Internal Communications & Operations Intern (Spring 2025)

Third Way is a national think tank that was founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security.

We are proud of the organization that we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.

Third Way's Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) Program is looking for a smart, creative, and enthusiastic person to work side-by-side with Third Way staff to cultivate and maintain Third Way’s culture of learning and belonging. The Internal Communications & Operations Internship offers hands-on experience at the intersection of organizational communications strategy and program design. Examples of our impact include:

• Third Way University: Our in-house professional development program which meets staff needs at all levels of skills building.

• All-Staff Retreat: A two-day gathering hosted offsite for staff to connect with each other, learn about the programs, and understand Third Way’s goals and mission.

• Third Way Buddy Program: An onboarding process that connects new hires with existing Third Way staff to provide additional support throughout their 90-day introductory period.

• Nancy Hale Fellowship Program & Adam Solomon Internship Program: Two channels through which we bring new staff into our organization to experience our work and build connections with our staff and Third Way’s overall mission.

• Special Projects and Strategy Design: Individualized coaching and facilitation projects with internal (Third Way programs, leadership, etc.) and external (conference programming, meeting design, etc.) customers.

As an Internal Communications & Operations Intern, a typical day might include…

• Maintaining the scheduled Third Way University communications to staff and leadership;

• Coordinating connection points for the Fellowship and Internship programs;

• Work closely with the Business Operations team to gain exposure to office management and operational initiatives;

• Spend time connecting with staff to understand where LOD can provide individualized or group support in their development;

• Developing a communications strategy that meets the needs of the operations team in effectively reporting organizational updates.

Daily Operations

• Check-In with the Team: Each morning, meet briefly with the Senior Advisor for LOD to outline the day's priorities, discuss any pressing admin tasks, and provide updates on ongoing projects. Check in weekly as LOD team to discuss projects and upcoming events.

• Admin Tasks: Regularly update our project management platform, Monday.com, with the day's progress, respond to emails, and ensure all communication channels are up-to-date. This includes managing updates for the TWU courses and handling logistics for the Buddy and Fellows programs.

• Tech and Room Setup: Ensure all technological and physical space setups are ready for any meetings, events, or presentations scheduled for the day.

Meetings & Events 

• Lunch & Learns:

  • Finalize the presentation setup, and send reminder emails to attendees.

  • Post-event, send the speaker the presentation deck and a thank-you note.

• Third Way University (TWU) Courses:

  • Schedule rooms, send Outlook invites, and integrate these into the monthly TWU email. Prepare the venue and tech setup ahead of each course.

• All Staff and Team Retreats (Quarterly, with Ongoing Weekly Planning):

  • Conduct research on availability, manage scheduling invitations and coordinate logistics like transportation, catering and materials.

• All Staff Meeting Preparation:

  • Send out save-the-date and full invitation emails and coordinate meeting logistics.

Short-Term Projects

• Fellows Program Development:

  • Support the fellowship program by preparing communications for hiring, onboarding, and offboarding processes.

• Event-Specific Logistics:

  • For upcoming events, focus on specific logistic requirements such as catering orders, dietary restriction accommodations, and material procurement. As needed, help facilitate the running of the event.

• Quarterly TWU Course Review:

  • Analyze feedback from the most recent TWU courses to suggest improvements or changes for the next quarter.

• Comms Strategy - Initial Assessment and Planning:

  • Evaluate the current Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) communications protocols and identify areas for improvement in email communications and event management.

• Tool and Platform Research:

  • Research modern tools and platforms to enhance email communication and event management, focusing on features like RSVP collection, attendee engagement, and survey distribution.

Long-Term Project

• LOD/BizOps Communications Protocol Overhaul:

  • Phase 1 – Discovery: Analyze current methods used to communicate with the team. Meet with members of the team to gather current strategies utilized in communication. Ask for considerations from across the team while formulating a new strategy.

  • Phase 2 - Design: Based on the initial assessment, design a new communications protocol that includes updated scheduling practices and RSVP management strategies. This phase involves drafting plans, selecting software tools (considering integration with existing systems), and defining new workflows.

  • Phase 3 - Implementation: Test new communications protocol for LOD and bring revitalized strategy to the team. Focus on staff invitations, updates, reminders, and surveys.

  • Phase 3 - Training and Documentation: Develop comprehensive guidelines for staff to adapt to the new protocols. Ensure everyone is comfortable and proficient with the new systems and processes.

  • Phase 4 - Evaluation and Adjustment: Monitor the effectiveness of the new protocols and make adjustments based on feedback from staff and analysis of engagement metrics. This iterative process ensures that the new system effectively meets the organization's and its staff's needs.

• Eventually, this project would scale up to the Business Operations Department, with tasks including but not limited to:

  • Assessment of Business Operations Needs: Evaluate the communication needs across different Business Operations functions to identify how the new LOD protocols can be adapted and scaled.

  • Customization and Implementation: Tailor the LOD communications protocol for broader Business Operations use, considering different departments' specific needs and workflows.

  • Organization-Wide Rollout: Implement the revised protocols across the organization, including training sessions for all relevant staff and establishing a support system for troubleshooting and feedback.

*Please note all duties and events will require in-office participation. All Third Way staff are required to be vaccinated. This is a part-time, PAID INTERNSHIP. We are flexible with scheduling.*

This might be the right job for you if you…

• Are a current student with an interest in/knowledge of communication strategies, organizational development, and employee engagement. A Business or Human Resources degree is preferred but not required;

• Have considerable experience working on a team: The communications aspect of this role will require extensive coordination, buy-in, and direction from all members of the Business Operations program. Other aspects also involve cross-team collaboration, so knowing how to communicate and collaborate with others is vital to success in this position;

• Are detail-oriented: Your duties include maintaining internal communications, scheduling Third Way University courses, and other recurring tasks that must be consistent;

• Are prepared to talk to people – a lot. Success in our program hinges on understanding how our employees think, learn, and work. Building connections and relationships with staff will be a significant aspect of this role;

• Can prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines; and

• Have strong computer skills, with excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for…

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.

• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.

• Creators: People who foster divergent thinking and aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.

• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.

• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

The Internship Program runs from the first/second week in February 2025 to the first/second week in May 2025.

Interns work part-time, in-person, and are paid
$18.00/hour for up to 25 hours per week.  

Third Way is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.