Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:

K.O. Strategies is a nationally award-winning boutique strategic consulting firm that helps clients tell their stories and achieve their goals. We provide a wide variety of services, including communications, public relations, advocacy, stakeholder relations, public affairs, board consulting, coaching, marketing, strategic planning, and speechwriting. Our diverse and creative team has decades of experience helping clients connect with target audiences, manage challenging issues, develop and implement strategies, strengthen their organization, and raise their profiles. Members of the KOS team have worked with and in nonprofits, government entities, associations, corporations, and educational institutions.

KOS has received several national and regional awards, including: Award of Excellence (Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)) Excellence in Public Relations/Golden Trumpet Award (Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC)) Excellence in Advocacy Award (Women in Government Relations - Washington, DC) Foremost Contribution to Improving Quality of Life in our Society through Public Relations/Edwin J. O'Shaughnessy Quality of Life Award (PCC) Silver Anvil Award Finalist, honoring the best public relations programs in the U.S. and the highest standards of performance in public relations (PRSA) Platinum Award Finalist, best overall public relations campaign (PCC)

Internship Description:

Our summer intern will work directly with KOS founder and CEO Kate O’Malley. KOS is seeking a summer intern to help with substantive client projects and priority firm projects, including but not limited to:

• Support strategy development and execution of grasstops outreach campaigns to advance public policy issues. This will include supporting outreach to and education of associations, nonprofits, businesses, and opinion leaders with the goal of engaging them in the issue.
• Help develop, write content for, and execute social media, outreach, communications, and other initiatives to raise awareness of KOS’ services and impact, and support business development.
• Participate in developing service offerings to support nonprofit organizations in responding to the current political landscape and other challenges.
• Support initiation of work with new clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in strategy and public policy
• Commitment to excellent work product and client service
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Flexibility to adjust to changing priorities
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Creativity and sense of vision
• Proficiency with LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms
• Proficiency with Google Drive, Word, and Excel

About the Supervisor(s):

KOS founder/CEO Kate O’Malley has provided strategic consulting services for more than 30 years, helping clients communicate with target audiences, manage challenging issues, develop and implement strategies, advocate to achieve priorities, and raise their profiles. Kate has extensive lobbying experience, served as lead policy advisor for a U.S. Senator, received a Skadden Fellowship to provide legal services, and worked for a human rights/mental health nonprofit. Kate earned her BA from the University of Notre Dame and JD from the University of Illinois, studying at Harvard Law School for her third year.

Location:

Primarily remote with frequent Zoom calls. In-person supervision in Palos Park and downtown Chicago as mutually agreed. Palos Park location is near Metra train stop.

Start and End Date:

Flexible, to comply with the Institute of Politics’ timeframe.