Vote Smart - Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Intern

Vote Smart Internship Program Overview

Are you passionate about empowering voters, advancing political relationships and partnerships, and working with CRM systems? Join Vote Smart’s Internship Program, where you’ll work alongside dedicated professionals committed to improving data accuracy, outreach, and client relationships. As a CRM Intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience in CRM systems and information management, all while supporting the mission of providing factual, unbiased information to voters across the country.

Details

• Duration: Summer 2025 semester, starting May 27, 2025, ending August 22, 2025.
• Commitment: 10–20 hours per week. If you are doing this internship for academic credit through your institution, your total and weekly hours may change.
• Location: Remote or Des Moines, IA office.
• Compensation: Unpaid; academic credit may be available through your institution.
• Eligibility: Candidates must be at minimum a Junior in College.

Overview

Vote Smart is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive intern to support the optimization and organization of our Salesforce CRM system. This hands-on role is ideal for someone eager to learn about CRM systems, nonprofit engagement strategies, and internal operations at a national-level organization. You will work closely with the Head of Research & External Engagement to ensure our database of leads, contacts, accounts, and organizations is clean, up-to-date, and as opportunities present, to strategically support outreach.

Responsibilities

Data Maintenance & Entry

• Audit and clean existing records to ensure data accuracy.
• Input and organize new and existing leads, contacts, accounts, and engagement records with careful detail.

Profile Building

• Build and enrich lead and client profiles through online sources and collaboration with the Head of Research and External Engagement.
• Track client interests, communication history, and organizational affiliations.

Lead Generation

• Research and identify potential partners, supporters, or collaborators through platforms such as LinkedIn, organizational websites, and more.
• Accurately log and categorize new leads in Salesforce with contextual notes, source tracking, and tags to support future outreach and relationship development.

Special Projects

• Attend discussions around client meetings to track key needs, follow-ups, and next steps.
• May have the opportunity to participate in client meetings to observe and engage in real-time discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and witness negotiation processes.

Required Skills

• Experience with Salesforce, CRM systems, data management, or digital tools.
• Spreadsheet excellence, digital records, and structured information tracking.
• An excellent attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to join meetings on short notice during your scheduled internship hours. Strong communication, documentation, and collaborative skills.
• Interest in civic engagement and organizational relationships.