Nashville 2026 Summer Internship

Founded in 2016 by Jim Wilkinson, TrailRunner International is a global strategic communications firm headquartered in the U.S.A. TrailRunner provides crisis communications, financial communications, and ongoing corporate communications support to the world’s top enterprises, institutions, and individuals. TrailRunner has a broad and diverse group of global clients headquartered in North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The firm is experiencing significant growth driven by its signature commitment to client service and is committed to hiring professionals from diverse backgrounds who share its founders’ obsessive focus on helping their clients win. TrailRunner takes a team approach across diverse disciplines including media, law, finance, and regulatory affairs to address opportunities and challenges that require working outside of traditional categories.   

In addition to its Dallas/Fort Worth headquarters, TrailRunner International has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Nashville, New York, Shanghai and Truckee.  For more information about TrailRunner International, go to www.trailrunnerint.com.  

The Role 

TrailRunner International is seeking high-energy, detail-oriented, service-minded interns to support the firm’s clients worldwide. Interns work 40 hours per week starting June 1 - July 31, 2026 in any of the following office locations: Dallas/Fort Worth, Dubai, London, Nashville, New York City, and Truckee, California.  Our internship program is available to college rising seniors, recent graduates, and graduate degree students. TrailRunner interns serve as the pipeline for our full-time two-year Analyst (new graduate) positions. 70% of our Analysts begin their careers at TrailRunner as interns. 

The TrailRunner internship program is a paid internship designed to be educational, gratifying and valuable.  Each intern will be assigned to 2-4 client teams and will work as an active team member.  Interns will have structured assignments, regular check-ins, and additional development resources along the way. Our goal is to ensure that interns learn about the communications industry and develop their skills including research, writing, pitching and organizational skills such as project management.  

Program Highlights

• Work with TrailRunner's Human Resources team to identify and set your internship objectives
• The opportunity to work on 2-4 client teams
• A central repository of internship projects and work assignments to ensure thoughtful distribution of work
• Weekly all-intern meetings to share experiences, learnings, challenges and solutions
• 360 Learning: An opportunity to deliver a presentation/workshop to the entire global team
• Workshops/ “Lunch & Learns” led by seasoned TrailRunner professionals on relevant topics, such as media relations, crisis communications, client service best practices, and IPO communications
• A book club, featuring a book to hone your leadership and professional skills, facilitated by experts in the field
• Career coaching and guidance
  

Responsibilities

• Assist client teams in providing exceptional communication support to TrailRunner International’s global clients 
• Compile and maintain media lists of relevant reporters, publications, conferences and awards for client awareness; assist in researching, briefing and coordinating events, interviews, conferences, podcasts, and other client initiatives
• Produce high-quality first drafts of memos, briefing documents, research and analysis, and other common client-driven work products
• Coordinate project plans, internal meetings, and initiatives on client accounts
• Research and complete business briefings for current and prospective clients
• Monitor and maintain client topical awareness on relevant industry, competitor and company news
• Research and summarize broader trends in the media
• Use conventional and creative means to gather intel on behalf of clients and prospects
• Learn and adapt in an extremely fast-paced, ever-changing environment
  

Background and Qualifications

In addition to strong writing, research, and analytical skills, success as an Intern requires an unwavering commitment to helping clients and teammates win. The ability to maintain poise and good humor in dynamic, high-intensity situations is highly valued, given the nature of the work and the firm’s inclusive, collaborative culture. Candidates should possess a strong work ethic, personal drive, and intellectual curiosity.  

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, and research skills
• Commitment to teamwork, learning, and excellence, and a high degree of integrity
  
• Ability to organize and prioritize work
• A degree in public relations, communications, journalism, finance, business, or other related field is helpful but not required

Salary : $20