Graduate Intern

San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) is seeking a Winter/Spring Intern to support real estate, economic development, and external stakeholder communications. This part-time internship offers hands-on projects and exposure to senior leadership in downtown San Francisco.

Based in San Francisco, the role requires 16-20 hours per week for 10 weeks, with two in-person days at the downtown office.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled MBA, MRED, MUP graduate student or undergraduate senior.
• Interest or experience in urban development, consulting, public sector delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to summarize complex ideas clearly.
• Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Genuine interest in San Francisco civic life and city’s economic recovery.

Responsibilities

• Research downtown SF economic trends and public/private finance tools for planning.
• Analyze real estate to support project evaluation for residential/retail sites.
• Support program operations, track deliverables, and prepare meeting materials.
• Assist with outreach and coordinate communications with applicants and partners.
• Draft memos, updates, social media content, and briefing notes.
• Help plan and execute public-facing events in downtown SF.
• Assist senior staff on special projects as needed.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Strong analytical and problem-solving

Highly organized

Deadline management

Experience with Excel

Education

MBA/MRED/MUP graduate or undergraduate senior

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Winter/Spring Intern

Job Type: Part-Time. 16-20 hours per week for 10 weeks

About Us: The San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) is an innovative independent 501(c)(3) corporation established to mobilize private capital and civic expertise to fund and implement high impact initiatives that jumpstart long-term economic development in downtown San Francisco. We are committed to excellence and are looking for a talented individual to join our team as a Spring Intern. More information can be found at www.sfddc.org .

About the Role: We’re looking for a curious, organized, and motivated undergraduate senior or graduate student to join our team, with a focus on the DDC’s real estate, economic development, and external stakeholder communications. This is a generalist role, as you’ll work across DDC’s programs and get exposure to everything including economic development, real estate research, urban planning and design, communications, and stakeholder coordination. This is a hands‑on, project-based fellowship with direct exposure to senior leadership and cross‑sector stakeholders. No two days will look the same.

Reporting to the Vice President, you’ll provide hands‑on support across DDC’s key initiatives, such as the Strategic Investment Plan, public communications and marketing workstreams, and Real Estate analysis. You’ll be embedded in a small, fast-moving team where your work will have a real and visible impact on San Francisco’s downtown.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and analysis on downtown SF economic trends, peer city initiatives, program benchmarks, and public/private finance tools to inform DDC’s Strategic Investment Plan and overall strategy.
• Conduct real estate analysis to support project evaluation, particularly for residential and retail sites.
• Support day‑to‑day program operations for existing and new grantees, including tracking deliverables, maintaining databases, and preparing materials for meetings and events summarizing impact of programs.
• Assist with outreach and management for DDC’s various programs, helping coordinate communications with prospective applicants and community partners.
• Draft written materials including program memos, stakeholder updates, social media content, presentations, and briefing notes.
• Support planning and execution of public‑facing events and activations in downtown San Francisco.
• Assist senior staff on special projects as needed.

What You’ll Learn

• How a high-impact public‑private organization operates at the intersection of city government, philanthropy, and private capital.
• How to communicate complex civic initiatives to diverse audiences, from donors to community members.
• What it takes to drive economic development in one of the world’s most dynamic and challenging urban environments.

Mentorship & Development:

The intern will be paired with a senior DDC leader for structured check‑ins throughout the internship. Interns will gain direct exposure to urban economic development, civic finance, and cross‑sector partnership management, and will build a network spanning city government, philanthropy, real estate, and the nonprofit sector.

Qualification:

• Current MBA, MRED, MUP Graduate Student OR Undergraduate Senior.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in urban development, consulting, public sector management, philanthropy, startups, or civic/nonprofit program delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at summarizing complex initiatives clearly and persuasively.
• Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable managing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; comfort with data tracking and reporting. Experience utilizing excel.
• A genuine interest in San Francisco, civic life, and contributing to the city’s economic recovery is a must. Prior community involvement, campus leadership, or public service experience is a plus.
• Salary Range: $25-$30 per hour.
• Hands‑on ownership of a high‑profile civic economic development initiative, with real deliverables and measurable outcomes.
• Weekly mentorship from senior DDC leaders.
• Professional development and networking across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Location:

This role will be based in San Francisco, with a minimum of two days per week in‑person at our downtown office, in alignment with the organization’s mission.

Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.