Summer Associate, President's Office

The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking a Summer Associate for our President’s Office.

We value our Summer Associates and want to invest in and mentor future leaders who will grow personally and professionally and create an impact in the philanthropic sector. As a Summer Associate at The Rockefeller Foundation, you will have the chance to contribute to our initiatives through engaging, meaningful work assignments. 

Program Details

• This position is open to graduate students only.
• A cover letter is required.
• The 2025 summer program will run 11 weeks from June – August 2024.
• This position will be based in New York City or Washington DC; preference is for a student who can work a hybrid schedule.

Pay Range: $30 - $35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships to develop and implement strategic initiatives that advance the President’s objectives – most notably related to our climate action portfolio, energy access and transition, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).
• Support key strategic activities including reviewing and preparing Board materials, preparing fundraising materials and strategies, and other special projects under the direction of the Chief of Staff, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships, and other President’s Office team members.
• Draft outreach to key stakeholders, develop briefing materials for the President and senior leaders and support planning for important external engagements and trips.
• Support preparation for high-level convenings and bilateral meetings with world leaders, CEOs, and civil society leaders.
• Drive special projects that advance the President’s program and/or policy priorities (e.g., energy access and transition, climate strategy, food, finance, and health) with guidance from the President’s Office team members.
• Support end-to-end grantmaking (including proposal development, grantee outreach, and due diligence) for the Special Opportunities Fund grant portfolio.
• Support operations of the President’s Office as required, including knowledge management, document and deliverable review, and ad hoc research.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Currently enrolled or recent graduate of a graduate program in one of the following areas: public policy, international relations, business management, government, international development, economics, or a related field.
• Experience engaging with, presenting to, and preparing materials for executive leadership and senior managers.
• Prior work experience in partnerships, strategic consulting, policy and external engagement, philanthropy, executive office, consulting international organizations (e.g. UN, multilateral development banks), or similar fields.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to write for executive audiences under time constraints.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Experience orchestrating high-level convenings from both a content and logistics perspective.
• Familiarity with at least two of The Rockefeller Foundation’s priority program areas, including clean energy, climate, food systems and agriculture, health, equity and economic opportunity, development finance, and/or innovation.
• Highly analytical with the ability to quickly synthesize both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Able to toggle quickly between the big picture and details and connect implementation plans to broader objectives.
• Exceptional project and stakeholder management skills and ability to exercise influence in complex environments.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to adapt to new situations quickly.
• Extremely resourceful and entrepreneurial with a willingness to take on new challenges.
• Highly collaborative, empathetic, and comfortable working independently and in teams.
• Familiarity with grantmaking and philanthropy is preferred but not required.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Committed to the mission of the Foundation.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members' diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices. 

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.