Investment Operations Intern – Infrastructure & Transactions

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship at $20.00 per hour

Professional development opportunities

Networking with professionals in the investment field

Job summary

A distinguished philanthropic organization is seeking an Investment Operations Intern for Summer 2026 in Washington, D.C. This paid internship offers hands-on experience supporting operational activities and documentation. You'll be involved in managing investment workflows, preparing transaction materials, and learning about investment operations. Applicants should be detail-oriented and organized with a background in business administration, finance, or accounting. The internship promotes professional development with real responsibilities and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented and organized, with an interest in investment operations and finance.
• Ability to manage multiple workflows effectively.
• Prior experience with office administration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor the investment operations inbox.
• Assist with preparation of investment cash flows and transaction materials.
• Support performance reporting system maintenance and data validation.
• Assist with expense tracking and budget projections.
• Document workflows related to investment controls and transaction processes.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Organized

Strong written communication skills

Strong verbal communication skills

Customer-service mindset

Collaborative approach

Education

Undergraduate student

Coursework or interest in business administration, finance or accounting

Job description

Knight Foundation is seeking an Investment Operations Intern – Infrastructure & Transactions to join the foundation for Summer 2026. This paid internship offers a hands‑on opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that advances Knight Foundation’s mission to support informed and engaged communities.

In this role, the Investment Operations Intern will support the foundation’s Investment Office with operational, transactional and process documentation work. The intern will contribute to strengthening investment controls, improving transaction workflows and supporting continuity planning within a growing investment operations function.

About Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports a more effective democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once published newspapers. Our approach is inclusive and nonpartisan. We value freedom of speech and the press, and we often embrace new and innovative technology to achieve our goals. Our drive to create positive change is amplified by our ability to collaborate internally and with our partners. We look for authenticity, agility, and accountability, knowing we are at our best when we leverage our collective strengths and experiences. We proactively approach our work with a sense of pride and responsibility–adapting, as needed, to the changing realities in our communities.

About the Internship Program

Knight Foundation internships are for 10 weeks, running from early June through mid-August.

• Pay: $20.00 per hour
• Eligibility: Open to local and non-local students with the legal right to work in the United States.
• Relocation: Interns are responsible for their own travel and housing costs.

Designed as a reciprocal learning experience, Knight Foundation internships provide students with real responsibility, professional development and exposure to the field of philanthropy, while enabling teams to move important projects forward. Interns gain practical skills, confidence and professional networks through project work and organization‑wide programming.

What You’ll Do

Working closely with the Investment Operations team, the intern will support day‑to‑day operational activities while helping document and strengthen core investment processes. Responsibilities include:

• Managing and monitoring the investment operations inbox
• Assisting with preparation of investment cash flows and transaction materials
• Supporting performance reporting system maintenance and data validation
• Assisting with expense tracking and budget projections
• Documenting workflows and steps related to investment controls and transaction processes
• Supporting the development of training materials and guides for investment transaction logistics

What You’ll Produce

By the end of the internship, the intern will have contributed to:

• Transaction‑related documentation and operational materials
• Workflow analyses and documented investment processes
• Training guides that support investment controls, disaster recovery and process continuity
• Demonstrated proficiency in navigating and explaining prescribed investment operations procedures

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the summer, the intern will gain experience in:

• How investment controls and transaction processes are established, implemented and maintained
• The operational mechanics of transacting in traditional and alternative investment assets
• Data integrity, process auditing and operational risk management
• How an institutional investment office collaborates with finance, custodians and external managers

The intern may also have opportunities to:

• Work with Knight Foundation’s Finance and Controller teams
• Visit the foundation’s institutional custodian bank to learn about investment operations within the banking sector
• Visit an alternative asset management office to understand fund management operations and career paths
• Build professional networks with peers and professionals in the investment field

Who Should Apply

We welcome applicants who are detail‑oriented, organized and interested in investment operations and finance.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Undergraduate student
• Coursework or interest in business administration, finance or accounting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail and comfort managing multiple workflows
• Customer‑service mindset and collaborative approach
• Prior experience with office administration is a plus
• Ability to self‑direct, prioritize work and adapt in a dynamic environment

This is an in‑office position located in Washington, D.C.

For more on Knight Foundation, visitkf.org

Knight Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.