Chief Strategy & Operations Office Intern

About NORD

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the leading independent nonprofit organization representing all patients and families affected by rare diseases. Join our team and gain hands-on experience in nonprofit development and corporate engagement while supporting NORD’s mission to improve the lives of those impacted by rare diseases.

The Opportunity

The Chief Strategy & Operations Office Intern is an educational internship designed to provide students with direct exposure to executive leadership, nonprofit management, strategic planning, and organizational operations within a national patient advocacy organization.

Working under the mentorship of the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer (CSOO), the intern will observe and learn how organizational leaders evaluate challenges, develop strategy, manage resources, and support mission-driven programs. The internship is intended to complement the student's academic studies through structured learning experiences, research projects, leadership exposure, and professional development opportunities.

This internship is not intended to replace the work of paid employees. The primary purpose of the internship is educational and designed to provide practical experience relevant to the intern's academic and professional goals.

Educational Activities

The intern will participate in learning experiences that may include:

Executive Leadership Exposure

• Observing leadership meetings and strategic discussions, as appropriate.
• Participating in mentoring sessions with the CSOO.
• Learning about nonprofit governance, leadership, and organizational management.

Strategic Research Projects

• Conducting research on nonprofit management practices, healthcare trends, emerging technologies, workforce development, organizational effectiveness, and related topics.
• Reviewing industry reports and benchmarking information.
• Developing summaries and recommendations based on research findings.

Organizational Learning Opportunities

• Learning about the functions of Marketing & Communications, Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, and other operational areas.
• Interviewing organizational leaders to better understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Observing how organizational priorities are developed, implemented, and evaluated.

Capstone Project

The intern will complete a final project related to a strategic or operational topic identified jointly by the intern, academic institution (if applicable), and CSOO. The project will be presented at the conclusion of the internship and designed to demonstrate learning outcomes achieved during the experience.

Supervision

The intern will report directly to the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer and receive ongoing mentorship, guidance, and feedback throughout the internship.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or participate through a university-approved internship program.
• Pursuing studies in Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Human Resources, Information Systems, Finance, Public Health, or a related field.
• Ability to commit to a defined internship term.

Learning Objectives

Through this internship, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Gain exposure to executive leadership and organizational decision-making.
• Understand how nonprofit organizations develop and execute strategic priorities.
• Learn how departments collaborate to achieve organizational goals.
• Develop professional skills in research, analysis, communication, and presentation development.
• Explore career pathways in nonprofit leadership, healthcare administration, and organizational operations.

Working Conditions

This is a U.S.-based, fully remote, unpaid internship with a flexible structure and meaningful responsibility. Requires reliable internet access. Occasional virtual meetings with staff and sponsors will be scheduled during standard business hours.

We expect the internship to last a minimum of four months with flexibility to adjust start and end date based on student availability. 

Disclaimer

This internship is structured as an educational experience intended to benefit the student through observation, mentorship, research, and professional development. Interns will not replace paid employees, perform routine operational work, or assume responsibility for duties regularly assigned to staff members.

To Apply

Interested candidates may submit their resume and a brief summary of interest through NORD’s career site at www.rarediseases.org/careers

NORD is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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