Community Relations Internship

Job Title : Community Relations Intern

Reports To : General Manager

Location : Aurora, IL

Duration : March 2025 - August 2025

Salary / Position : Unpaid Internship

Position Summary :

The Community Relations Intern will assist the team in creating and executing community outreach programs and initiatives aimed at building positive relationships with local organizations, schools, and fans.

This role is ideal for students passionate about sports and community engagement, offering a hands-on experience in event planning, public relations, and community development.

Key Responsibilities :

• Community Event Support : Assist in planning and executing community events, including youth soccer clinics, player appearances, charity events, and school visits.
• Partnership Engagement : Help maintain relationships with local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Assist in coordinating partnerships for community programs and events.
• Game Day Activities : Assist with community relations efforts on game days, such as organizing and coordinating youth groups, special guests, and community honorees during halftime or pre-game ceremonies.
• Volunteer Management : Work with community partners to recruit and manage volunteers for events, gameday activities, and other community-related initiatives.
• Donation Requests & Fulfillment : Assist in managing donation requests from local organizations and coordinating the fulfillment of those requests, including the distribution of tickets, merchandise, or other team assets.
• Social Media & Promotions : Collaborate with the marketing team to promote community events and initiatives via the team’s social media channels, newsletters, and website.
• Player & Staff Appearances : Help coordinate and schedule player and staff appearances at community events, ensuring smooth logistics and communication with all involved parties.
• Program Development : Assist in the development and execution of new community programs aimed at increasing the team's presence in the local area, such as reading initiatives, youth engagement programs, or charity partnerships.
• Administrative Support : Provide general administrative support for the community relations department, including maintaining records, tracking event participation, and compiling reports on community impact.

Qualifications :

• Currently pursuing a degree in Public Relations, Communications, Sports Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Passion for working with the community and a desire to make a positive impact.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for events and games.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment while also managing independent tasks.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Prior experience in event planning or volunteer coordination is a plus.

Benefits :

• Hands-on experience working with a professional sports team and community organizations.
• Opportunities to build relationships with nonprofit leaders, community stakeholders, and sports industry professionals.
• Potential for academic credit (depending on your educational institution’s requirements).
• Complimentary tickets to games and events.
• Networking opportunities within the sports industry and community sectors.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.