New Business (Business Development) Internship

Title: New Business (Business Development) Internship - Winter/Spring '27 Location: Washington, DC, United States Posted Date: 2026-09-15

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full-time, paid internship program. Our interns will experience on-the-job training in client services, design, global marketing, or new business development and are involved in a wide variety of daily client account activities. Interns are treated as professional staff, participate in team meetings and actively contribute ideas, and support the overall management and growth of client work and the firm. This internship will sit with our Global New Business team out of APCO's Washington, DC office. Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development of proposals, pitch materials, capabilities presentations, and other business development assets to support client acquisition efforts
• Track and maintain new business opportunities, helping to coordinate information, timelines, and submissions across APCO teams
• Conduct background research on prospective clients and the challenges faced
• Analyze public affairs, communications, and industry developments to identify potential opportunities and provide insights to support growth initiatives  

Qualifications:

• Recent college graduate or senior in class standing
• The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, comfortable in a fast-paced environment, able to operate independently, possess strong attention to detail and strong collaborative skills
• Applicants are expected to have excellent written and oral communication skills and experience successfully balancing multiple work streams
• Streamlined critical thinking skills and exceptionally organized
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint; specifically, layout and creation of charts and graphics
• Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status  

What are the core working hours and will I need to be in an office?  Our interns work between 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.  We are committed to a hybrid and flexible working environment, and there may be days that you wish to work from home and days that we come together so that you get to explore more of our culture and meet other colleagues. You will be provided with a company laptop so that you are able to work from home and in the office easily. 

Compensation:   This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $18.40 When is the closing date for applications? Applications will close on Friday, October 2nd.   When does the internship commence? Our intern program begins on Tuesday, January 12th and ends on Friday, May 21st 2027.  Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.

About APCO   

APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.  

Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.  

APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.  

APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact. 

By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made. 

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full-time, paid internship program. Our interns will experience on-the-job training in client services, design, global marketing, or new business development and are involved in a wide variety of daily client account activities. Interns are treated as professional staff, participate in team meetings and actively contribute ideas, and support the overall management and growth of client work and the firm.