Communications & Strategic Planning Intern

The Allegheny County Airport Authority [ACAA] invites you aboard our mission to create meaningful travel experiences in the aviation industry. As Pittsburgh’s gateway to the world, both Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport serve as beacons of change and connectivity for our region. As a member of our crew, you will directly serve, inspire, and advance our community in significant ways that impact the daily lives of others and the future of our organization. Whether you have a passion for travel, an appreciation for aeronautics and aviation, or an unparalleled love for the city of Pittsburgh, ACAA provides the opportunity for the next chapter of your career to take flight. 

Our culture is one that emphasizes high performance, innovation, and learning. We know that those things only happen when everyone who works in an organization is properly empowered, equipped, and enabled in their roles to make an impact. At ACAA success is a shared responsibility, and we look forward to supporting and developing the unique strengths you could bring to our team.

Job Summary

The ACAA’s Communications and Strategic Planning Internship will provide the student the student exposure to the communications aspect of working at an international airport and with the airline industry.   The intern will receive hands-on experience in communications activities, including branding and all forms of owned, earned, and paid media (advertising, public relations, events, social media, website development/deployment, digital marketing, etc.).

Here is how the Communications and Strategic Planning Intern will help:     

• Create content for the Airport Authority’s internal email newsletter, News You Need, print newsletter, The Standard, and external news site, Blue Sky News.
• Assist with the implementation of communications plans including internal and external media deliverables.
• Assist with internal communications activities: write internal communications messages, conduct research and interviews, edit and proofread materials. 
• Assist with media relations activities: write news releases, prepare background information, prepare staff media statements and maintain media lists.
• Provide support for internal and external delivery including emails, articles, newsletters, social media, digital screen copy, marketing copy, intranet and website content.
• Support planning and execution of Airport events. 
• Assist with managing project timelines as well as identify and manage project risks. 
• Monitor and report intranet page and search analytics to identify areas of interest. 
• Monitor and report social media trends for consideration on implementing. 
• Write and edit text for a variety of print and digital materials.
• Design and format communication materials.
• Contribute to communication/media strategies.
• Collaborate with team members across departments to develop communications. 
• Perform other related tasks as assigned or required.

The successful candidate for the role of Communications and Strategic Planning Intern will demonstrate the following key competencies needed in our culture:

• Communication - Proactively conveys a clear, convincing, and timely message; Communicates effectively using two-way communication through strong verbal, written, and listening skills
• Strategic Thinking - Thinks “big picture”; Forward thinking and adept at seeing future outcomes and results; Commits to a course of action to accomplish individual, team and organizational goals
• Team Builder - Recognizes the value of team-work and being an effective contributor to the team that drives desired results
• Customer Centricity - Aware of customer needs and the prioritization of our customers both internal and external; Makes decisions with customer in mind; Builds strong customer relationships

Qualifications

Requirements to apply for role of Communications and Strategic Planning Intern are:

• Must be enrolled as an undergraduate from an accredited four-year college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, Comparative Literature, or other Humanities or Business major.  
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Don’t meet every requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. As a Smarter Airport, we recognize that talent is not always related job history and skills come from valuable experiences that aren’t always shown on a resume. If you are excited to make a positive change for our region, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for our organization, whether it be this role or another.

About Allegheny County Airport Authority

Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader. 

Pittsburgh International Airport serves nearly 10 million passengers annually on 17 carriers and was named by Fast Company magazine as One of the Most Innovative Companies in the World as well as a finalist in its World Changing Ideas awards, both in 2020. PIT’s first-of-its-kind microgrid – which completely powers the airport campus through natural gas and solar energy – has won numerous awards for resiliency and sustainability. 

PIT is in the midst of an ambitious terminal modernization that will make the passenger experience more efficient and deliver real opportunity for the region. The $1.4 billion new terminal program will construct a smarter, greener airport, inspired by the best of our region. The updated terminal lands in 2025 and will be the first airport terminal in the U.S. to be built from the ground-up post-pandemic, designed and constructed with the highest public health standards in mind.

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