Intern, Retail Operations (RILA)

About RILA

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is the trade association for retail leaders – retailers that have earned leadership status by virtue of their sales volume, innovation, or aspiration. We convene decision-makers to collaborate and gain from each other’s experience. We advance the industry through public-policy advocacy and promote operational excellence and innovation. And through research and thought leadership, we propel developments that foster both economic growth and sustainability.

The association has been supporting retailers since 1969. Today, our members (including companies like Target, Dollar General, Gap Inc., Home Depot, Walgreens, Best Buy, Ulta Beauty and many others) collect more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales and provide millions of jobs across the U.S. 

RILA has many focus areas including asset protection, finance, workforce, legal and compliance, government affairs, supply chain, sustainability and energy, and technology and innovation. The association also facilitates committees, leaders councils, and working groups—for CEOs, supply chain leaders, ESG experts, and more—and hosts topic-specific conferences and forums nationwide. 

The RILA team and corporate office are located in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 

RILA Internship Program

RILA is offering a paid summer internship opportunity within our Retail Operations department. We strive to offer a comprehensive and enriching internship program that provides valuable insight into association work and exposure to complex issues facing the retail industry. 

Interns will be based at our headquarters in D.C., where they will participate in initiatives such as advocacy, communications, and member engagement. Interns will participate in team functions like other employee which includes training, development, and team building opportunities. The program can run from May/June through August. In addition to the competitive pay of $20 per hour, RILA will offer interns a transportation stipend of $50 per month to help absorb commuting costs.

The 2026 Internship program will be “hybrid” with flexibility for in-office and at-home productivity. Our policy is three days in the office with an optional two days for telecommuting. Interns are responsible for their own health insurance, housing, and travel expenses to and from Washington, D.C.

Internship Opportunity: Retail Operations

The Retail Operations Internship is designed to provide a hands-on, project-based learning experience for students with an interest in retail operations, supply chain, logistics, and corporate business topics. Through applied research, cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to retail industry stakeholders, the intern will contribute to meaningful initiatives that support RILA’s retail operations agenda while gaining practical insight into how retailers address shared operational challenges.

Specific projects planned: 

Projects to be refined based on academic focus and interests of intern, but may include: Cargo Theft Resource Library, Distribution Center KPI Review, Supply Chain Case Study Library, Retail Distribution Center/Facilities Database, Logistics Market Dynamics Explainer, Hard-to-Recycle Challenge Briefs, and/or Retail ESG Disclosure Trends Research

Enrichment opportunities identified: 
Attendance of retail operations related community calls (based on final list of projects), likely attendance of at least one in-person RILA retail operations committee meeting.
 

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: 
Project management in collaboration with SVP of Retail Operations, VP of Supply Chain, and Coordinator of Retail Operations Committees, conducting desk research, presenting research findings to internal RILA staff and/or RILA retail members during calls and/or in-person meetings.

How do I apply? 

To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student and available for the duration of the internship program. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S and have a strong interest in the retail industry. Interested candidates should submit a statement of interest and a resume by 5:00 pm EDT on April 24, 2026. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis and final decisions will be made no later than May 8. Application materials should be emailed to hr@rila.org with the subject “Internship Application – Name of Candidate – Retail Operations”.

RILA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.