Corporate Communications Summer Intern (Hybrid)Who We Are Highline Warren is the leading national manufacturer and distributor of consumable and maintenance products for the automotive aftermarket. The company was formed through the strategic combination of Highline Aftermarket and Warren Distribution in 2020. With 20 manufacturing and distribution locations and nearly 1,800 employees, Highline Warren carries over 26,000 products for its more than 14,000 customers across North America. Overview of role Highline Warren is seeking an ambitious, self-motivated and talented intern for its corporate communications and engagement department during the summer of 2025. The growing department is a cornerstone of the company's ability to achieve its three-year strategic plan and this three- to four-month internship will offer an existing student an opportunity to gain on-the-job experience in a dynamic industry. This role will support both internal and external communications efforts across the company, with exposure to employee communications and campaigns, brand journalism, executive communications, community affairs, event planning, digital media and media relations. Highline Warren is headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. but its teammates are located all across North America. The head of communications, as well as most of the broader marketing leadership team, are located in Charlotte, N.C. and routinely meet in person. This role will be located in Charlotte, N.C. with the expectation of meeting in person at least twice per week. The remaining workdays will be remote. Location: Charlotte, North Carolina (no formal office setting; in-person meetings approximately 2x per week) Type: Hybrid Duration: May 2025 to August 2025 Schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours/week Responsibilities (subject to change based on emerging topics and issues)
- Support development of communications plans for internal and external topics, announcements and campaigns, accounting for a wide range of audiences and stakeholders. The specific topics and campaigns will be determined closer to the start date of the internship based on timing, emerging projects, etc. Examples include building strategies to expand the company's culture program, announcing donations to non-profit organizations and more.
- Develop compelling, creative content for the company's intranet, known as the Hub, to share strategic updates, leadership messages, information and human-interest stories with the nearly 1,800 teammates across North America, and leverage that content for brand journalism and social media.
- Support the execution of the company's external communications and community affairs strategy, including coordinating with external agencies as Highline Warren launches and/or expands community giving.
- Coordinate with manager of employee communications to spearhead planning and communication about employee volunteerism opportunities.
- Build upon company's existing key message and fact sheets library to enable sales team and other external-facing teammates to communicate with customers, investors and vendors to share the Highline Warren story.
- Participate in media training for senior leaders to learn more about executive communications, media relations and crisis communications in an applied setting.
- Present learnings, challenges and insights from internship with marketing leadership team before internship period ends to help Highline Warren continue to enhance our program.
Required skills, knowledge and abilities
- Go-getter personality with an eagerness to learn, willingness to roll up your sleeves to get the job done and focus on building relationships within the company.
- A passion for storytelling and creating compelling content.
- Interest in pursuing a job in corporate communications, communications/marketing agencies, community affairs and/or journalism upon graduation.
- Strong written communication skills, including being able to adapt content depending on audience and channel.
- Strong verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
- Strong knowledge of digital and social media platforms.
- Demonstrated executive presence.
- Evolving and expanding leadership in extracurricular activities.
Minimum experience and education
- Must be a current junior student at a college or university (rising senior student during the summer internship).
- Must be currently enrolled in a communications, public relations, digital communications, organizational communications or related undergraduate degree program.