Public Affairs, Impact & Urbanism Fellowship (Spring 2027)

Orchestra
New York +3 more
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have prior internship or relevant work experience in public affairs, impact, or urbanism and are seeking hands-on exposure in a hybrid, in-office environment.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with prior public affairs or policy experience and a desire to work in government relations or social impact.
    — “Provides strategic communications, public affairs, and research support across government relations, public policy, real estate development, housing, economic development, and community engagement.”
  • Individuals who are comfortable managing multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, integrated communications environment.
    — “Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment”
  • Recent graduates with a focus on public affairs, urbanism, or related fields and a track record of contributing to mission-driven projects.
    — “To be considered, applicants must have already graduated (or be graduating before the start date) and have prior internship or relevant work experience in their selected practice area.”

Things to consider

  • Requires a minimum of 3 days per week in-office, which may limit flexibility for remote-preference candidates.
    — “Hybrid based in New York, NY or Washington, DC. Minimum 3 days per week in-office”
  • Compensation is hourly, which may be less competitive compared to traditional full-time roles.
    — “Compensation: $24/hour”
  • Permanent employment is not guaranteed and depends on performance and hiring needs.
    — “This program offers the potential for permanent, full-time employment. While full-time opportunities may become available, they are not guaranteed”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your experience with research, content drafting, and strategic communications in your application essay.
    — “Conduct research and monitor industry, market, and media trends”
  • Showcase your ability to work on integrated initiatives and collaborate across teams in your resume and references.
    — “Collaborate across teams on integrated initiatives”
  • Demonstrate proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office tools in your resume and application form.
    — “Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office”
  • Demonstrate eagerness to learn new platforms and adapt to evolving digital tools in your application essay.
    — “Digital fluency and eagerness to learn new platforms”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • active client work and business initiatives
  • exposure to integrated communications strategies
Typical background
college graduates with prior internship or relevant work experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Strategic CommunicationsPublic AffairsMedia EngagementBrand StorytellingBusiness Operations

Preferred

Integrated MarketingPublic PolicyReal Estate DevelopmentEconomic DevelopmentCommunity Engagement

Stack & domain

Strategic CommunicationsPublic AffairsMedia EngagementBrand StorytellingBusiness OperationsCommunicationTeamworkProblem SolvingCommunicationsImpactUrbanism

About the role

Original posting from Orchestra via Greenhouse

ABOUT ORCHESTRA

Orchestra is a strategic communications and marketing company built for today’s complex and fragmented world. From decoding audiences to designing bold strategies, Orchestra integrates people, platforms, and stories that stick to help clients build lasting influence. The company offers programs that span from the highest level strategic business counsel through to tactical execution. Orchestra brings together 700+ people with experience across consumer and lifestyle, technology, nonprofit and philanthropy, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and more. Made up of leading firms BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward, and Small Girls PR, Orchestra also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals, and Versus Media Group, a strategy-first political media team. Learn more at www.orchestraco.com.

People of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Orchestra is seeking highly motivated individuals to join our Spring 2027 Fellowship Program. This is a hands-on opportunity for college graduates that provides meaningful experience across strategic communications, public affairs, media engagement, brand storytelling, and business operations.

Fellows are embedded within a specific practice area and contribute to active client work and business initiatives while gaining exposure to how integrated communications strategies are developed and executed.

Duration: January 13, 2027 - July 2, 2027

Location: Hybrid based in New York, NY or Washington, DC. Minimum 3 days per week in-office

Compensation: $24/hour

This program offers the potential for permanent, full-time employment. While full-time opportunities may become available, they are not guaranteed and are contingent upon individual performance and the company's hiring needs at the time.

COMMUNICATIONS TRACKS

Applicants should apply to and will be considered for one primary practice area based on their background, interests, and prior experience. Candidates should select the area that best aligns with their experience and career interests.

Important Eligibility Requirement

To be considered, applicants must have already graduated (or be graduating before the start date) and have prior internship or relevant work experience in their selected practice area.

PRACTICE AREAS

Integrated Marketing

Supports integrated communications campaigns that blend media relations, social media, content, influencer engagement, events, and brand storytelling across multiple industries and client types.

Public Affairs, Impact & Urbanism

Provides strategic communications, public affairs, and research support across government relations, public policy, real estate development, housing, economic development, and community engagement. Partners with foundations, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and mission-driven brands to build awareness, drive engagement, and advance social impact initiatives.

Hospitality & Lifestyle

Supports clients across arts and culture, travel, tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, architecture, design, and lifestyle brands.

Consumer & Sports

Strategic narrative development for lifestyle, fashion, beauty, wellness brands, and advisory and communications support for teams, leagues, brands, and investors at the intersection of sports, media, and culture.

Technology

Works with startups, technology companies, investors, and innovators to build visibility, shape narratives, and support business growth.

Corporate (Business Development, Operations, Marketing, HR & Finance)

Supports the internal operations and growth of Orchestra, including business development, marketing, human resources, talent, finance, and other corporate functions.

THIS OPPORTUNITY: PUBLIC AFFAIRS, IMPACT & URBANISM

This fellowship program is part of Orchestra's Public Affairs, Impact & Urbanism practice areas.

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

As a Fellow, you will:

Conduct research and monitor industry, market, and media trends

Draft content, reports, presentations, and communications materials

Support client and internal projects from planning through execution

Participate in meetings, brainstorming sessions, client calls, and events

Collaborate across teams on integrated initiatives

Gain exposure to strategic communications, public affairs, and agency operations in a fast-paced environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates should possess:

A bachelor's degree (or will graduate before the start date)

Prior internship or relevant work experience in their selected practice area

Strong writing, research, analytical, and communication skills

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

Digital fluency and eagerness to learn new platforms

A strong interest in communications, marketing, public affairs, business, or related fields

HOW TO APPLY: 

To be considered, applicants must submit:

Resume (1-2 pages)

Highlight relevant professional, academic, internship, volunteer, or extracurricular experience.

Application Form

As part of the application, candidates will be asked to select one practice area of interest and complete a brief essay (500 words or less) describing how their experiences have prepared them for success in that area and why they are interested in pursuing a career in the field.

Application Deadline

Sunday, November 1, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning before the deadline, so we encourage candidates to apply early.

Due to application volume, we are unable to respond to all submissions. We will reach out directly to candidates selected for interviews. We kindly ask that you do not call, email, or contact us to confirm receipt of your application or inquire about your status.

#LI-HW1

#LI-Hybrid

Orchestra is the first communications company built for today’s media landscape. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communication professionals. Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.

To ensure that applicants are matched with the job that best suits their qualifications and interests, information that you submit may be shared with our network agencies. By providing your information, you are consenting to allow us and our subsidiaries to keep your information on file and to contact you regarding job opportunities, recruitment events and other related updates.

Source: Orchestra careers (Greenhouse)

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