Business Development & Member relations Intern
The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego (SACC San Diego) was founded in 1989 and is the largest Swedish non-profit business organization in San Diego. Our mission is to promote and facilitate trade and commerce between Sweden and the greater San Diego area, while providing a broad spectrum of services to our members and enhancing Swedish-American networks in the U.S. and Sweden. We are now seeking highly motivated individuals for our Fall 2025 internship positions.
About the internship
The Business Development & Member Relations intern position is a six-month internship located in San Diego, CA, with a preferred start in July 2026.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience in marketing, communications, event execution, and international business development. Interns develop professional skills while building a strong network in one of the world’s leading regions for telecommunications, life sciences, defense, and innovation.
Interns work closely with the Board of Directors and leadership team and serve as key executors of the Chamber’s initiatives, projects, webinars, events, and daily operations. In short, this role plays an essential part in ensuring the overall success, visibility, and effectiveness of SACC San Diego.
Key Responsibilities
The Business Development & Member Relations Intern is responsible for supporting the growth and engagement of the Chamber’s network through strategic outreach, relationship management, and event execution.
The intern works closely with the Marketing & Communications team to coordinate promotion and visibility for events and initiatives.
The intern’s primary focus is to:
Plan and execute Chamber events, networking gatherings, and webinars
Coordinate speakers, sponsors, and partners for programs and virtual sessions
Identify relevant topics aligned with member interests and industry trends
Manage event logistics from concept to follow-up
Maintain close and consistent contact with the Chamber’s strategic partners and corporate members
Strengthen relationships through regular communication and engagement initiatives
Analyze target markets and identify potential new member companies
Initiate outreach to prospective members and develop a strong understanding of their business needs
Present membership value propositions and negotiate competitive membership terms
Support onboarding of new members to ensure long-term engagement
Overall, the intern’s responsibility is to drive membership growth, enhance member value, execute high-quality programming, and develop strong, sustainable relationships with both current and prospective members.
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates are welcome to apply for multiple positions at SACC, it's important to highlight that accepting an offered position and subsequently accepting a second position at SACC is not allowed. Doing so will result in disqualification from both positions.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a motivated and driven individual who is:
Currently enrolled in a university program or recently graduated within a relevant field
Able to work full-time for six consecutive months
Fluent in both oral and written Swedish and English
Comfortable working independently and collaboratively
Outgoing with strong communication skills
Highly organized with strong administrative capabilities
A Swedish citizen (required)
Preferable qualifications
Relevant practical work experience and/or extracurricular activities
Previous international experience (studying and/or working abroad)
Experience in marketing, communications, sales, or event planning
Project management or leadership experience
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage and influence others
Interest in international business, entrepreneurship, and transatlantic collaboration
Benefits
This is a six-month internship starting in July 2026. The internship does not provide monetary compensation as SACC-USA is a non-profit organization. As an intern abroad, you can apply for scholarships. Depending on the university program, some students may also be eligible for student aid from CSN. SACC-USA will assist with the visa application process. To be eligible for a J-1 visa, you must be a Swedish citizen.This position provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience and business-related skills, while also developing a professional international network. Working in a highly inspirational atmosphere and collaborating with industry leaders and professionals across various business sectors will allow you to acquire new experiences and enhance your skills. You will gain insight into how business is conducted in the U.S., as well as improve your English speaking and writing skills. Developing an understanding of U.S. customs and culture and becoming adept at cross-cultural communication are invaluable skills for your future career. Seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance to gain a competitive edge—both in Sweden and internationally.
How to apply
If you are interested in becoming our next Business Development & Member Relations intern, Please apply by clicking on this link to submit your application through SACC USA's page as soon as possible. Interviews will be held continuously and the position can be offered before the application deadline.
For questions and more information, please contact a management associate at SACC San Diego at operations@sacc-sandiego.org.