Business Development Intern
Position Description
Position Summary
Common Impact, a Cambridge, MA-based not-for-profit organization, is seeking a parttime Business Development Intern (10 hours / week) to enhance our relationship development
and revenue generating activities through three major work streams (I.) Developing a “Top 100”
target list for prospective corporate partners, (II.) Prioritizing a short list of desirable cities to target
for future expansion, and (III.) Assisting with proactive outreach to companies/individuals who are
attending the same conferences we will be attending in 2009. The successful candidate will
demonstrate a compelling interest in our mission and a highly professional, well-organized work
ethic. The Intern position can be fulfilled with a minimum of face-to-face conversations at our
offices in Kendall Square and the remaining activities conducted remotely (as desired – space will
always be available at our offices). The internship will be compensated at $12 / hour. The
minimum commitment we ask for is six months; longer commitments are welcomed, and this
position could translate into a full-time summer Internship for an MBA candidate between the first
and second years of their program.
About Common Impact
Common Impact is a nonprofit organization that connects skilled professionals from
global companies to high-potential local nonprofits. Our employee engagement programs match
employee-volunteers with nonprofits that need help overcoming key business challenges. This
innovative approach to corporate community service enables companies to realize a positive
return on their social investment while building stronger teams and developing employee skills. At
the same time, this access to private sector talent enables nonprofits to amplify their impact on
the constituents they serve. Ultimately, our work helps foster stronger communities wherever
those companies operate.
Position Description
Common Impact is seeking an MBA-level part-time Intern with some previous
professional experience working on business development targeting, prospecting and outreach.
Common Impact is a rapidly growing social enterprise based in Cambridge, MA with
operations in Greater Boston, New York City and Richmond, VA. As we continue to build toward
our goal of being a national organization working with 25% of F500 companies, we will need to
develop and execute against a well designed business development strategy. The successful
candidate will be given significant responsibility and will impact our organization by enhancing our
corporate relationship development and revenue generation activities.
Responsibilities for the Strategic Communications Intern
Working with the Vice President of Partnerships at Common Impact, the Intern would be
responsible for taking the lead to achieve the following objectives:
I. Developing a Top 100 target list for prospective corporate partners
1. Refining the criteria we use to profile an ideal target company for our program. Existing
criteria include the following:
Common Impact
http://www.commonimpact.org
TEL 617.492.3105
FAX 617.492.2605
a. Large companies (F500 as a proxy) with a high proportion of managerial
employees (i.e., working in functions including IT, Marketing, HR, Operations and
Finance)
b. Companies willing to invest in developing their people because their industry
requires some combination of good client facing skills / innovation / analytics
(e.g., financial services, technology, professional services)
c.
Companies willing to invest significantly in their brand (e.g., consumer products,
or companies who have reputational issues like defense or tobacco)
d. Companies headquartered close to other prospective partners (note: It wouldn't
be as attractive for us to pursue a company in an isolated location, where few
other good prospects are located)
We would like to further refine our criteria and build a list of “Top 100” prospects
nationally. These top prospects would be companies who meet the above-mentioned
criteria, but also possess a second layer of characteristics that are relevant to our
program, such as being nominated as one of the best companies to work for, or having a
CEO who is particularly vocal about employee engagement and leadership development.
The Intern will help to identify and prioritize relevant screening criteria with the input of
the VP of Partnerships.
2. Researching companies who meet the above-mentioned criteria and building the Top 100
prospect list. Common Impact has completed some previous research that could be used
as a starting point.
3. Identifying the names and contact information for the CEO, Chief Talent Officer and Vice
President of Learning and Development for companies on the Top 100 prospect list to be
used for marketing and outreach. Again, we have pre-existing research to start with.
II. Prioritizing a short list of desirable cities to target for expansion
1. Using annual reports and other research tools like Hoovers.com, the Intern will be
mapping the major US locations of our existing 15 corporate partners so that we know
where they have significant numbers of employees. The Intern would then analyze where
we have the greatest geographic overlap across these partners and produce a list of
cities that would be attractive expansion sites.
2. Identifying other major companies based in the cities on our expansion short list, and
then re-prioritizing the city list based on the combination of both factors: (1) presence of
existing corporate partners and (2) presence of prospective corporate partners.
III. Assisting with proactive outreach to companies/individuals who are attending the same
conferences we will be attending in 2009
1. Common Impact has identified several national conferences that we will attend in 2009 to
increase awareness of our program among key audiences including HR Executives at
large companies, Community Affairs Executives at large companies, and Executive
Directors/Program Officers of philanthropic foundations. Using the published agendas
and attendee lists for these conferences, the Intern will help the VP of Partnerships and
our Director of External Relations to identify the short list of individuals (5-8) we should
attempt to obtain meetings with while at the conference.
3. Having identified our key prospects for these conferences, the Intern will assist with
drafting and sending letters of introduction to these individuals and creating a process to
organize our follow up activities after the conference has taken place.
Common Impact
http://www.commonimpact.org
TEL 617.492.3105
FAX 617.492.2605
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate to work with Common Impact will have the following attributes and
experience:
•
Previous experience in a business development or revenue-generating support role
•
Previous experience in marketing in a business-to-business context
•
Strong research and analytical skills
•
Highly professional in all interactions—i.e., punctual, tactful, and positive
•
A strong communicator both in writing and in speaking
•
Organized and detail minded
•
Able to work independently on a variety of projects and manage her or his time effectively
•
Enthusiastic for the vision, mission, and values of Common Impact
How to Apply
Common Impact is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse
community. Common Impact strongly encourages people of color to apply.
To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to:
jobs@commonimpact.org with “Business Development Intern – Last Name, First Name” in the
subject line (for example, Business Development Intern – Doe, Jane). Applications without these
materials will not be considered.
Your cover letter should address the following questions:
1. What excites you about Common Impact? How does the mission resonate with you?
2. Tell us about why you want to be an Intern in this role. (This is no time to be modest...)
3. What previous experience do you have that is relevant to this role?
4. What are the skills that you hope to develop in this position?
Please submit your resume and cover letter by Dec 31, 2008 to receive full and immediate
consideration for this position.
More Information
For more information about Common Impact or about the Business Development
Internship position, please visit our website at http://www.commonimpact.org/ or contact Lesley
Edwards by e-mail at ledwards@commnimpact.org
Common Impact
http://www.commonimpact.org
TEL 617.492.3105
FAX 617.492.2605