Strategic Partnerships Internship (Part-Time)

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 vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running. As a New York City–based nonprofit, we’re dedicated to transforming the health and well-being of our communities through inclusive and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential.

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.  

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the Department

The Strategic Partnerships & Runner Products Department consists of the Strategic Partnerships team, the Runner Products and Services team, and Professional Athlete Group.  

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.  

The Runner Products and Services team supports the training, racing and community experience of our runners⁠—through classes, seminars, and customized training programs, and tailored customer service. The Runner Services team is the information source for our runners, serving for a conduit of information and an advocate for NYRR's runner-first philosophy both online and at the NYRR RUNCENTER. Our NYRR RUNCENTER also offers programming and serves as a hub of resources for our runners year-round. NYRR’s Charity Programs include more than 500 Official Charity Partners whose runners raise over $40 million annually. NYRR’s ITO Program operates in 100+ countries, and across six continents, and brings more than 15,000 international runners across the finish line at the TCS NYC Marathon.  

The Professional Athlete group (PAG) develops and oversees programming related to the participation of professional and elite athletes, including wheelchair athletes, in NYRR events and initiatives, working closely with athletes, agents, coaches and federations while developing and implementing the recruiting strategy for professional athletes to compete in NYRR events. 

About the Internship

The New York Road Runners Internship Program is a paid, 21-week experience spanning from Monday, June 16, 2025 to Friday, November 14, 2025, in which interns will 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.

The Strategic Partnerships intern will support partner relations responsibilities in the lead up to the 2025 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)
• The intern will learn 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 Schedule 

Interns are expected to work 25 hours weekly, Monday to Friday, in a hybrid work setting. This role will also have weekend work (Saturdays or Sundays) to support NYRR events. Dates will be determined at the start of the internship and availability will be taken into account. 

The NYRR events calendar can be viewed at https://www.nyrr.org/fullraceyearindex. 

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, including being comfortable stressing deadlines

Other Requirements:

• 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
• Comfortable in a deadline driven environment
• The ability to be outside in the elements for the duration of event shifts

Applications for this internship will be accepted until February 17, 2025.

Salary: $22/hour

NYRR requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless approved for a medical or religious exemption.