Strategic Partnerships and Business Development Internship

About NYRR

New York Road Runners (NYRR) was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people and has grown from a local running club into the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire through running, aiming to empower people of all ages and abilities to improve their health and well-being through the power of running and fitness.  

NYRR’s year-round offerings of races, community events, programs, and training resources provide hundreds of thousands of people with the motivation, know-how, and opportunities to start running and keep running for life. NYRR’s premier event, the famed TCS New York City Marathon, attracts the world’s top professional runners and committed amateurs alike, while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for New York City. NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire children in underserved communities in New York City, nationwide, and around the world. 

Headquartered in New York City, NYRR is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org. 

At New York Road Runners, we are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace by finding the best candidate for the job. We understand that skills come from a variety of different backgrounds. Checking off every single requirement on our job description is not necessary to apply. If you think you are a good fit and have a passion for the work we do, please submit your application. We are eager to learn about your experience and skills! You may be the right candidate for this or other open positions.

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the Department

The Strategic Partnerships team is responsible for developing revenue-generating partnerships from corporate and community-based organizations and managing those relationships. Partnerships vary from year-round engagement to specific races and events. They work closely with all of NYRR’s departments to develop programs that maximize revenue opportunities and ensure NYRR‘s partners’ objectives are being met. Our Licensing & Merchandising provides merchandising services, including staff clothing, weekly race premiums, and premiums for programs.

About the Internship

The New York Road Runners Internship program is a paid, 21-week experience in which interns have the opportunity to learn from the best in the non-profit business. Interns will work collaboratively with professionals in their field of study and will have opportunities to network across the organization. The program will include professional development events and a chance to make a direct impact on the communities in New York City by working select events. Interns will receive onboarding and training to learn about NYRR and gain the knowledge needed to best perform in their role.

Internship dates will be Monday, June 15, 2026 to Friday, November 13, 2026.

The intern will support partner relations responsibilities in the lead up to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. The position reports to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and offers hands-on exposure to day-to-day operations of the department. The intern will have the opportunity to actively participate in marathon planning and execution, including partner events, the TCSNYCM Expo presented by New Balance, other race week events, race day, and Marathon Monday (day after TCSNYCM).

Intern Responsibilities (primary and secondary duties): 

• Gain knowledge of how to best support partners in their day to day planning for upcoming weekly races and the TCS New York City Marathon (via weekly calls)
• Support sponsored race event execution in all weather conditions as needed, to ensure partner deliverables are managed successfully (may include signage installation, hospitality tent activations, product distribution/gifting, speaking opportunities coordination, volunteer management) 
• Support all facets of partner management, including creative brainstorms and cross-functional department planning meetings
• Assist in the approval process of trafficking creative assets, managing status call scheduling, taking meeting notes, fulfilling hospitality deliverables, credentialing, race entry management, and project recapping
• Gain experience communicating and collaborating effectively with colleagues and cross-functional departments to ensure sponsorship deal points are executed on time, including social/digital content, volunteer opportunities, signage and more
• Help manage a variety of data entry projects including partner race entry management, credentialing and ticketing

Internship Hours: 

• Interns will work 25 hours per week Monday through Friday
• Interns are required to work the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1st, as well two other weekend events (dates to be determined)
• Other weekend event-based work may be required and will be evaluated as needed based on position.

Internship Requirements: 

• Sophomore or junior in college, working towards a degree in marketing, business, communications, sports management or similar disciplines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Other Requirements: 

• Strong communication skills including comfort in asking for mandatories and stressing deadlines
• Exhibit solution-oriented thinking, as well as excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills 
• Comfortable working in large teams and engaging with the public

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to be outside in the elements for the duration of event shifts

Salary: $22/hour