Fall Internship, Public Affairs

Overview

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is seeking an internship candidate to support Public Affairs Department initiatives, activities and priorities at our Washington, D.C. Headquarters office. The intern will broadly assist members of the Public Affairs Department and work with multiple teams. 

Department Description:  

PhRMA’s Public Affairs department is responsible for building, advancing, and defending the organization's public profile, and for supporting advocacy efforts on federal, state, and international public policy issues. Activities include:

• Media relations and social media engagement.
• Reputation management.
• Message development and opinion research.
• Video and digital production.
• Support and message alignment for member companies.

A successful candidate will gain experience across a wide range of skill sets. Examples include media relations, advocacy communications, paid, social & digital media, polling & research, and internal communications. The intern will have the opportunity to work on issues related to health care, prescription drug costs, the pharmaceutical supply chain, research and development, and others. 

This is a paid position.  This internship will run from September 16th to December 11th, 2026, and the intern will work up to 37.5 hours per week for a 3-month term.

Responsibilities

The intern’s responsibilities may include:

• Participating in writing and editing messaging and communications materials, including blog posts and other digital promotional pieces, op-eds, press releases, talking points, presentations and other materials.
• Supporting the ongoing development and execution of paid media campaigns.

• Researching legislation, policy issues, and tracking legislative and political activity.
• Drafting weekly updates, reports, correspondence and slide decks.
• Providing support for meetings, including gathering and assembling information.
• Attending internal meetings, coordinating with staff to develop agendas, and ensuring proper follow-up and output, including meeting summaries.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student in Communications, Political Science, Government Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Public Policy, or Public Health with an interest in health/life sciences policy and politics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Strong desire to build relationships/collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to strategically and creatively process information.
• Curious to stay abreast of media industry trends.
• Ability to manage and complete projects end to end in a timely manner.

Potential Salary

• $25 - $35 per hour, based on the level of the degree program.

Who we are   
 The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are laser focused on developing innovative medicines that transform lives and create a healthier world. Together, we are fighting for solutions to ensure patients can access and afford medicines that prevent, treat and cure disease. Over the last decade, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $800 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, and they support nearly five million jobs in the United States.