Business Engagement Intern

Downtown San Diego Partnership; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Bi-Weekly Paychecks

Discounted Parking Allotment OR MTS 21

5 days of Paid Sick Time annually

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Downtown San Diego Partnership in Downtown San Diego is seeking a Business Engagement Intern to support outreach, board meeting prep, and event planning. The role offers hands-on experience in urban development and nonprofit governance within a dynamic district.

The position is part-time (10 hours/week), non-exempt, paid at $18/hour, with background and reference checks. Join a team committed to community engagement and local economic vitality.

Qualifications

• Active enrollment or recent graduate in a relevant field.
• Interest in community nonprofits and urban development.
• Ability to coordinate outreach and events with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support business outreach and promotion of access to capital via loans and grants.
• Prepare agendas and minutes for BID board meetings; assist communication among members.
• Plan and promote programs and events for the business community.
• Provide administrative support including data entry, analysis, and reporting.

Skills

Business outreach

Event planning

Data analysis

Communication

Organization

Education

Enrollment in Urban Planning/Public Administration/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Title: Business Engagement Intern

Reports to: Director of Business Development

FLSA Status: Part-time (10 hours/week), Non-exempt (hourly)

Pay: $18/hour

Location: Downtown San Diego area

• This position is subject to a background and reference check. DSDP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.*

Why this job? Total Rewards Package

Join one of the San Diego Tribune's 2023-2025 Top Workplaces!

• Bi-Weekly Paychecks
• Discounted Parking Allotment OR MTS Transit Pass (only $21 per month)
• 5 days of Paid Sick Time annually
• Employee Assistance Program

Position Summary

The City Center Business Improvement District (BID) is seeking a dynamic intern to support the team in managing and enhancing the business environment within Downtown San Diego. This role will focus on business outreach, BID board meeting preparation, and event and program planning, providing a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in urban development, community engagement, and nonprofit governance.

**Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all the activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. **

Essential Job Functions & Duties

• Business Outreach: Assist in engaging with local businesses with the promotion of access to capital via loans and grants, gathering feedback, and fostering relationships within the district. Help coordinate and track outreach efforts, sharing biweekly community outreach updates with our community partner, Civic Communities.
• BID Board Meeting Preparation: Support the preparation and organization of BID board meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and facilitating communication between board members.
• Program Planning: Assist in planning and executing programs that benefit the business community. Help with logistics, promotion, and follow-up for programs such as networking sessions, community programs, and community workshops.
• Administrative Support: Provide administrative support for BID initiatives, including data entry, analysis, and reporting. Coordinate with other divisions of the Downtown Partnership and city agencies.
• Community Engagement: Participate in community meetings and represent the BID at various events to maintain a strong presence in the community. Other tasks may be assigned depending on interest and capacity

Preferred Skills

• Ability to coordinate tasks and projects and provide timely and clear updates to supervisors.
• Analyzing and visualizing data.
• Established interest in community nonprofits, community-based planning and organizing, and local economic and neighborhood development issues.
• Interest with Downtown San Diego and neighborhoods, and/or working with local small business communities, and urban planning
• Interest in program management and administration
• Familiarity in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Core Attributes

• Team Player
• Organized
• Entrepreneurial
• Detail oriented
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

About The Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the principal voice and driving force behind the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego through membership, advocacy, public services, and community investment. The organization’s nearly 300 members, representing a variety of business sectors including real estate, technology, banking, law, defense, insurance, communications, energy, and tourism are committed to nurturing a Downtown that benefits the entire San Diego region.

It also serves as the managing organization for several special districts and charitable foundations including the Property and Business Improvement District otherwise known as Clean & Safe which provides essential public services in the 275 blocks of Downtown. Through these programs, we have provided enhanced services in maintenance, safety, beautification, and homeless outreach, supported business promotion and retention, and improved the quality of life on behalf of Downtown’s neighborhoods for more than 20 years. In all, these programs provide an annual contractual budget of approximately $13 million annually. To learn more about our work in these areas, please visit: downtownsandiego.org.

Our Values

Deliver excellent service: We strive to provide exceptional customer service through listening to our customers, providing efficient services, and innovative solutions resulting in value for our many stakeholders.

Be fun and open-minded with a quirky sense of creativity: We work hard but take time to celebrate our collective achievements and realize there's always more than one perspective to consider when approaching a challenge.

Pursue growth and learning: We invest in our people so they can continue to build skills and perspectives that enrich the work we do.

Build honest relationships and communication: We believe honesty leads to strong relationships built on a foundation of trust.

Nurture a safe work environment: We have a collective commitment to emphasize safety over competing goals to ensure the protection of people and our environment.

Inclusiveness and diversity: We honor the inherent value of every individual’s unique story, experience, and perspective. We strive to amplify the voices of our staff, community, and stakeholders and to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can contribute one’s authentic self.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the Downtown San Diego Partnership, we are an organization that attracts and empowers diversity throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the whole person and the lived experience that makes each of us unique. We strive to foster a safe environment, both internally within our organization and externally towards the communities we engage with, in which we encourage all voices to be heard and amplified as needed. We know our strengths come from championing our differences and acknowledge that each person deserves a voice and a seat at the table. Our ability to feel or be united through inclusion will result in better discussions, decisions, and outcomes that will allow us to advance the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego.