivalent experience.
4‑6 years in professional social media marketing with a proven track record managing brand accounts.
Experience leading and managing a team of content creators or social contributors.
Demonstrated understanding of the sports, live events, or equine industries (preferred but not required).
Expertise in social platforms including X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Proficiency in analytics tools (Sprout Social, Google Analytics, native platform insights).
Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to match brand voice and tone.
Flexible schedule including ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during Derby Week and live racing seasons.
Ability to work on‑site at Churchill Downs and travel as needed.
Must successfully pass a background check.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Churchill Downs Incorporated is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Marketing and Sales
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Requisition ID:
2585 Location:
Louisville, KY, 40208 Property:
Churchill Downs Racetrack
Job Summary:
Churchill Downs Racetrack is seeking a Senior Manager of Social Media to lead the execution and optimization of social media strategy for both the Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby brands. This role requires a proactive organizer, a charismatic people leader, and a strategic thinker who excels in using analytics to guide performance‑driven storytelling.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Lead the implementation of social media strategies aligned with the Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby brand goals and the fan engagement lifecycle.
Develop, oversee, and maintain a detailed social content calendar that reflects major brand moments, trends, cultural tentpoles, and evergreen storytelling.
Work cross‑departmentally to coordinate content initiatives with ticketing, partnerships, racing, and community teams.
Provide clear leadership and mentorship to direct reports, freelancers, or agency partners involved in content production.
Oversee the creation, curation, and publication of social content across platforms (Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest).
Proactively manage workflows, deadlines, and approvals for a high‑volume content schedule.
Monitor social platforms in real time, engaging directly with fans to foster community, respond to fan sentiment, and elevate the brand's voice.
Use tools such as Sprout Social, Google Analytics, and native insights to report on KPIs, distill performance data, and make data‑informed recommendations.
Champion platform innovation and stay current on social trends, platform updates, and emerging content formats.
Collaborate with internal content creators and external agencies, ensuring content is on‑brand and optimized for each platform’s unique audience and tone.
Identify and capitalize on key moments throughout the racing calendar that support year‑round brand relevance and revenue goals.
Build presentations and performance reports for internal stakeholders and leadership.
Support Derby Week and live event coverage, including on‑site social content management, real‑time storytelling, and influencer coordination.
Required Skills And Abilities Proactive Organizer
Manages multiple projects with confidence and structure.
Builds repeatable processes and timelines across brand moments and campaigns.
Anticipates needs and resolves issues before they become bottlenecks.
People‑First Leader
Brings positive energy, relationship‑building skills, and the ability to interface with diverse internal teams and external partners.
Provides mentorship and inspires others to do their best work.
Thrives in cross‑functional collaboration and influences without ego.
Strategic Executor
Balances storytelling and business objectives to deliver results.
Reads and interprets analytics with ease, making performance‑driven decisions.
Delivers creative solutions based on clear insights.
Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or equivalent experience.
4‑6 years in professional social media marketing with a proven track record managing brand accounts.
Experience leading and managing a team of content creators or social contributors.
Demonstrated understanding of the sports, live events, or equine industries (preferred but not required).
Expertise in social platforms including X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Proficiency in analytics tools (Sprout Social, Google Analytics, native platform insights).
Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to match brand voice and tone.
Flexible schedule including ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during Derby Week and live racing seasons.
Ability to work on‑site at Churchill Downs and travel as needed.
Must successfully pass a background check.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Churchill Downs Incorporated is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Marketing and Sales
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