Client Acquisition & Consultancy Intern

This organisation is a London-based professional services business that supports senior executives and organisations through consultancy, executive networks, research, leadership development and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Working across a variety of industries, the team helps organisations address strategic challenges, identify opportunities and connect with relevant expertise. The environment is collaborative, commercially focused and well suited to an intern interested in consultancy, business development and client relationships.

Internship Overview

The Client Acquisition & Consultancy Intern will support the organisation’s work in identifying prospective clients, developing new business opportunities and delivering consultancy projects.

Please note that “acquisition” within this role refers to acquiring new clients and members rather than mergers and acquisitions.

The intern will conduct market and company research, identify relevant senior decision-makers and help create tailored approaches for prospective clients. They will also support consultancy projects by gathering information, analysing findings and contributing to client-facing reports and presentations.

Key Responsibilities

Client Acquisition and Business Development

• Research prospective clients, organisations and industry sectors.

• Identify relevant senior executives and key decision-makers.

• Build and maintain accurate prospect lists and company profiles.

• Support the development of new business pipelines.

• Assist with drafting personalised outreach emails and introductory materials.

• Help prepare proposals, presentations and supporting documents for prospective clients.

• Update CRM records and track engagement with prospective clients.

• Research potential partnership and membership opportunities.

• Monitor responses and support appropriate follow-up activity.

Consultancy and Research

• Conduct desk-based research into companies, industries and emerging business trends.

• Gather and organise qualitative and quantitative information.

• Support competitor analysis, benchmarking and market-mapping projects.

• Help identify common challenges, opportunities and priorities within target sectors.

• Assist with preparing client reports, briefing documents and presentations.

• Summarise research findings and communicate key insights clearly.

• Contribute ideas and recommendations during internal project discussions.

• Support the coordination and delivery of consultancy projects.

Client and Project Support

• Prepare background information ahead of client meetings.

• Take notes and record key actions during meetings where appropriate.

• Support project timelines, task tracking and internal coordination.

• Help ensure client information and project documents remain accurate and organised.

• Work collaboratively with consultancy, marketing and business development colleagues.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have:

• An interest in consultancy, business strategy, business development or client relationships.

• Strong research and analytical skills.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

• Confidence using Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.

• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.

• The ability to communicate professionally with colleagues and external contacts.

• Initiative and a willingness to contribute ideas.

• The ability to manage several tasks and deadlines simultaneously.

• An interest in working with senior executives and learning about different industries.

Experience with CRM platforms, market research, data analysis, presentation design or professional outreach would be beneficial but is not required.

Suitable Academic Backgrounds

This internship may be particularly suitable for students studying:

• Business or Business Administration

• Management

• Marketing

• Economics

• Finance

• International Business

• Entrepreneurship

• Communications

• Politics or International Relations

• Data Analytics

• Social Sciences

Applications are also welcomed from students in other disciplines who can demonstrate strong commercial awareness, research skills and an interest in consultancy.

Learning Outcomes

Through this internship, the intern will gain experience in:

• Client acquisition and business development.

• Market mapping and prospect identification.

• Professional communication and relationship building.

• Consultancy research and analysis.

• Creating client-facing reports, proposals and presentations.

• CRM management and pipeline tracking.

• Understanding the challenges faced by senior business leaders.

• Supporting consultancy projects from initial research through to delivery.

• Working within a professional, client-focused environment.

Skills Developed

• Commercial awareness

• Consultancy and problem-solving

• Business development

• Market and company research

• Data interpretation

• Client communication

• Professional writing

• Presentation development

• CRM and pipeline management

• Project coordination

• Teamwork and time management

Winmark Global

This leading global company is a market disruptor, an EdTech, a Government influencer, a pioneer of C-Suite networks, an executive education business and more. Their focus on value creation through transforming current and future C-Suites has been their constant goal. The company runs 16+ C-Suite networks each having their own World Class programme. Members can access their own and other programmes giving them a panoramic view of the C-Suite helping them to generate innovation, new synergies and avoid siloed thinking. It is super easy to use and members can communicate, ask questions, source know-how and reserve their places on 160+ meetings a year through a digital portal.

This internship is unpaid and requires an API program fee starting at $8,399. The fee covers the broader international program, including pre-departure services, housing, local logistics, on-site support, team-building activities, and post-program career support—including career coaching and access to the API Career Hub. Program fees vary by destination, duration, and included services.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

On-site Supervision and Support
Our internships include 24/7 on-site staff to support students working and living abroad. All students will also report to a supervisor at their internship site. Supervisors provide and oversee daily tasks, introduce the intern to team members, and mentor the intern in organizational agility, skill acquisition, and career readiness. Interns complete a midpoint and final evaluation, and supervisors complete a final evaluation of their interns. All work responsibilities and projects are approved in advance.

Academic Credit
Students on an internship have the opportunity to enroll in their home university for credit, or enroll in a course through API to transfer back to their university for credit. Email support-internships@apiexperience.com for more information and a syllabus.

Housing and Excursions
Housing and excursions are included in your internship and will be selectable during the application process.

Visa Sponsorship
This position does not offer visa sponsorship for non-US citizens

Visa Sponsorship (London, Edinburgh, Sydney only)
Selected candidates will be responsible for obtaining a temporary work visa with support from API, please note that this has an additional expense on the candidate. For more information visit our visa page