Strategic Partnerships Intern

Delta Dental group; Johnston, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Dental of Iowa is seeking a Summer 2027 Strategic Partnerships Intern to support corporate development and process innovation initiatives in Johnston, IA. You will perform market research, data analysis, and assist in deal sourcing while exploring AI and automation applications to streamline workflows.

The role emphasizes hands-on experience across business research, data analytics, project management, and collaboration with experienced professionals to improve decision-making and scalable

Qualifications

• Must be an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in a quantitative or business field.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (verified through transcript).
• Current enrollment in a college or university.
• Strong attention to detail and proficient with Microsoft Excel.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Interest in AI productivity tools to support research and analysis.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Willingness to travel and stay overnight if required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market, industry, and company research to identify strategic partnership opportunities and communicate findings.
• Organize, analyze, and summarize data to support business decisions.
• Gain exposure to merger & acquisition activities, deal sourcing, and the corporate development process.
• Develop analytical, data visualization, and Excel modeling skills.
• Assist in documenting and improving team processes and workflows.
• Research, evaluate, and apply AI, automation, and productivity tools to improve effectiveness.
• Develop project management and organizational skills.
• Represent Delta Dental of Iowa professionally to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Research skills

Communication skills

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student (Data Analytics, Business Analytics, MIS, CS, Finance, Economics, or related field)

Tools

Excel

AI productivity tools

Data analytics tools

Job description

Description

Come Smile with Us!

As a Summer 2027 Strategic Partnerships Intern at Delta Dental of Iowa, you will have a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience supporting corporate development, strategic partnerships, business strategy, and process innovation initiatives. This role combines business research, data analytics, project management, and emerging technology applications to help improve how the team identifies opportunities, evaluates information, and executes work.

Working alongside experienced professionals, you will contribute to market and company research, deal sourcing activities, workflow documentation, and process improvement projects. A focus area will be exploring and applying artificial intelligence, automation, and productivity tools to help streamline work, improve decision‑making, and build scalable processes. The ideal candidate is naturally curious, enjoys solving problems, asks thoughtful questions, and is excited by the intersection of business, technology, and innovation.

This temporary, full-time internship will start on May 19, 2027, and work from our Johnston, Iowa location 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Learn why Kiersten enjoyed being a Delta Dental Intern.

Why Delta Dental of Iowa?

For your smile. For your health. For your community.

At Delta Dental of Iowa, we’re more than just a dental and vision insurance company. Improving health and wellness is at the center of everything we do. As a not‑for‑profit, we aim to build stronger communities by investing in actions that promote and improve health. Delta Dental of Iowa invests 40% of our dollars directly back into the communities we serve.

Come see why we are passionate about "Bringing Smiles" to our customers. Our team enjoys competitive pay and benefits, an awesome "One Team" approach, and a company culture that fosters "Exceptional Quality Service" and "Leadership at All Levels." Together, we can make a difference – not only in Iowa but across the country.

Learning Objectives:

• Conduct market, industry, and company research to support strategic partnership and corporate development opportunities and communicate findings.
• Organize, analyze, and summarize data to support business decisions.
• Gain exposure to merger and acquisition (M&A), deal sourcing, and the corporate development process.
• Develop analytical, data visualization, and advance Excel modeling skills.
• Assist with identifying, documenting, and improving team processes and workflows.
• Research, evaluate, experiment with and apply AI, automation, and other productivity tools to improve team effectiveness.
• Develop project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Engage in programs and networking opportunities to strengthen business acumen in the insurance industry.
• Support internship program by motivating and driving participation among intern peers to fully engage with opportunities available throughout the summer.
• Represent Delta Dental of Iowa in a professional manner both internally and externally.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

1. Must be an undergraduate or graduate student working toward a degree in Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
2. Minimum 3.0 GPA (verified through transcript).
3. Current enrollment in a college or university.
4. Strong attention to detail.
5. Strong with Microsoft programs including Excel.
6. Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
7. Strong research, analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
8. Demonstrated interest in and proficiency with AI productivity tools to support research, analysis, problem-solving, and process improvement.
9. Strong organizational and time management skills.
10. Self-motivated to learn and ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups.
11. Travel and overnight stay may be required.
12. Must have a car, related insurance and valid unencumbered driver’s license.
13. Participants will be required to submit a written analysis of project work and present a summary of analysis to leadership at the end of the program.
14. Freshman and Sophomore candidates will participate in the Insure Your Future program with specific leadership development/networking opportunities.

Delta Dental of Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. It is also the policy of Delta Dental of Iowa to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of their status as individuals with disabilities or protected veterans, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements.