Employment & Internship Opportunities
Joining the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) team provides you with the opportunity to work with a nationwide network of elite business executive members, senior leaders in the national security enterprise, and a staff of respected experts united in our mission of applying best business practices to address the nation’s pressing security challenges.
The Stanley A. Weiss Research Associate Internship Program
BENS relies on our research associate interns. They contribute to all aspects of our work in applying best business practices to addressing the nation’s most critical security challenges. Research associates receive substantive research and writing assignments in BENS’ major areas of work. For a complete list of current project/policy efforts and descriptions, view Our Work.
General Timeline for Review of Research Associate Applications
** The application for Fall 2023 Internships is now open. **
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Research associate interns are integral to the BENS team. They have substantive research and administrative responsibilities, supporting BENS’ organizational goals and the work BENS is doing with its government partners and members in the national security community. Work includes:
- Tracking and analyzing developments of relevant policy issues, including:
- Critical mineral supply/demand challenges;
- Resiliency of the energy grid from man-made and natural threats;
- Efforts to recruit and retain a talented national security workforce; and
- Transformative organizational changes to address great power competition.
- Working with BENS staff to provide supporting research for work with BENS national security-focused government partners and business leaders, including literature reviews,
report summaries, bibliographies, and analyses of relevant articles. - Working with BENS staff to provide support for work and outreach with BENS national security-focused government partners and business leaders.
- Engaging with business leaders who are BENS members, and other public and private sector partners, to support BENS work.
- Assisting with the preparation of and participating in events, including drafting background memos, taking meeting notes, and contributing to recommendations and next steps.
- Helping to draft products such as media pieces, correspondence, reports, and memos to government partners.
- Covering Congressional hearings or other key meetings, including taking notes and drafting follow-up memoranda.
- Drafting products such as media pieces, correspondence, reports, infographics, and memos to government partners and senior BENS staff.
- Actively and continuously updating membership databases for Engagement and project-related efforts.
- Setting up and breaking down all project-related events.
- General office administrative support.
SKILLS
- Effective research and data-use skills required.
- Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills required.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment and juggle multiple things at once required.
- Interpersonal and professional skills, including the ability to interact with senior business and industry executives and military and government leaders, required.
- Collaborative and independent work skills required.
TERM
BENS offers research associate internship positions throughout the year. Spring terms typically run January-May, summer terms June-August, and fall terms September-December. Research associate interns are paid an hourly wage set at the current D.C. minimum wage, and receive metro travel benefits. We prefer those who are available to work full-time for four or five days each week, but will consider other outstanding candidates as well.
REQUIREMENTS
BENS accepts applicants from all backgrounds and degree programs (e.g., International Affairs, Security Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Business, Engineering, technical programs, or any professional school graduate program). Most applicants have or are in the process of completing, an undergraduate or graduate degree. However, candidates are selected at a variety of career points, depending on their skills and prior experience. Strong writing and research skills are required, as is an interest in making government work more effectively with respect to national security efforts. Applicants must also be computer-literate and Internet-savvy. For more information, please email Senior Associate Hannah Beitler at hbeitler@bens.org.
TO APPLY
All applicants are encouraged to explore our website before applying; demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, BENS’ mission is critical to a competitive application.
Please send a concise cover letter, a one-page resume, and a 2–3-page writing sample to Hannah Beitler, Senior Associate responsible for coordinating research associate internships, at hbeitler@bens.org. Applications should include all documents to be considered.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Research associate interns are integral to the BENS team. They have substantive research and administrative responsibilities, supporting BENS’ organizational goals and the work BENS is doing with government partners in the national security community. Reporting to the Development Manager and based at BENS’ national headquarters in Washington, DC, the Development Research Associate provides essential project and organizational support to an energetic team (including seven colleagues based in regional offices around the country). Work includes:
- Assist with the preparation of and participation in regional and national events, including invite correspondence, taking meeting notes, and next steps.
- Conduct a long-term research project related to the expertise of our membership and identify expertise needed in each region. Utilizing an internal program called EAT, create visual data to identify expertise and demographic-based needs of BENS membership to assist prospecting, new member recruitment, and upcoming project work and our government partner’s needs.
- Support and maintain our membership data, utilizing Raiser’s Edge. Conduct database management to clean up old data, ensure accuracy, and provide accurate lists of government officials and partners, members, or prospects.
- Provide prospect research support to the Development team, including background information, donor profiles, and wealth assessments.
- Engage with business leaders who are BENS members, and other public and private sector partners, to support BENS work.
- Provide administrative support to the Development Manager and Team as needed.
SKILLS
- Effective research and data-use skills required.
- Strong writing and organizational skills required.
- Must be a team player, but also confident working on own. A self-starter with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency with MS Word, Excel, databases, and internet researching methods, are a must. Specific experience with Raiser’s Edge is a major plus.
TERM
BENS offers research associate internship positions throughout the year. Spring terms typically run January-May, summer terms June-August, and fall terms September-December. Research associate interns are paid an hourly wage set at the current DC minimum wage and receive metro travel benefits. We prefer those who are available to work full-time for four or five days each week but will consider other outstanding candidates as well.
REQUIREMENTS
BENS accepts applicants from all backgrounds and degree programs (e.g., International Affairs, Political Science, Non-Profit Management, Social Services, or any professional school graduate program). Most applicants have, or are in the process of completing, an undergraduate or graduate degree. However, candidates are selected at a variety of career points, depending on their skills and prior experience. Applicants must also be computer-literate and Internet-savvy.
TO APPLY
All applicants are encouraged to explore our website before applying; demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, BENS’ mission is critical to a competitive application.
Please send a concise cover letter and a one-page resume to Lisa Jackson, Vice President, Member Services, at LJackson@bens.org. Applications should include all documents to be considered.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Programs Associates are integral to the BENS team. They have substantive administrative and data management responsibilities, supporting BENS’ organizational goals and the work BENS is doing with its government partners and members of the national security community. Work includes:
- Tracking teamwide KPIs and metrics, organizing the data into an easily digestible, visual format, and updating it frequently.
- Co-managing the Research Associate Internship Program, including recruitment, onboarding, management, and work delegation.
- Working with BENS staff to provide support for work and outreach with BENS national security-focused government partners and business leaders.
- Engaging with business leaders who are BENS members, and other public and private sector partners, to support BENS work.
- Assisting with the preparation of events, projects, and other Programs activities.
- Helping to draft products such as correspondence, media pieces, reports, and memos to government partners.
- Actively and continuously updating membership databases for Program-related efforts.
- General office administrative support.
SKILLS
- Effective data use and data management skills required.
o Advanced Excel proficiency required.
o Experience using Power BI or other data visualization software preferred. - Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills required.
- General knowledge of the national security landscape and current events.
- Leadership skills, including the ability to delegate, communicate, and manage small teams.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment and juggle multiple things at once required.
- Strong interpersonal and professional skills, including the ability to interact with senior business and industry executives and military and government leaders, required.
REQUIREMENTS
BENS accepts applicants from all backgrounds and degree programs. Strong writing and research skills are required, as is an interest in making government work more effectively with respect to national security efforts. Applicants must also be
computer-literate and Internet-savvy. For more information, please email Senior Associates Hannah Beitler and Isabelle Simoneaux at hbeitler@bens.org or isimoneaux@bens.org.
TO APPLY
All applicants are encouraged to explore our website before applying; demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, BENS’ mission is critical to a competitive application.
Please send a concise cover letter and a one-page resume and 2-3 page writing to Karen Kinnamont kkinnamont@bens.org. Applications should include all documents to be considered.
– This is not an entry position
General Task Description
The SVP/Policy is responsible for the design, coordination, and execution of the BENS Policy Agenda in close coordination and consultation with the President/CEO, the COO, other Senior Staff, and the Chair of the Board of Directors’ Policy Committee. The SVP/Policy will directly report to the COO and will have direct access to the President/CEO and the Chair of the Policy Committee on matters pertaining to the Policy Agenda. SVP/Policy is a team player understanding the true nature of collaboration.
Policy Agenda Development
The SVP/Policy is expected to proactively shape and recommend to the President/CEO, the COO, and the Policy Committee, a Policy Agenda that reflects projects and other engagements of national significance for BENS members and staff to undertake. The shaping of the agenda will be guided by one or more Enterprise-wide lines of effort that are informed by the major theme (s) in the national security and defense strategies and by proactive outreach discussions with interagency stakeholders, including the BENS Advisory Board, the Congress, the Executive, and other major players. The SVP/Policy is expected to work with the BENS staff to develop an approach for addressing each line of effort in consultation with interested Members, the President/CEO, and the COO.
Policy Execution
Upon approval of the Agenda, the SVP/Policy is expected to oversee its successful execution. The SVP/Policy is expected to work closely with the Policy Committee, all BENS Division Leaders, and Regional Directors to make sure the needed resources and support are available for the projects and engagements, and other activities BENS undertakes. The SVP/Policy is expected to make sure that sound project management plans are in place with appropriate objectives and time frames to guide work and will make annual contributions to the construction of the annual financial plan. The SVP/Policy will collaborate with the SVP/Engagement to ensure that each project has active, well-qualified member involvement. The SVP/Policy is to keep the COO abreast of any significant deviations in the plans. Keeping the Members informed of the progress being made in each line of effort is a priority. To that end, the SVP/Policy is expected to periodically update the Members on significant progress of the work and resultant accomplishments. The SVP for Policy will also oversee the organizational analytic agenda as determined by the BENS Councils and approved by the Project Committee.
Preparation for Board Meetings
The SVP/Policy is expected to work closely with the COO and the SVP/Communications in the preparation of Policy related input for the Policy Committee Meetings and the Board Meetings, as well as any other materials as requested by the COO.
Staff Management
The SVP/Policy is expected to manage and oversee the activities and workloads of BENS Policy staff, including the supervision of the interns. This specifically includes the mentorship of two subordinate Vice Presidents. Exercising sound performance management steps such as setting expectations, providing continuous feedback, and performance appraisal are as important to the staff as it is to BENS. The SVP/Policy will identify training and direction for new Policy staff members and assist the COO in recruiting Policy staff as necessary either for permanent or temporary employment.
BENS Day-to-Day Operations
Upon Request of the President/CEO and /or the COO, the SVP/Policy is expected to participate in and assist with activities and special projects associated with office management processes such as budget preparation, performance management, recruiting/hiring and strategic planning for the Policy Department.
Key Characteristics for the Senior Vice President for Policy
- Competency: The SVP for Policy will show a long history of competency including at least 15 years in leadership positions of increasing responsibility. This will include demonstrated leadership within the National Security Enterprise of the United States Government. The SVP for Policy will possess an advanced degree in a relevant area of concentration.
- Compassion: The SVP for Policy will demonstrate a work history of compassionate and caring leadership with an emphasis on employee development
- Collaborative: The SVP for Policy will approach all aspects of the job with an Enterprise perspective and a commitment to collaboration with the Board of Directors, EXCOM members, and peer leaders
- Corporate: The SVP for Policy will ideally have experience working in both the corporate world and government sector. This would preferably include at least 3 years of corporate experience.
Attributes
- The stellar ability to collaborate with other stakeholders;
- Master’s degree in relevant area of concentration;
- Excellent oral and written communications ability;
- Strong organizational and project management skills;
- Visionary, creative, and strategic thinker who is able to identify policy opportunities and develop and achieve a plan for success;
- High energy, maturity, and the ability to exercise strong judgment and discretion in advocacy matters at both the strategic and tactical levels;
- Self-starter, able to work independently and in a large setting, and an entrepreneurial spirit; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives;
- Ability to relate to and communicate with diverse groups of individuals as a trusted team player;
- Keen insight, awareness, and sensitivity into matters pertaining to National Security, threats, and opportunities.
This position is in Washington DC. The Ability to commute to the office is essential. If
interested, please send CV/Resume with Cover letter to kkinnamont@bens.org.