About Us
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and executive search firm. We help our clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today’s challenges and anticipate the digital, economic and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with their structure, culture and effectiveness to identifying, assessing and defining the best leadership for organizations, our teams bring their expertise to help clients address their most complex leadership issues. Listen to our clients and colleague share how we are improving the way the world is lead.
Our success over the past five decades is attributable to our collaborative culture and the outstanding quality of our people who are fiercely committed to leading with insights and building meaningful relationships. Our 470+ experienced consultants collaborate with our global team of Research, Knowledge and Project Coordinators in 47 offices across 23 countries around the world.
As a firm, we believe deeply in our core values, and use them to guide our daily work with our clients, and within our firm, as colleagues:
- Client Focused – We are fiercely committed to our clients. We work with integrity and consistently delivery exceptional quality.
- Inclusive – We value differences and accept each individual for who they are. This is not just about social good – it is smart business.
- Forward Thinking – We look beyond the obvious to what’s next – for our clients and ourselves. We are resourceful, creative, and nimble.
- Passionate – We put our hearts into our work. We actively support and rely upon each other as one global team.
What does an internship at RRA look like?
Our interns are part of an exciting, intensive 10-week summer program designed to provide a solid overview of the world of executive search and leadership advisory. Working with our Executive Search and Leadership Performance teams, interns will tackle a variety of projects focused on winning business for the firm, finding senior level executives to take on new opportunities presented by our clients, and developing insights to help our clients solve their most pressing leadership and talent challenges.
RRA interns will support a range of functions across our Industries based on location, including Business and Professional Services, Consumer, Education, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial & Natural Resources, Private Capital, Social Impact, and Technology, as well as our Capabilities, including Board & CEO Advisory, Corporate Officers, Culture, DE&I, Effectiveness, and Sustainability.
Below you’ll find locations details and their respective specialization:
- Atlanta – Specializes in a number of different industries, including Technology, Financial Services, Business and Professional Services.
- Boston – Specializes in Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare and Consumer, with work for the Corporate Officers practice being completed across all industries.
- Chicago – Specializes in Consumer, Financial Services, Technology, Industry/Natural Resources, Nonprofit, CEO, Board, CIO, HR, CFO, and Communications.
- Dallas – Specializes in Healthcare, Industrial, Energy and Natural Resources, Consumer and Private Equity, among others.
- Houston – Specializes in Financial Services, Consumer, Marketing, Nonprofit, and Industrial/Natural Resources.
- New York – Specializes across all major sectors.
- San Francisco – Specializes in Consumer (including Digital, Media, and eCommerce), Healthcare, Technology, Industrial/Natural Resources, and Financial Services.
- Washington DC – Specializes in Technology, Aerospace/Defense, and Healthcare industries, while remaining a center for excellence within the Nonprofit and External Affairs arenas.
RRA interns will support a range of functions across our Industries, including Business and Professional Services, Consumer, Education, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial & Natural Resources, Private Capital, Social Impact, and Technology, as well as our Capabilities, including Board & CEO Advisory, Corporate Officers, Culture, DE&I, Effectiveness, and Sustainability.
At the beginning of the summer, interns will begin onboarding in their local Hub, followed by an all-expenses paid trip to Dallas for a 2-day training that will provide more detail on our executive search and leadership advisory work, as well as an overview of the systems and processes we use to meet the needs of our clients. Over the course of the ten10 weeks, interns will come together weekly (via interactive web conferences between Hubs) to learn more about different areas of the RRA business and develop general professional skills.
Locally, interns will have the opportunity to quickly grasp and understand market dynamics and organizations, as well as witness how leadership decisions are made at the senior-most levels. By supporting the identification of qualified candidates and cultivating broader market intelligence, interns will be intricately involved in helping our clients attain senior leadership and talent solutions. Day-to-day, interns will be an integral part of the search process, working to gather industry, company, and personal information. Throughout the process, they will continuously interact and partner with RRA team members including Knowledge, Research and senior stakeholders of the firm.
Additional responsibilities include:
- Assisting with search strategy development by determining an appropriate target company universe and by identifying relevant sources and candidate prospects through RRA’s proprietary databases, as well as external trade publications, websites, and other online sources.
- Providing candidate identification consulting, including target mapping and organization chart breakdown.
- Expanding the firm’s knowledge base by both identifying new talent and increasing knowledge of the industries in which RRA works.
- Supporting proactive research projects that will lead to the development of white papers, case studies, and other knowledge- and analytical-based materials.
What can YOU gain from an RRA internship?
- Insight and exposure to a variety of industries and functional areas, including interactions with senior executives.
- Business communication (written and verbal), time management, and strategic- thinking skills through leveraging quantitative and qualitative analysis.
- Exceptional project management and organizational capabilities.
- A strong network of other interns and RRA colleagues committed to a fun, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating summer.
- Potential for full-time offer after you graduate.
Who are we looking for?
We welcome applicants of all disciplines. Successful candidates will have completed at least three years at a four-year college or university before the start of the internship, with an expected graduation date in Winter 2025 or Spring 2026.
We want bright, energetic, and entrepreneurial students with a drive for excellence and insatiable curiosity to join our team. Our successful interns have a strong team player orientation, collegial style, high sense of urgency, integrity, and a “can-do” attitude. These individuals will thrive on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks and will have the capacity to manage multiple projects to completion. As working with others is critical to the success of RRA, the ideal candidate will need to demonstrate exceptional communication skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues.
Additional competencies include:
Professional Acumen and Judgement
- Smart and effective critical thinker. Strategic acumen and quick to employ a practiced approach to their work. Demonstrated achievements in their professional and academic careers.
- Intellectually nimble and adaptable with initiative and assertiveness. Proactive and anticipates needs readily but is also flexible and can react quickly to changing priorities.
- Genuine interest and curiosity in people and business.
Executing for Results
- Strongly oriented towards the quality of their output with the capacity to handle a high workload.
- Highly organized with outstanding time management and the ability to prioritize effectively.
- Excellent at servicing internal “clients” through appropriate communication and timely deliverables. Remains balanced in stressful situations.
- Experience in delivering presentations around process, analysis, and key findings/results of their research and the ability to have an active dialogue around questions and assessment of their work.
Team-Orientation
- Comfortable working on multiple projects across different project teams.
- Self-motivated and can work autonomously.
- Proactive in seeking feedback and receptive to others’ constructive ideas.
- Anticipates needs readily but is also flexible and can react quickly to changing priorities.
Summer 2025 Details
Our Summer Analyst program will run from June to August 2025. Interns will be based in one of 8 Hub locations across the US (Atlanta/Boston/Chicago/Dallas/Houston/New York/San Francisco/Washington DC). This is a full time, paid summer opportunity.
How do I apply?
To signal your interest in an RRA internship, please submit a copy of your resume. Please also indicate which of our Hub locations you are interested in applying for (up to 4).
The Center of Excellence Program
Our Summer Analyst program is a pipeline to our 2-year Center of Excellence program in Dallas, TX. The Center of Excellence (CoE) is a 2-year program that offers a comprehensive development experience in search. Analysts gain practical skills through on-the-job training and real-world projects. They interact with top clients and candidates, expanding their network. Peers and senior colleagues provide guidance and support throughout an analyst journey.
Analysts can explore different industries and sectors, choosing a major within 6 months based on interest and business need. Additional training equips them for success at RRA and beyond. Completion of the CoE program can lead to a performance-based promotion to Sr. Analyst or transfer to Research Associate in a hub.
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
Samantha Wayvines
Center of Excellence Lead, Americas
Russell Reynolds Associates
2001 Ross Ave
Suite 4500
Dallas, TX 75201
samantha.wayvines@russellreynolds.com
W: 1.469.749.7689