About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

Join us at the Urban Institute for a dynamic internship opportunity on our Marketing Communications team. Situated in Urban’s Communications Department, this team is responsible for promoting Urban’s research and experts and encouraging audiences to engage with our organization.

As an intern, you'll have an opportunity to work closely with the Senior Manager of Marketing Communications and collaborate with colleagues leading Urban’s social media, events, and stakeholder outreach efforts. This internship will not only immerse you in brand marketing planning and execution on a daily basis and for longer, high-profile campaigns; it will also expose you to the functions of a 70-plus-member communications department for one of the country’s leading research organizations. And your work with us will be essential: It will have an impact on the way audiences across the country engage with Urban, including how they understand the value of our research and how they can use it to help improve the well-being of people and communities.

What You’ll Do:

As a Marketing Communications intern, you’ll play a vital role in supporting diverse marketing efforts in a fast-paced environment. While specific projects may vary based on organizational needs, you can expect to:

• Assist with identifying, writing, and promoting short brand stories about how Urban’s work is making a difference in people’s lives and communities.
  
• Help to maintain Urban’s brand and audience engagement calendar by identifying relevant upcoming products—from blog posts to research reports and data tools—for promotion.
  
• Assist with crafting marketing campaign messages and social media stories aligned with Urban’s strategic impact objectives.
  
• Collaborate with our Social Media Manager to develop social media guides for high-priority event speakers and where necessary, social media posting.
  
• Play a role in developing and executing marketing campaigns for high-priority launches, research products, and events.
  
• Contribute your creative ideas to the Marketing Communications team’s strategies and tactics.
  
• Be exposed to other opportunities to engage Urban’s external audiences, including through newsletters, direct marketing to key stakeholders, and media outreach.

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will:

• Be a rising junior or senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a relevant field such as marketing, digital communications, journalism, or public relations.
  
• Demonstrate strong writing and oral communication skills.
  
• Possess the ability to understand and translate complex, technical research findings into accessible, engaging messages for a range of audiences.
  
• Be a creative thinker and intellectually curious.
  
• Have an idea of what makes content compelling—whether it’s a 200-character social media post or a short story.
  
• Demonstrate a keen attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  
• Display strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment to achieve common goals.
  
• Have the ability to juggle different tasks and adapt when project or team needs shift.
  
• Exhibit an interest in inclusive and equity-focused communications practices through previous experience or coursework—a plus, but not required.

Program Highlights:

• 10-week paid internship; full-time preferred, but strong candidates will be considered for part-time positions
• Internship program designed to provide students interested in research, public policy issues, and organizational operations with rewarding and substantive work assignments that contribute to Urban’s mission
• Intern Program Dates: June 10th to August 16th 2024
• Participate in our New Intern “Welcome” Orientation
• Network with Operations Staff, Senior Professionals, and others who will support your professional growth and career interests
• Participate in intern-specific workshops and networking events designed to advance your professional development and build your soft skills
• Engage in team-building activities that forge new friendships with other Urban Interns
• Receive informal feedback and mentoring from your intern manager
• Present the value of your contribution and what you learned during our End of Summer Lightning Talks

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.