General position summary: This intern works with the branding unit to effectively and strategically implement the NCAA brand to support our mission and goals. The intern will work with national office staff and service partners to support consistent application of brand guidelines and creative development throughout the national office and championships.

Desired knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Related work experience in branding, marketing, events or communications.
• Experience applying brand guidelines, visual identity and related creative collateral development for an athletics department or organization or for other events.
• Understanding of applying brand principles or elements and ensuring a consistent experience for multiple audiences.
• Strong organizational, critical thinking, problem-solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and manage stakeholders and related expectations.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be proactive, flexible, resourceful and efficient to manage and execute projects on time, sometimes under pressure and short turnaround times.
• High level of professionalism, attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Comfort presenting to or sharing information with small- to medium-sized audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, as well as independently with minimal direction when needed.

Essential duties:

• Collaborate with national office staff, creative agency staff and other service partners to support the development, review and delivery of branded educational resources, graphics, signage and other creative collateral.
• Support internal and external application and use of NCAA brand guidelines.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of creative collateral and signage for NCAA events, including the NCAA Convention, select championships and events hosted by other departments in the national office.
• Support strategic communication and creative planning as needed.
• Use organization-wide project management software (Asana) to track projects and provide visibility to owned efforts.
• Conduct research efforts as needed.
• Assist with logo management and collection for specific championship efforts.
• Conduct quality assurance/review of materials to ensure materials are error-free and on brand.
• Develop relationships with diverse groups and business units adding to the branding team’s integration into the larger organization.
• Communicate with the office of legal affairs related to trademark and intellectual property efforts.

Download the Branding job description.

General position summary: The creative and digital intern assists the national office staff in communicating news and information through ncaa.org, social media, video production and other digital communication platforms.

Former interns in this role have accepted jobs as athletics administrators, reporters, video producers and social media coordinators for NCAA member schools and conferences, as well as media outlets like ESPN.

Desired knowledge, skills and abilities: Related work experience in content creation, social media platform management and written content production for digital platforms is desired. Other desired skills:

• Proven ability to communicate effectively through various channels.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and manage stakeholders and related expectations.
• Demonstrated understanding of social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and emerging platforms).
• Competent video editing skills and demonstrated understanding of video producing.
• Competent photography skills and understanding of editing programs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and tight deadlines, as well as work independently with basic direction.
• Strong organizational and ideation skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with knowledge of higher education and collegiate athletics.
• Basic ability in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premiere and Adobe AfterEffects.
• Strong computer skills and general understanding of Google Suite, Slack, Asana and Sprout.
• General understanding of brand management and crisis communications.
• Demonstrated ability to responsibly handle privileged and confidential information.
• Applicants interested in communications digital/creative internship positions could also be interested in ranking the Division II governance internship and championships social and digital internship into their top three because of similar skill set requirements.

Essential duties:

• Visual communication: Conceptualize, design and create varying content types to help explain the NCAA’s complex structures, legislation, decisions and various messaging points to a public audience.
• Social media community management: Assist in the day-to-day curation of NCAA social media platforms to communicate NCAA messages to the general public.
• Project management: Assist other departments with online initiatives, including webinars, videos, social media projects and campaigns, as assigned.
• Conceptualize, shoot and edit video with an eye on messaging to audiences on various platforms, as well as preproduction and postproduction duties.
• Photograph and edit internal NCAA events and meetings to promote the work the national office conducts across various platforms, as well as help facilitate staff professional headshots.
• Compiling information from multiple sources within the national office, member schools and outside organizations for use in daily update of membership and personnel records.
• Participate in communications departmental assignments, demonstrating collaboration that enhances team performance.

Download the Creative and Digital job description.

Are you passionate about strategic communications and public relations? Interested in becoming integrated into a team of PR professionals dedicated to providing enriching, hands-on experience to enhance your growth and development? Come join the external communications team. In this role, you will support the team with development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives, execute proactive and reactive public relations tactics and assist with reputation management, while telling the dynamic and evolving story of college athletics.

Desired knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Related work experience in public relations, journalism or communications, particularly in high-interest/low-trust settings.
• Excellent writing skills and proven ability to produce materials targeted toward specific audiences.
• Demonstrated ability/willingness to collaborate in a high-pressure environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of social media.
• Demonstrated understanding of media relations.
• Proven ability to work with members of the media.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of higher education and collegiate athletics, including current issues.
• Understanding of the overall branding and messaging goals of the NCAA.
• Strong computer skills.
• Critical thinking skills.

General position summary: This position works with the external communications group to effectively and strategically communicate the NCAA’s mission and goals. The intern will help communicate the NCAA's role as the voice of an association that plays a positive part in the lives of student-athletes. Audiences include, but are not limited to, the media, public, member schools (athletics and higher education), athletics conferences, student-athletes and internal staff.

Essential duties:

1. Work with the team to gain writing experience (i.e. statements, announcements, news stories, briefing documents, talking points) and offer writing support for communications staff.
2. Assist with issues management, including responding to inquiries from local, regional and national media and pitching positive NCAA and student-athlete stories to media.
3. Collaborate with external communications staff and partners across the national office to assist with events, projects, initiatives and strategic planning. Areas of potential support include championships and community engagement.
4. Serve as the primary point of contact for student media contacts and execute strategic outreach.
5. Develop and distribute media reports to update NCAA leadership and staff on trending NCAA and college athletics/industry news.

Where it can take you:

• Former interns in this role have accepted opportunities in the following fields:
  • Professional sports organizations, including the NBA, NFL and PGA.
  • College sports with the NCAA, Fiesta Bowl, Big Ten Conference, Arizona State University, University of Maryland, College Park, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Duke University.
  • Youth sports with USA Football.
  • Sports broadcast networks such as ESPN.
  • Professional athlete.

Download the External Communications job description.

General position summary: Assist the communications staff in supporting the mission of the NCAA as a writer and strategic content developer. The intern must be a strong, versatile writer and adept in interpersonal communication, time management and organization.

Desired knowledge, skills and abilities: The internal and membership communication intern is a writer with a background developing content for campus organizations, including athletics departments or university publications, and other organizations through previous internship experiences. This individual works well on collaborative projects but is also able to work independently with little or no supervision. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality, is essential to being successful in this role. Advanced written and verbal communication skills, strong decision-making ability and attention to detail are critical. The intern should be comfortable presenting to and/or sharing information with small- to medium-sized audiences.

Candidates are graduating seniors or recent graduates who were active leaders on campus and have previously worked or interned with athletics departments or communications organizations.

Essential duties:

• Contribute to content that illuminates the opportunities provided by playing college sports, tells current and former student-athlete stories, and communicates the mission, values and priorities of the
• Support the planning and onsite execution for communication efforts at NCAA events, including select championships and events hosted by other departments at the national office.
• Help manage and develop content for key newsletters to staff and the NCAA membership.
• Assist with the annual NCAA Convention, including helping with events and education sessions and communicating with awardees and their guests.
• Collaborate with other departments on communication
• Ensure all written content is accurate and meets group goals for communicating in clear, concise

Download the Internal and Membership Communication job description.