New Business (Business Development) Internship - Winter/Spring '27

APCO; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop

Hybrid work environment

Paid internship

Job summary

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates for a full-time paid internship program in Washington, DC. Interns will gain on-the-job training across client services, design, global marketing, or new business development, participating in team meetings and contributing ideas while supporting client work and firm growth.

The internship sits with the Global New Business team in APCO's Washington, DC office. Interns work about 40 hours/week, with hybrid and flexible arrangements and a provided laptop

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or senior in class standing.
• Excellent written and oral communication; able to balance multiple work streams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset in a fast-paced environment; detail oriented and collaborative.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; Excel and PowerPoint; able to layout and create charts/graphics.
• US work authorization required; CPT/OPT/Post-OPT not eligible.

Responsibilities

• Assist with development of proposals, pitch materials, capabilities presentations, and other assets to support client acquisition.
• Track and maintain new business opportunities; coordinate information across APCO teams.
• Conduct background research on prospective clients and challenges faced.
• Analyze public affairs, communications, and industry developments to identify opportunities and support growth initiatives.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Recent college graduate or senior in class standing

Job description

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full-time, paid internship program. Our interns will experience on-the-job training in client services, design, global marketing, or new business development and are involved in a wide variety of daily client account activities. Interns are treated as professional staff, participate in team meetings and actively contribute ideas, and support the overall management and growth of client work and the firm.

This internship will sit with our Global New Business team out of APCO's Washington, DC office.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development of proposals, pitch materials, capabilities presentations, and other business development assets to support client acquisition efforts
• Track and maintain new business opportunities, helping to coordinate information, timelines, and submissions across APCO teams
• Conduct background research on prospective clients and the challenges faced
• Analyze public affairs, communications, and industry developments to identify potential opportunities and provide insights to support growth initiatives

Qualifications:

• Recent college graduate or senior in class standing
• The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, comfortable in a fast-paced environment, able to operate independently, possess strong attention to detail and strong collaborative skills
• Applicants are expected to have excellent written and oral communication skills and experience successfully balancing multiple work streams
• Streamlined critical thinking skills and exceptionally organized
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint; specifically, layout and creation of charts and graphics
• Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status

What are the core working hours and will I need to be in an office?

Our interns work between 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We are committed to a hybrid and flexible working environment, and there may be days that you wish to work from home and days that we come together so that you get to explore more of our culture and meet other colleagues. You will be provided with a company laptop so that you are able to work from home and in the office easily.

Compensation:

This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $18.40

When is the closing date for applications?

Applications will close on Friday, October 2nd.

When does the internship commence?

Our intern program begins on Tuesday, January 12th and ends on Friday, May 21st 2027.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.