Operations & Project Intern, Business Operations (Fall 2025)

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.

Third Way's Business Operations Department (BizOps) seeks an energetic, motivated, and dedicated Operations and Projects Intern with exceptional communication and writing skills to work alongside our Business Operations Team and Senior Project Advisor on related projects. We offer an opportunity to work in a dynamic, forward-thinking organization that promotes center-left ideas. The intern's primary responsibility is to help manage projects and assist with assigned projects' administrative, technical, and financial aspects. The Intern will report directly to the Senior Project Advisor (SPA).

As an Operations and Projects Intern, you will acquire practical experience in planning, executing, and monitoring projects, enhancing your project management and organizational skills. You will learn to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project timelines, and meet deliverables. Additionally, you will gain expertise in using project management tools and methodologies to drive operational efficiency and project success. You will learn to collaborate across departments, manage projects, and support strategic initiatives to drive operational efficiency across the Business Operation Team. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from other members of the Business Operation Team. We aim for you to have a well-rounded project and business operations internship.

The Operations & Project Intern will:

• Project & Task Management

  • Review, create, and/or maintain workflows to drive effectiveness on Monday.com;

  • Effectively contributes and thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented work environment;

  • Support a team lead on cross-departmental initiatives;

  • Manage assigned project tasks through completion;

  • Coordinate and communicate on interdepartmental tasks and processes;

  • Ensure quality and timely submission of all project deliverables and documentation as assigned by the SPA;

  • Manage and update project progress on Monday.com, ensuring all information is current;

  • Handle email correspondence related to assigned projects and initiatives;

  • Briefly daily check-ins with the SPA to outline the day’s priorities, and weekly check-ins to discuss open projects and upcoming events;

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

• Office Maintenance & Administrative Support

  • Provide high-level customer service to all TW staff and visitors;

  • Assist as needed in maintaining organization/tidiness of all common areas (i.e. Pantry, Workroom, Huddle Booths, Conference Rooms, Reception Area);

  • Perform other job-related duties as requested for the BizOps Team. 

Internship Meetings and Events:

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

• Help set up and break down rooms for Center for Fun (CFF) and Health & Wellness (H&W) events and activities;

• Track and document event logistics, attendance, and feedback for future improvements;

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

Internship Short-Term Projects:

• Support Quarterly Health & Wellness Program Execution:

  • Assist in coordinating logistics for upcoming Health & Wellness events, including venue selection, vendor coordination, and promotional efforts;

  • Track staff engagement and gather feedback to inform future program improvements.

• Initial Assessment & Planning of BizOps Project Management & Tracking

  • Conduct research on project management best practices and industry standards;

  • Collaborate with Stephanie to assess current BizOps tracking methods and identify gaps or inefficiencies;

  • Participate in restructuring project workflows and documentation to optimize efficiency;

  • Assist in developing standardized processes and templates to streamline project execution.

Internship Long-Term Projects:

Internal Process Audit & Optimization Toolkit:

Audit an existing internal process (e.g., onboarding, meeting scheduling, project intake, or task tracking), identify inefficiencies, and create a clear, replicable Process Optimization Toolkit (including documentation, templates, and recommendations) to streamline and improve that process for future use.

• Phase 1 – Process Selection & Stakeholder Interviews

  • Choose one core BizOps process (can be assigned or selected with your guidance);

  • Conduct interviews or shadow relevant team members to understand the workflow;

  • Document the current state using flowchart or visual diagrams (use Lucidchart or Monday.com boards).

• Phase 2 – Pain Point Identification & Benchmarking

  • Identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the process;

  • Benchmark against best practices (internal or external) for project management or operations workflows.

• Phase 3 – Solution Proposal

  • Develop 2- actionable improvement recommendations;

  • Present proposed changes to the team or supervisor for feedback.

• Phase 4 – Toolkit Development

  • Create SOP’s, templates, or checklist to support the new process;

  • Build a sample workflow in Monday.com (if relevant).

• Phase 5 – Capstone Presentation

  • Present findings and deliverables to the Business Operations team;

  • Shared reflections and lessons learned.

*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. *

This might be the job for you, if you…

• Are a current student or recent graduate with an interest in and knowledge in a relevant field such as business administration, management, project management, or a related discipline is preferred.

• Are detail-oriented: Your duties include maintaining Monday.com project management platform, support the operations team with communications, and other recurring tasks that must be consistent.

• Can prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines.

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

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Willingness to learn from others and contribute to team goals.

• Time Management: Ability to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines. Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and project requirements.

• Problem-Solving Skills: Capability to identify problems and propose practical solutions. Resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles and achieving project goals

• Written Communication - Ability to make clear and convincing verbal presentations; listens effectively; clarifies information, as needed; writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for intended audiences.

• Respectfulness - Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity and respect.  Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feeling of different people in different situations.

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 Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, through Thursday, December 18th, 2025.
Interns work part-time, in-person, and are paid $19.00/hour.  

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. 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.