Overview
As one of the world’s leading independent communications agencies, Ruder Finn fosters a What’s Next mindset — with an emphasis on curiosity and future thinking and a team that pushes boundaries, drives innovation, and operates as early adopters. Our culture is built on curiosity, creative independent thinking and a hunger for knowledge. Ruder Finn’s 16-week paid Executive Training (ET) Program provides recent graduates a unique opportunity to join a fast-paced, future-focused environment and learn from peers and leaders across the agency. Created in 1978, our ET Program offers Executive Trainees the opportunity to gain hands-on experience as integral members of account teams, working full-time on exciting client work across various sectors. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in lunch & learn sessions, workshops and hands-on client work, designed to build essential communications expertise and future-ready skills. The program runs approximately from early/mid-June through the end of September and requires in-person attendance at least once a week for lunch & learn sessions at our New York or Austin offices. The first week of the program requires mandatory in-person attendance for onboarding sessions. Responsibilities
Executive Trainees will have the opportunity to contribute to client meetings, research, media monitoring, content creation, meeting recaps, AI and technology-enabled projects, and more. Each Executive Trainee will support one of our core sectors or specialty groups. Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree (by start of program) Excellent written and verbal communication Fundamental research, writing, and critical-thinking skills Proactive mindset with ability to work independently and in a team setting Flexibility and enthusiasm to adapt to shifting priorities Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to juggle multiple assignments Team player with strong interpersonal skills Foundational understanding of public relations Interest in how data, AI, and emerging technologies influence integrated communications and storytelling Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel) Prior internship experience preferred, but not required Additional Information
ETs must be available to work full-time, 40 hours/week The anticipated compensation range for this position, at the time of posting, is $18.00-22.00/hour with eligibility for overtime. This range is an estimate based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, internal equity, geography, relevant years of experience, certifications, skills, abilities of the selected applicant, and other job-related qualifications ETs may have advancement opportunities upon completion of the program, including potential full-time roles based on performance and business needs Application Requirements
To apply, please submit a resume and writing sample and/or creative portfolio (Examples: press release, pitch letter, media kit, campus newspaper, etc.). Please note: The application deadline is March 20, 2026. Ruder Finn provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ruder Finn will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Ruder Finn believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
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As one of the world’s leading independent communications agencies, Ruder Finn fosters a What’s Next mindset — with an emphasis on curiosity and future thinking and a team that pushes boundaries, drives innovation, and operates as early adopters. Our culture is built on curiosity, creative independent thinking and a hunger for knowledge. Ruder Finn’s 16-week paid Executive Training (ET) Program provides recent graduates a unique opportunity to join a fast-paced, future-focused environment and learn from peers and leaders across the agency. Created in 1978, our ET Program offers Executive Trainees the opportunity to gain hands-on experience as integral members of account teams, working full-time on exciting client work across various sectors. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in lunch & learn sessions, workshops and hands-on client work, designed to build essential communications expertise and future-ready skills. The program runs approximately from early/mid-June through the end of September and requires in-person attendance at least once a week for lunch & learn sessions at our New York or Austin offices. The first week of the program requires mandatory in-person attendance for onboarding sessions. Responsibilities
Executive Trainees will have the opportunity to contribute to client meetings, research, media monitoring, content creation, meeting recaps, AI and technology-enabled projects, and more. Each Executive Trainee will support one of our core sectors or specialty groups. Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree (by start of program) Excellent written and verbal communication Fundamental research, writing, and critical-thinking skills Proactive mindset with ability to work independently and in a team setting Flexibility and enthusiasm to adapt to shifting priorities Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to juggle multiple assignments Team player with strong interpersonal skills Foundational understanding of public relations Interest in how data, AI, and emerging technologies influence integrated communications and storytelling Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel) Prior internship experience preferred, but not required Additional Information
ETs must be available to work full-time, 40 hours/week The anticipated compensation range for this position, at the time of posting, is $18.00-22.00/hour with eligibility for overtime. This range is an estimate based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, internal equity, geography, relevant years of experience, certifications, skills, abilities of the selected applicant, and other job-related qualifications ETs may have advancement opportunities upon completion of the program, including potential full-time roles based on performance and business needs Application Requirements
To apply, please submit a resume and writing sample and/or creative portfolio (Examples: press release, pitch letter, media kit, campus newspaper, etc.). Please note: The application deadline is March 20, 2026. Ruder Finn provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ruder Finn will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Ruder Finn believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
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