Jump-start your career in politics! Join the Leadership Institute staff team as a summer 2026 intern.

The internship will run from May 11, 2026 through August 14, 2026.

This intensive program allows you to gain professional experience in a real working environment, further your knowledge of the conservative movement, and sharpen your skills for future success. Leadership Institute interns receive free housing, an $825 monthly stipend, priority access to the Institute’s Employment Placement Service, free tuition to all Leadership Institute schools and workshops, weekly private lunches and dinners with conservative VIPs, and the opportunity to build public policy references.

For more information, please visit us on the web by clicking here.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a letter of recommendation through Conservative Jobs.

Cover letters and letters of recommendation should be addressed to the Intern Program Manager, Arin Steiner.

The Leadership Institute seeks individuals interested in careers in media or content production to join the studio's team to become a Studio Fellow.

The Studio Fellowship Program will teach and train those interested in how to produce video, podcasts, photographic content, and graphic design. Work will be in coordination with all departments of the Leadership Institute, including campus, events, programs, and external affairs as well as other conservative groups that will benefit from the Studio Fellows work.

The candidate should possess an interest in graphic design and video editing or marketing. They will assist with the daily content needs of both LI and partner organizations. They will help develop social media graphics, marketing materials, presentations, and videos. The position requires becoming familiar with the studio space in the Leadership Institute for the purposes of external rentals and for recording video and podcast content in-house. They will become fluent in the Leadership Institute’s branding language.

Candidates for this position must have a knowledge and understanding of conservative philosophy and possess strong interpersonal skills, excelling in both written and oral communication. This position involves relocation to Virginia and a moderate amount of travel. At the completion of the program, qualified individuals will receive an equipment stipend to purchase necessary gear to help jumpstart their careers.

Interested individuals should apply here and then send a link to their portfolio and cover letter to chuynh@leadershipinstitute.org

Compensation:

Fellows will receive the following.

• $23,000 salary for six months with the potential to extend to one year
• at the completion of the program, they will receive 7,000 to purchase equipment.

Position Responsibilities:

-      Determine production requirements by reviewing client requirements and considering internal scheduling factors.

-      Develop content strategies by examining project objectives and planning, scheduling, and completing design and production requirements.

-      Improve creative standards

-      Media and production file storage, including backing up all media, creating and maintaining file storage solutions, transferring files to external clients and LI departments

-      Travel with the team for live streaming events and taking footage of various LI training

-      Attended training to help better develop skills

About Leadership Institute 

Founded in 1979 by its president, Morton C. Blackwell, Leadership Institute (LI) -- a non-partisan 501(c)3 nonprofit -- provides training in campaigns, fundraising, grassroots organizing, youth politics, and communications. The Institute teaches conservatives of all ages how to succeed in politics, government, and the media. Since its founding, LI has trained more than 300,000 conservative activists, leaders, and students. 

Position Overview The Leadership Institute (LI) is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Programs Operations Coordinator to support the Communications team and broader organization by managing inventory, coordinating logistics, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The Coordinator will also manage monthly orders for staff name badges and business cards, oversee the cleanliness and readiness of LI’s dormitory and staff apartment for all groups, and coordinate special cleanings for headquarters, including laundry services and event spaces. Additional duties include managing kitchen and facility supply inventories, restocking common areas daily, supporting events, and assisting with general administrative tasks as needed.

This position is an entry level position with a pathway for career and organizational advancement through opportunities to crosstrain with other divisions of LI (Marketing, Design, Studios, etc.).

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain accurate inventory of LI publications and marketing materials to ensure consistent availability.

• Coordinate the shipment of marketing materials and ensure their organized distribution throughout the office.

• Coordinate monthly orders for staff name badges and business cards.

• Ensure LI’s dormitory and staff apartment is clean and orderly for every external or internal group.

• Coordinate all special cleanings for LI Headquarters, including laundry orders and events space cleanings.

• Manage inventory and daily restock of kitchens and facilities, including orders of soda, coffee and kitchen supplies.

• General events support as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Excellent communication and vendor coordination abilities.

• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Must be able to lift a 50 lbs box above your head.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in administrative support, logistics, or supply coordination preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite/Google, especially Excel/Sheets experience with inventory tracking software a plus.

• Proficiency in Adobe software.

• Familiarity with project management software.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Environment This is a full-time, in-office position based in Leadership Institute’s headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Additional Qualifications and Compensation

• You must complete the Public Policy Questionnaire (PPQ) and an uploaded resume to apply.

• An understanding of conservative ideals and principles is a must.

• We love hiring people with a variety of work backgrounds and experiences – and our team would love to build upon those skills.

• Salary starts at $55,000 a year and is paired with an excellent healthcare plan, and transportation assistance provided.

Summary

This office-based role facilitates the flow of information and resources between the Leadership Institute, students, and groups within LI’s Campus Leadership Program (CLP) network.  The Regional Field Manager will distribute LI grants, scholarships, and resources among members within the region.  In addition, the Manager will conduct a semi-annual audit of the groups.

Objectives:

Includes the following, the exercising of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance and other duties as required.

 Membership Relations

a)     Market and distribute LI trainings and resources to students in your region.

b)    Research and identify LI training, and recruitment opportunities.

c)     Research and analyze the most effective campuses to place Campus Ambassadors.

d)    Approve and award Campus Ambassadors scholarships to students within the region.

e)     Approve or deny speaker grants and requests

f)     Approve or deny activism kits to groups within the regions

g)    Perform a semi-annual membership audit of all groups within your region.

h)    Review, analyze, and determine membership status of groups within your region.

i)      Analyze the activity and effectiveness of existing Campus Ambassadors at the beginning of each semester to renew or deny their placement in the program.

Program Management

a)     Manage regional travel budget each semester

b)    Decide what groups receive speaker grants

c)     Manage regional speaker budget and authorize grant payments to speakers.

d)    Recruit, evaluate, and elected candidates for Field Staff Interviews.

Supervisory

Supervisory

Responsibilities:        

Oversee, budget for, and pay Campus Ambassadors

Qualifications:   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and make independent decisions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, or ability required.

Well organized, have the ability to handle several projects at one time under time constraints and a willingness to travel and work nights and weekends. Experience as a campus activist or political grassroots organizer is preferred.

Summary:

LI Recruiters identify and recruit students to start conservative student organizations or publications on campus within an assigned territory.  Recruiters will develop a territory action plan to evaluate all college campuses within the territory and assign recruitment and training resources.  Recruiters will also approve or deny membership into LI’s CLP network and develop a strategic activism and training plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following, the exercising of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance and other duties as required.

Regional Network Development:

a)     Build and maintain relationships between LI, students, and groups within the region.

b)    Research, analyze and recruit conservative students to participate in LI programs.

c)     Make membership decisions. Analyze and determine which groups within the region qualify to participate in LI’s CLP network.

d)    Develop a strategic plan to expand membership with LI in a territory each semester.

e)     Create and develop regional training plan for your territory.

f)     Approve and distribute LI resources to CLP groups.

g)    Approve or deny requests from new CLP groups to join LI’s CLP network.

h)    Approve or deny activism grant requests for group in the LI network

i)      Evaluate all higher education institutions to determine overall compatibility with CLP programs.

j)      Build relationships with partner organization counterparts

 Program Management:

a)     Manage your territories’ activism budget

b)    Approve or deny students for the Campus Ambassador program  membership

c)     Approve or deny scholarships for Leadership Institute trainings

Qualifications:      

Candidates for this position must have a knowledge and understanding of conservative philosophy with a dedication to grassroots activism and organization. Candidates should also have strong interpersonal skills and should excel in both written and oral communication.

Summary:

LI Recruiters identify and recruit students to start conservative student organizations or publications on campus within an assigned territory.  Recruiters will develop a territory action plan to evaluate all college campuses within the territory and assign recruitment and training resources.  Recruiters will also approve or deny membership into LI’s CLP network and develop a strategic activism and training plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following, the exercising of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance and other duties as required.

Regional Network Development:

a)     Build and maintain relationships between LI, students, and groups within the region.

b)    Research, analyze, and recruit conservative students to participate in LI programs.

c)     Make membership decisions. Analyze and determine which groups within the region qualify to participate in LI’s CLP network.

d)    Develop a strategic plan to expand membership with LI in a territory each semester.

e)     Create and develop a regional training plan for your territory.

f)     Approve and distribute LI resources to CLP groups.

g)    Approve or deny requests from new CLP groups to join LI’s CLP network.

h)    Approve or deny activism grant requests for the group in the LI network

i)      Evaluate all higher education institutions to determine overall compatibility with CLP programs.

j)      Build relationships with partner organization counterparts

 Program Management:

a)     Manage your territories’ activism budget

b)    Approve or deny students for the Campus Ambassador program  membership

c)     Approve or deny scholarships for Leadership Institute trainings

Qualifications:      

Candidates for this position must have a knowledge and understanding of conservative philosophy with a dedication to grassroots activism and organization. Candidates should also have strong interpersonal skills and should excel in both written and oral communication.

Summary:

LI Recruiters identify and recruit students to start conservative student organizations or publications on campus within an assigned territory.  Recruiters will develop a territory action plan to evaluate all college campuses within the territory and assign recruitment and training resources.  Recruiters will also approve or deny membership into LI’s CLP network and develop a strategic activism and training plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following, the exercising of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance and other duties as required.

Regional Network Development:

a)     Build and maintain relationships between LI, students, and groups within the region.

b)    Research, analyze and recruit conservative students to participate in LI programs.

c)     Make membership decisions. Analyze and determine which groups within the region qualify to participate in LI’s CLP network.

d)    Develop a strategic plan to expand membership with LI in a territory each semester.

e)     Create and develop regional training plan for your territory.

f)     Approve and distribute LI resources to CLP groups.

g)    Approve or deny requests from new CLP groups to join LI’s CLP network.

h)    Approve or deny activism grant requests for group in the LI network

i)      Evaluate all higher education institutions to determine overall compatibility with CLP programs.

j)      Build relationships with partner organization counterparts

 Program Management:

a)     Manage your territories’ activism budget

b)    Approve or deny students for the Campus Ambassador program  membership

c)     Approve or deny scholarships for Leadership Institute trainings

Qualifications:           

Candidates for this position must have a knowledge and understanding of conservative philosophy with a dedication to grassroots activism and organization. Candidates should also have strong interpersonal skills and should excel in both written and oral communication.

Summary:

LI Recruiters identify and recruit students to start conservative student organizations or publications on campus within an assigned territory.  Recruiters will develop a territory action plan to evaluate all college campuses within the territory and assign recruitment and training resources.  Recruiters will also approve or deny membership into LI’s CLP network and develop a strategic activism and training plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following, the exercising of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance and other duties as required.

Regional Network Development:

a)     Build and maintain relationships between LI, students, and groups within the region.

b)    Research, analyze, and recruit conservative students to participate in LI programs.

c)     Make membership decisions. Analyze and determine which groups within the region qualify to participate in LI’s CLP network.

d)    Develop a strategic plan to expand membership with LI in a territory each semester.

e)     Create and develop a regional training plan for your territory.

f)     Approve and distribute LI resources to CLP groups.

g)    Approve or deny requests from new CLP groups to join LI’s CLP network.

h)    Approve or deny activism grant requests for the group in the LI network

i)      Evaluate all higher education institutions to determine overall compatibility with CLP programs.

j)      Build relationships with partner organization counterparts

 Program Management:

a)     Manage your territories’ activism budget

b)    Approve or deny students for the Campus Ambassador program  membership

c)     Approve or deny scholarships for Leadership Institute trainings

Qualifications:      

Candidates for this position must have a knowledge and understanding of conservative philosophy with a dedication to grassroots activism and organization. Candidates should also have strong interpersonal skills and should excel in both written and oral communication.