Spring Internship - YOS

Job Title:                               Spring Intern

Employment Status:               Part-time, Non-Exempt (20 hours per week)

Departments:                         Public Engagement

Reports To:                            Senior Director, Special Events & Partnerships

Program Duration:                  February 16th -  May 22nd 2026

There are two available internships, see descriptions below:

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation is a non-profit corporation that serves as the real estate developer and property manager of the Yard on behalf of its owner, the City of New York. BNYDC strives to provide an environment in which innovative companies can take root and grow.  

The Yard Opportunity Shop (YOS), a rotating retail incubator driving minority and women-owned business growth, providing turnkey space, promotional support, and direct-to-consumer access for emerging entrepreneurs. The adjacent Yard Work Gallery features products, objects, and artworks created at the Yard. Together, they are looking for two interns to support Retail Outreach & Events and Retail Operations.

The Retail Outreach & Events role is ideal for someone interested in retail, marketing, and community engagement. Working directly with entrepreneurs and BNYDC staff, you will gain practical experience in event planning and execution, audience development, outreach strategy, content creation for social media, data collection and evaluation, and professional communication within a mission-driven retail and cultural environment.

The Retail Operations role is ideal for someone interested in retail sales, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Participants will gain hands-on experience in retail operations, customer experience analysis, merchandising strategy, data collection, and professional communication while working in a real-world, mission-driven retail and gallery environment.

Retail Outreach & Events

• Collaborate with participating entrepreneurs to plan and execute outreach and promotional strategies aimed at attracting new customers (e.g. pop-ups, activations, etc.)
• Assist with events logistics including setup, breakdown, guest flow, and staff coordination
• Document programs & events through photos, video, and post-event summaries
• Develop marketing tactics & collateral, including flyering, tabling at community events, and partnership opportunities
• Assist with tracking outreach efforts and collecting data from participants
• Help to create short-form videos and other content to highlight the YOS, its businesses, and programs
• Support Assistant Curator on short videos in the exhibition Shaping a Living by preparing prompts, scheduling filming, etc.
• Support point-of-sale and daily retail operations, including sales transactions, opening, and closing procedures
• Assist with daily retail operations in YOS, including opening and closing procedures
• Support installation and deinstallation of retail and gallery spaces between sessions, including packing, labeling, and safely handling products (may involve standing, bending, and lifting light-to-moderate materials)

Retail Operations

• Support point-of-sale and daily retail operations, including sales transaction, opening, and closing procedures
• Monitor inventory levels using internal tracking systems to facilitate replenishment
• Research, test, and document merchandising strategies in collaboration with business owners
• Support customers with questions related to gallery items available for purchase
• Observe and document customer behavior & feedback using qualitative research methods
• Analyze daily and weekly sales data to identify best-selling products and performance trends
• Track key trends, including popular product categories, inquiries, and traffic patterns
• Synthesize findings into weekly insight briefs to inform sales and merchandising strategies
• Maintain organized records related to vendor participation and product performance
• Coordinate with property management staff to report & track maintenance needs
• Support installation and deinstallation of retail and gallery spaces between sessions, including packing, labeling, and safely handling products (may involve standing, bending, and lifting light-to-moderate materials)

Both positions will require the professional development and departmental engagement activities listed below:

• Participate in scheduled professional development activities, (e.g. tours, panels, workshops)
• Schedule informational interviews with BNYDC staff to learn about career paths
• Participate in regular supervisor check-ins to reflect on progress, learning objectives, and professional development

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong interest in retail operations, customer experience, small business support, entrepreneurship, and/or community-based programming
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, comfortable engaging directly with customers, business owners, and cross-functional teams
• Ability to observe, document, and synthesize quantitative and qualitative feedback
• Basic data literacy, comfortable working with spreadsheets, trackers, and simple reports
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to multi-task effectively
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and willingness to learn in a hands-on setting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Work, Excel) and ability to learn new systems

Qualifications

• Must be at least a college junior (must have at least half of the requirements needed for graduation) and be currently enrolled at an accredited college with interest in business, marketing, retail management, hospitality, entrepreneurship, or a related field
• 1 – 2 years of combined work, internship, and/or volunteer experience in a related field
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform light physical tasks such as bending, packing, labeling, and lifting light-to-moderate materials
• Must be able to work scheduled shifts, including some weekends and evenings as required