Fall 2026 Executive Communications Internship

SKDKnickerbocker; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 23,419 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wage $18.40

Paid internship

DC office

Job summary

SKDKnickerbocker in Washington, DC is seeking a full-time, paid internship for the Executive Communications team. As an intern, you will research for speeches and op-eds, draft messaging, and participate in on-camera coaching sessions, gaining exposure to high-profile political and policy communications.

You will work closely with colleagues and clients, including elected officials and philanthropists, developing writing and presentation skills in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Habit of consuming large amounts of news and a desire to shape public discourse.
• Experience writing in political campaigns, government, advocacy, media, public affairs, or similar.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and internal communications skills.
• Strong attention to detail in all work outputs.

Responsibilities

• Research persuasive content for client speeches and op-eds.
• Draft background memos to enable team to work effectively.
• Create engaging slide decks and client presentations.
• Assess and refine clients' communications strategy and tone.
• Digest research data and advise on messaging.
• Learn quickly and explain complex topics clearly.
• Copyedit and proofread materials for tone, clarity, and AP style.
• Prepare mock interview scenarios and coach clients during training.

Skills

News analysis

Speech writing

Time management

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

SKDK, an award-winning public affairs and political advertising agency, is seeking an intern to join our D.C. Executive Communications team for a full-time, paid internship. With offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, Albany, and Los Angeles, SKDK brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, labor unions, political committees, and candidates. There is no company that better understands the intersection of press, politics, and policy.

SKDK's Executive Communications practice, led by senior speechwriters to Presidents Biden and Obama, is a unique specialty of our firm. Our message experts help leaders nail the narratives and strengthen the skills they need to succeed in the spotlight. We’ve served as writing partners to high-profile speakers who’ve won the White House, the Nobel Prize, and the trust of their communities. We’ve translated complex ideas into compelling stories on behalf of entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and civil rights champions. We’ve created thought-leadership strategies for CEOs of blue-chip companies, heads of global foundations, and policymakers on the front lines of today’s biggest debates.

At SKDK, we are made whole by the diversity of our team. We are a firm that invites and celebrates the uniqueness of each member of our team and encourages individuals to bring their best selves into the workplace. Whether it is through participating in one of our Employee Resource Groups, serving on our DEI Council, volunteering, or bringing a new perspective to client work, your individuality and experience matters.

As an intern, you will collaborate closely with our colleagues and clients including elected officials and candidates; philanthropists and foundation heads; advocates for causes like racial justice, clean energy, global health, and economic fairness; and executives steering major American brands and innovative startups. You'll research for speeches and op-eds, draft messaging about newsworthy issues, and prepare and participate in on-camera coaching sessions.

Responsibilities

• Researching persuasive and interesting content that makes clients communications concrete and memorable.
• Writing concise, clear background memos that enable our team to do its best work.
• Creating engaging slide decks and presentations tailored to each client.
• Assessing clients' existing communications strategy, tactics, and writing.
• Digesting qualitative and quantitative message research and making recommendations on tone and content.
• Learning new material quickly and communicating complex subject matter in understandable language.
• Copyediting and proofreading written materials to align with message imperatives, tone, clarity, and AP Style.
• Preparing mock interview scenarios and coaching clients during training sessions.

Qualifications

• A habit of consuming tons of news and a desire to change it for the better.
• Writing experience in organizations such as political campaigns, government, issue advocacy groups, media, public affairs agencies, or similar.
• Ability to manage time and responsibilities while working on multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and internal communications skills.
• Attention to detail.

Benefits

SKDK is committed to pay equity. SKDK offers a wage of $18.40 per hour.

Equal Opportunities

SKDK is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any protected category.