Communications Intern
Westlake Village, CA
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Date Posted: 4/10/2025
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's Summer Internship Program is a 10-week opportunity for college and university students to get some real-world work experience and learn new skills. Interns have the opportunity to work closely with Foundation staff members to assist with ongoing projects and develop new ideas surrounding departmental strategies. Interns are assigned to specific departments based on their unique interests and skillsets and are given projects intended to challenge them and help them grow.
During the program, interns receive extensive guidance and support from their managers and mentors and attend training sessions and workshops that help them enhance their professional skills. Overall, the summer internship program at the Hilton Foundation is a highly rewarding and valuable experience for students who want to gain real-world work experience and develop professional skills.
By the end of the program, the Communications Intern will have a comprehensive understanding of the Communications function within an organization. This includes both institutional and programmatic communications strategies for both internal and external audiences. The intern will gain valuable insights into the core elements of multifaceted communications strategies, including messaging and writing, content development, storytelling executive thought leadership and speechwriting, media relations, and employee relations. Additionally, interns will learn the importance of collaboration within a team and across different departments.
*In order to be considered for this position, please apply directly on our site and include a cover letter, resume, and 1-2 writing samples.
Project Description and Expected Deliverables
Assist the Communications department with various strategic communications activities highlighting the Hilton Foundation's philanthropic work for both internal and external audiences.
Develop high-quality written content for various initiatives at the Foundation, for both the institution and for specific program areas
Preparation of materials for meetings and briefings
Assist with editorial and Foundation-wide calendar management
Update and maintain StoryBank and cataloging system
Attend meetings and capture notes and key takeaways
Build media lists and assist with crafting story angles
Research other organizations and provide recommendations for effective storytelling
Learning Objectives
Learn about brand and corporate communications in the context of a philanthropic institution.
Learn the basics of effective communications, including strategies for reaching specific audiences through targeted messaging and appropriate channels.
Understand best practices for telling stories about global communities, including ethical considerations.
Begin to identify and make recommendations on compelling stories that showcase the work of the Hilton Foundation.
Develop media relations skills and knowledge of the media landscape.
Time management and prioritization.
Requirements
Required
Actively enrolled in college or university.
Ability to adhere to the mandatory hybrid work schedule of 3 days in the Westlake Village office (Monday to Wednesday) and 2 days remotely (Thursday and Friday).
High level of proficiency in MS Word and MS Outlook.
Intermediate level of proficiency in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
Desired
Exceptional writer with strong written communication skills.
Strong work ethic and a passion for excellence.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Highly organized.
High interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Interest in or experience in project management.
Desired Majors
Communications
Journalism
English
Marketing
Writing
Media Studies
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
Compensation and Benefits
$21/HR
Transportation Stipend
Tech allowance
Paid holidays
To Apply
Apply directly on our website: Intern, Communications
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 1-2 writing samples to be considered.
Summary
About the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
International hotelier Conrad N. Hilton established the grantmaking foundation that bears his name in 1944 to help people living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage worldwide. More than eighty years later, the work continues, concentrating on efforts to ensure healthy early childhood development and sustainable livelihoods for youth and refugee populations, support young people transitioning out of foster care, improve access to housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness, identify solutions to safe water access, and lift the work of Catholic sisters. Additionally, following selection by an independent, international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $2.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to an organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. The Foundation is one of the world’s largest, with approximately $7.3 billion in assets. It has awarded grants to date totaling more than $3.6 billion worldwide, and nearly $300 million in 2024. Please visit www.hiltonfoundation.org for more information.
