This 4-month long internship is a fantastic opportunity for someone seeking a first step in the world of content creation, communications, influencing policy. The post-holder will gain experience in communications methods for policy change, supporting the wider team to grow the influence and impact of theCentre’s research,evidenceand policy priorities.
The internship is designed to support the Centre’s work on audio and video communications. This includes short form video, reels, and working on our podcast. In addition, the post-holder will support and develop our data visualisation work. You’ll also work with the wider external affairs team, including on media, stakeholder engagement and public affairs.
About the Centre
Centre for Cities is an independent, non-partisan research and policy institute. Committed to helping Britain’s cities improve their economic performance, the Centre produces practical research and policy advice for city leaders,Whitehalland employers.
The centre has spent 20 years researching and producing evidence on the devolution agenda. The issues we work on are now central to both policy and politics –it’san exciting time to join us.
Job title: External Affairs Intern
Contract :4.5monthcontract – full-time
Salary: £28,860 pro rata per annum /£2,405 per month (London Living Wage)
Date: 14 September 2026– 29 January 2027
- Annual Leave entitlement: 10 days + 28 – 30 December
This is a full-time office-based position; Mon-Thu: 09:00 – 17:30 and Fri: 09:00 – 16:00. Hybrid/remote work will not be offered.
Job Duties/Key responsibilities:
- Develop content – specifically explainers ( see here as an example ),reelsand clips– for our digital channels. This includes channels we already have a presence onlike X, LinkedIn ,B luesky and YouTube, as well as channels we want to develop, like TikTok.
- Design content for channels from the Centre’s extensive archive of research and evidence.
- Design templates and ways of working for each of our digital channels (understanding that content should be optimised to suit different audiences and algorithmic preferences).
- Work alongside the Communications and Campaigns Manager to evolve and develop our podcast and grow its audience and reach. This includes editing and sharing clips and promoting the podcast content across our channels.
- Take the lead in developing one of our external social media channels.
- Helping / attending our events and support the public affairs and media team members.
Candidate profile:
As with all communications professionals,you’llneed to write well and enjoy working on multiple projects at the same time.To succeed in therole,you’llneed some technicalproficiency,and those requirements are outlined below.Don’tbe put off if youdon’tmeet all the criteria – this is a developmentroleand wedon’texpect you to be an expert.
Prior work experience in communications would be helpful but it’s not essential.
You might have studied communications, digital and creative media,policy, public affairs – or you might be an economics or urban policy graduate (if this is thecase,we’d need to see evidence that you have some experience in communications, in either a personal orprofessional capacity).
We value people who are keen to learn, take initiative,collaborateand get stuck in.
Essential skills:
- Video and audio editing proficiency
- Social platformfluency. You’llunderstand the basics of different platforms including the sort of audiences that congregate there. Even better if you know a bit about howalgorithmsoperateon different platforms.
- Strong writing and editingskills. Translating technical copy into plain English, especially for social platforms where attention is fleeting.
- Experience ofusing Adobe Cr eative Cloud, Canvaor Flourish
- Interest in cities/economics/public policy
- Basic filmingand productionskills (shooting interviews, editingetc)
Content Creator (part of External Affairs) Internship employer: Centre for Cities
At the Centre for Cities, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of London. Our internship offers not only hands-on experience in content creation and external affairs but also opportunities for personal and professional growth through mentorship and networking within the policy sector. Join us to make a meaningful impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment that values creativity and initiative.
