Marketing & Communications Intern

Job Title: Marketing & Communications Intern

Reports to: Marketing & Communications Coordinator

FLSA Status: Part-time (16 hours/week), Unpaid

Schedule: Monday – Friday (Flexible hours), In-Person in Downtown San Diego

Why this job?

• Parking Allotment or MTS Transit Pass
• Opportunity to gain firsthand experience in a nonprofit environment
• Exposure to external stakeholders, community partners, and civic leaders
• Develop professional skills in marketing & communications, and stakeholder engagement
• Be part of a mission-driven organization making a visible impact in Downtown San Diego

Position Summary

Under the guidance and supervision of the Marketing & Communications Coordinator, the Marketing & Communications Intern will participate in a structured learning experience focused on nonprofit marketing and communications at the Downtown San Diego Partnership. The intern will observe, assist, and support staff-led activities related to social media, content creation, and marketing collateral, with an emphasis on professional development and skill-building rather than independent responsibility.

This opportunity is designed for a detail-oriented, creative, and highly motivated individual who is interested in learning about the full lifecycle of nonprofit marketing and communications, from concept through execution. The internship is intended to provide exposure to content creation and stakeholder engagement within a mission-driven organization.

*This is an unpaid, temporary, volunteer internship and does not create an employment relationship. There is no expectation of wages or future employment.*

Essential Job Function & Duties

Marketing and Communications Support - 50%

• Support the Marketing & Communications department in developing and executing content across social media, email, website, and other digital channels.
• Assist with the creation of engaging photo, video, graphic, and written content that promotes Downtown San Diego Partnership programs, initiatives, events, and the Downtown community.
• Assist with editing short-form videos and other visual content for social media platforms.

Project management & Creative Support - 50%

• Collaborate with members of the Marketing & Communications team and other departments to develop content and materials that support organizational goals.
• Assist with the development of one-pagers, presentations, promotional materials, digital graphics, and other marketing collateral.
• Assist as needed to provide support for other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

**Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.*

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Interest in Marketing, Mass Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism highly preferred.
• Previous experience creating content for social media, digital platforms, or marketing communications.
• Strong writing and copywriting skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and platforms.
• Ability to effectively communicate with upper management and stakeholders.
• Highly motivated, proactive, organized, detail-oriented, self-starter and team player.
• Creative thinker who brings new ideas, takes initiative, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills, with an aptitude for attending to many details at once while keeping in mind the larger picture.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Experience using Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite highly preferred.
• Experience with photography and editing, including familiarity with using a camera or other content-creation equipment.
• Experience with video editing and short-form video content.

Core Attributes

• Creative
• Organized
• Proactive
• Detail oriented
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

About the Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) serves as the leading advocate for the economic vitality and growth of Downtown San Diego. We are a member-based, nonprofit organization with nearly 300 members, representing a variety of business sectors including real estate, technology, banking, law, defense, insurance, communications, energy, and tourism. Our members are committed to creating a vital and vibrant urban center that benefits the entire San Diego region.

In addition, we manage the Property and Business Improvement District (also called our Clean & Safe Program), City Center Business Improvement District (BID) and three Charitable Foundations. Through these programs, we provide enhanced services in maintenance, safety, and beautification within 275 blocks in Downtown, support business promotion and retention, and improve the quality of life within our community. These programs provide an annual contractual budget of approximately $9.3M annually.

Clean & Safe is committed to serving the following neighborhoods: City Center, Columbia, Cortez Hill, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter and Marina that make up Downtown San Diego. The 24/7 Operations consists of maintenance services along the public right of way, beautification efforts along with security and outreach services. This includes: Sweeping, trash removal, doggy bag dispenser refill, tree trimming, pressure washing, graffiti, gum and sticker removal. The Clean & Safe Operations is committed to providing great customer service along with providing a cleaner and safer downtown to our stakeholders and residents. To learn more about our work in these areas, please visit: https://downtownsandiego.org/

We also have the Downtown San Diego Partnership Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is dedicated to enhancing the community and fostering growth in Downtown San Diego through initiatives that connect individuals experiencing homelessness with housing, shelter services, and long-term support.

Our Values

Deliver excellent service: We strive to provide exceptional customer service through listening to our customers, providing efficient services, and innovative solutions resulting in value for our many stakeholders.

Be fun and open-minded with a quirky sense of creativity: We work hard but take time to celebrate our collective achievements and realize there's always more than one perspective to consider when approaching a challenge.

Pursue growth and learning: We invest in our people so they can continue to build skills and perspectives that enrich the work we do.

Build honest relationships and communication: We believe honesty leads to strong relationships built on a foundation of trust.

Nurture a safe work environment: We have a collective commitment to emphasize safety over competing goals to ensure the protection of people and our environment.

Inclusiveness and diversity: We honor the inherent value of every individual’s unique story, experience, and perspective. We strive to amplify the voices of our staff, community, and stakeholders and to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can contribute one’s authentic self.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the Downtown San Diego Partnership, we are an organization that attracts and empowers diversity throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the whole person and the lived experience that makes each of us unique. We strive to foster a safe environment, both internally within our organization and externally towards the communities we engage with, in which we encourage all voices to be heard and amplified as needed. We know our strengths come from championing our differences and acknowledge that each person deserves a voice and a seat at the table. Our ability to feel or be united through inclusion will result in better discussions, decisions, and outcomes that will allow us to advance the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego.

Downtown San Diego Partnership is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful environment for all participants, including interns and volunteers. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws