Operations & Project Intern (Fall 2026)

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.

Third Way's Business Operations Department (BizOps) seeks an energetic, motivated, and dedicated Operations and Projects Intern with exceptional communication and writing skills to work alongside our Business Operations Team and Senior Project Advisor on related projects. We offer an opportunity to work in a dynamic, forward-thinking organization that promotes center-left ideas. The intern's primary responsibility is to help manage projects and assist with assigned projects' administrative, technical, and financial aspects. The Intern will report directly to the Senior Project Advisor (SPA).

As an Operations and Projects Intern, you will acquire practical experience in planning, executing, and monitoring projects, enhancing your project management and organizational skills. You will learn to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project timelines, and meet deliverables. Additionally, you will gain expertise in using project management tools and methodologies to drive operational efficiency and project success. You will learn to collaborate across departments, manage projects, and support strategic initiatives to drive operational efficiency across the Business Operation Team. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from other members of the Business Operation Team. We aim for you to have a well-rounded project and business operations internship.

As a BizOps Intern, a typical day might include…

• Project & Task Management:

  • Reviewing, creating, and/or maintaining workflows to drive effectiveness on Monday.com;

  • Effectively contributing and thriving in a collaborative, team-oriented work environment;

  • Supporting team leads on cross-departmental initiatives;

  • Managing assigned project tasks through completion;

  • Coordinating and communicating on interdepartmental tasks and processes;

  • Ensuring quality and timely submission of all project deliverables and documentation as assigned by the SPA;

  • Managing and updating project progress on Monday.com, ensuring all information is current;

  • Handling email correspondence related to assigned projects and initiatives;

  • Participating in brief daily check-ins with the SPA to outline the day’s priorities, and weekly check-ins to discuss open projects and upcoming events;

  • Ensuring all technological and physical space setups are ready for any meetings, events, or presentations scheduled for the day;

• Office Maintenance & Administrative Support:

  • Providing high-level customer service to all TW staff and visitors;

  • Assisting as needed in maintaining organization/tidiness of all common areas (i.e. Pantry, Workroom, Huddle Booths, Conference Rooms, Reception Area);

  • Performing other job-related duties as requested for the BizOps Team;

• Meetings & Events: Health & Wellness and Center For Fun (Quarterly, with Ongoing Weekly Planning):

  • Conducting research on availability, manage scheduling invitations, and coordinate logistics like catering and materials;

  • Helping set up and break down rooms for Center for Fun (CFF) and Health & Wellness (H&W) events and activities;

  • Tracking and documenting event logistics, attendance, and feedback for future improvements;

  • Sending out save-the-date and full invitation emails and coordinate meeting logistics;

• Short-Term Projects

  • Support Quarterly Health & Wellness Program Execution:

    • Assist in coordinating logistics for upcoming Health & Wellness events, including venue selection, vendor coordination, and promotional efforts;

    • Track staff engagement and gather feedback to inform future program improvements;

  • Initial Assessment & Planning of BizOps Project Management & Tracking:

    • Conduct research on project management best practices and industry standards;

    • Collaborate with Senior Project Advisor to assess current BizOps tracking methods and identify gaps or inefficiencies;

    • Participate in restructuring project workflows and documentation to optimize efficiency;

    • Assist in developing standardized processes and templates to streamline project execution;

• Long-Term Projects:

  • Internal Process Audit & Optimization Toolkit:

    • Audit existing internal process (e.g., onboarding, meeting scheduling, project intake, or task tracking), identify inefficiencies, and create a clear, replicable Process Optimization Toolkit (including documentation, templates, and recommendations) to streamline and improve that process for future use;

  • Phase 1 – Process Selection & Stakeholder Interviews

    • Choose one core BizOps process (can be assigned or selected with your guidance);

    • Conduct interviews or shadow relevant team members to understand the workflow;

    • Document the current state using flowcharts or visual diagrams (use Miror or monday.com boards);

  • Phase 2 – Pain Point Identification & Benchmarking

    • Identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the process;

    • Benchmark against best practices (internal or external) for project management or operations workflows;

  • Phase 3 –Solution Proposals

    • Develop 2–3 actionable improvement recommendations;

    • Present proposed changes to the supervisor for feedback;

  • Phase 4 - Toolkit Development

    • Create SOPs, templates, or checklists to support the new process;

    • Build a sample workflow in monday.com (if relevant);

  • Phase 5 - Capstone Presentation

    • Present findings and deliverables to the Business Operations team;

    • Share reflections and lessons learned.

*Applications close on August 10, 2026. Internship offers will be extended between August 17 and August 21, 2026. *

*Please note all duties and events will require in-office participation. This is a part-time, PAID INTERNSHIP. *

Requirements

This might be the job for you, if you…

• Are a current student or recent graduate with an interest in and knowledge in a relevant field such as business administration, management, project management, or a related discipline is preferred.

• Are detail-oriented: Your duties include maintaining Monday.com project management platform, support the operations team with communications, and other recurring tasks that must be consistent.

• Can prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines.

• Have strong computer skills, with excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Have Teamwork and Collaboration skills: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Willingness to learn from others and contribute to team goals.

• Have strong Time Management skills: Ability to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines. Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and project requirements.

• Have strong Problem-Solving Skills: Capability to identify problems and propose practical solutions. Resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles and achieving project goals.

• Have strong Written Communication skills: Ability to make clear and convincing verbal presentations; listens effectively; clarifies information, as needed; writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for intended audiences.

• Are Respectful: Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feeling of different people in different situations.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for…

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.

• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing shared priorities

• Creators: People who foster divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.

• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.

• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and foster the values of non-discrimination and inclusivity at all times.

The Internship Program runs from Tuesday, September 8th, through December 17th. Interns work part-time, in-person, and are paid $19.00/hour.

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.