Director, State Breeder & Provincial Programs

Company Overview

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for Thoroughbreds in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and directly or through subsidiaries, it serves the information and technology needs of the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as the Director of State Breeder & Provincial Programs. In this pivotal role, you will serve as a key liaison between The Jockey Club, state breeder and provincial organizations, and government stakeholders across the United States and Canada. This role leads the evaluation, analysis, research, and strategic development of breeding incentive programs with a focus on strengthening the Thoroughbred foal crop and supporting the long-term health of the industry.

The position requires a data-driven leader with deep knowledge of the equine industry, strong relationship management skills, and the ability to translate complex program data into actionable insights for industry stakeholders, legislators, and executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Industry & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between The Jockey Club, state breeder organizations, provincial programs (Canada), and government entities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with program administrators, industry groups, and state legislators
• Represent The Jockey Club at industry meetings, conferences, and legislative discussions
• Conduct regular on-site and virtual meetings with state and provincial programs

Program Evaluation & Analysis

• Evaluate breeder incentive programs across all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces
• Research and analyze program rules, regulations, funding structures, and effectiveness
• Identify trends across programs and assess their impact on breeding activity and foal crop outcomes
• Conduct surveys of state and provincial programs to collect insights on operations, compliance, and effectiveness

Strategic Development

• Develop and recommend strategies to improve breeder programs and strengthen the Thoroughbred foal crop
• Provide data-backed guidance on program enhancements, regulatory updates, and funding optimization
• Partner with stakeholders to drive adoption of best practices across jurisdictions

Data, Reporting & Insights

• Examine and analyze foal crop data nationwide and in Canada to identify trends and opportunities
• Design and produce custom reports, dashboards, and analytical tools to support decision-making
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences

Presentations & Executive Communication

• Prepare and deliver presentations to The Jockey Club Board, executive management, and industry groups
• Communicate findings, trends, and strategic recommendations clearly and effectively
• Support internal leadership with briefing materials on state and provincial program developments

Qualifications

Required

• 5–10 years of experience in the equine industry, Thoroughbred sector strongly preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of state breeder programs and/or incentive funding structures
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including industry organizations and government entities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience interpreting complex data sets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation experience

Preferred

• Direct experience working with breeder or incentive programs
• Experience engaging with state legislators or regulatory bodies
• Familiarity with data visualization tools and dashboard development

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and program evaluation
• Relationship management and stakeholder influence
• Data analysis and reporting
• Public speaking and executive communication
• Project management and organizational skills

Working Conditions

• Travel required, including visits to state and provincial program offices and attendance at industry events
• Hybrid or office-based work environment in Lexington, Kentucky preferred

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Describe your knowledge of state breeder programs and/or incentive funding structures? Also explain how you have been involved in the past with these programs.

Experience:

• equine industry: 5 years (Required)
• Analysis skills: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lexington, KY 40503