Administrative Services Intern

MacArthur Foundation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

MacArthur Foundation in Chicago is offering an Administrative Services Intern position for Summer 2027. The internship provides hands-on exposure to workplace operations, travel, and sustainability initiatives within a collaborative, office-based environment.

Based in Chicago with a hybrid schedule (four in-office days and one virtual day). You will create engaging content, support policy communication, and assist with storage, events, and building operations while learning through practical

Qualifications

• Must be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior student.
• Interest in business administration, workplace operations, facilities management, sustainability, communications, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, customer-service, and problem-solving skills.
• Creativity and an interest in developing short videos and other educational content.
• Ability to collaborate across teams, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail and willingness to learn new systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to projects involving workplace services, corporate travel, emergency preparedness, internal communications, employee engagement, and process improvement.
• Translating workplace policies and procedures into clear, engaging content.
• Develop short training videos or reels on topics such as business travel, emergency evacuations, sustainability, and workplace resources.
• Assist with research, concept development, scriptwriting, coordinating participants, filming, and editing.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Building on sustainability initiatives, including evaluating potential pathways toward LEED certification and helping identify practical next steps.
• Additional assignments will reflect building priorities and may include accessibility initiatives, capital projects, tenant improvements, leasing, tenant relations, and analysis of building operations and performance.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Customer-service

Video/content creation

Team collaboration

Detail-oriented

Tools

Microsoft Office

Video editing

Graphic design

Job description

Job Description NOTE: To ensure a fair and equitable recruitment process, our Foundation Staff and Board do not host preliminary conversations with applicants outside of our standard interview process.

Position: Administrative Services Intern - Summer 2027

Reports to: Manager, Administrative Services

Location: Chicago, IL

Duration: June 8 - August 11, 2027

Compensation: Paid Internship (Hourly rates will start at $22.00/hour)

About the Foundation

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.

About Administrative Services and Office of the Building

The Administrative Services team oversees workplace services, corporate travel, visitor services, emergency preparedness, and other programs that support the Foundation’s day-to-day operations. The Office of the Building manages the operation, maintenance, tenant services, and long-term sustainability of the Marquette Building. Together, the teams provide a safe, welcoming, and well-run environment for employees, tenants, and visitors.

About the Internship

The Administrative Services Internship offers a creative, hands-on opportunity to learn how workplace operations support employees and advance the Foundation’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to projects involving workplace services, corporate travel, emergency preparedness, internal communications, employee engagement, and process improvement.
• Translating workplace policies and procedures into clear, engaging content.
• Develop short training videos or reels on topics such as business travel, emergency evacuations, sustainability, and workplace resources.
• Assist with research, concept development, scriptwriting, coordinating participants, filming, and editing.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Building on sustainability initiatives, including evaluating potential pathways toward LEED certification and helping identify practical next steps.
• Additional assignments will reflect building priorities and may include accessibility initiatives, capital projects, tenant improvements, leasing, tenant relations, and analysis of building operations and performance.

Qualifications

• Must be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior student.
• Interest in business administration, workplace operations, facilities management, sustainability, communications, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, customer-service, and problem-solving skills.
• Creativity and an interest in developing short videos and other educational content.
• Ability to collaborate across teams, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail and willingness to learn new systems and processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with video editing, graphic design, or digital storytelling is helpful but not required.

This internship is based in Chicago, Illinois. The Administrative Services work environment is hybrid with four designated in-office days and one virtual day. Interns will be required to reside in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the program. Housing assistance for non-local students may be available and will be discussed during the interview process.

Work Environment and Reasonable Accommodations

The work environment is an office setting. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Additional Foundation Information

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.

NOTE: To ensure a fair and equitable recruitment process, our Foundation Staff and Board do not host preliminary conversations with applicants outside of our standard interview process.