Summer 2027 Internship Program - Executive Search

Egon Zehnder; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

Egon Zehnder invites a paid summer internship offering hands-on exposure to executive search and leadership advisory. The 10-week program runs June through August with opportunities across U.S. offices including Chicago.

Interns work with researchers and consultants on live client assignments, research and search execution, and complete a capstone project. Selected interns will receive structured onboarding, mentorship, and cross-practice shadowing, gaining practical experience in leadership and

Qualifications

• Minimum GPA: 3.3.
• This is a paid internship with U.S. work authorization required.
• Open to current college juniors eligible for Summer 2027.
• Strong research and problem-solving skills are expected.

Responsibilities

• Support research and project execution under guidance of the team.
• Assist with live client assignments, market mapping and candidate identification.
• Prepare internal and client materials, summaries and presentations.
• Collaborate with mentors across research and consulting teams.
• Participate in onboarding, training, and a capstone project.

Skills

Research

Analytical thinking

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Initiative

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

• Program dates: 10 weeks, beginning in June and concluding in August. Exact program dates will be finalized and shared at a later dates.
• Application process: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and internship offers may be extended before the application period closes.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Egon Zehnder's summer internship provides hands-on exposure to executive search and leadership advisory in a collaborative professional-services environment.

Interns join the program as generalists and support live client assignments across industries, functions, and leadership topics. Working alongside researchers and consultants, interns contribute to research and search execution while learning how teams understand companies, assess markets, identify leadership talent, and support clients through complex leadership decisions.

The program combines project work with structured onboarding and training, cross-practice shadowing, and mentorship from both research and consulting colleagues. Interns will also complete a capstone project focused on producing a practical output that can be reused by the firm beyond the summer.

Please note that we are specifically seeking current juniors who will be eligible for a Summer 2027 internship. Opportunities will be available across our U.S. offices, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York, and Washington, DC.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Interns contribute to research, analysis, and project execution under the guidance of the team. Client and candidate relationship ownership remains with Egon Zehnder professionals.

• Support live executive search assignments through company and industry research, market mapping, and candidate identification.
• Help build and refine target-company and candidate lists using firm resources and available research tools.
• Analyze and synthesize information to support search strategy, team discussions, and decision-making.
• Prepare draft internal and client materials, including research summaries, profiles, presentations, trackers, and related documentation.
• Participate in internal search-team discussions and observe selected consultant or client-related conversations when appropriate.
• Work across industries and practice areas, with consideration given to your interests where project needs allow.
• Build relationships with a research mentor, a consulting mentor, and colleagues across the firm.
• Complete structured onboarding and training related to executive search, firm tools, research, search execution, and professional development.
• Complete a capstone project that addresses a real business need and produces a practical, reusable output.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• Intellectual curiosity and an interest in understanding companies, industries, people, and leadership.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication.->Attention to detail and sound judgment when working with confidential information.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across different teams.
• Initiative, professionalism, and comfort working in an environment where every project may be different.
• A willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and learn through both hands-on work and observation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is preferred.

ELIGIBILITY

We are primarily seeking current college juniors who will be entering their senior year after the internship.

• Minimum GPA: 3.3.
• This is a paid internship.
• U.S. work authorization is required.
• Strong performers may be considered for future opportunities based on business needs and role availability.

Visit our website to learn more about Egon Zehnder: https://www.egonzehnder.com/

The compensation for this internship is $25/hour

About Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world’s preeminent leadership advisory firm, inspiring leaders to navigate complex questions with human answers. We help organizations get to the heart of their leadership challenges and offer honest feedback and insights to help leaders realize their true being and purpose.

We are built on a foundation that supports partnership in the truest sense of the word and aligns our interests with the interests of our clients. Our 560 consultants across 64 offices and 36 countries are former industry and functional leaders who collaborate seamlessly across geographies, industries and functions to deliver the full power of the Firm to every client, every time.

We partner closely with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide executive search, leadership solutions, CEO search and succession, and board advisory.

We believe that together we can transform people, organizations and the world through leadership.

Due to high volume, we will only be contacting applicants who meet all of the minimum requirements listed in the job description. Only those applicants who align most closely with our minimum and preferred qualifications will be contacted for an interview. The Recruiting team at Egon Zehnder will retain your application materials and may contact you regarding future opportunities.