Employment & Internship Opportunities
Business Executives for National Security (BENS) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of senior business and industry executives who volunteer time and energy to share best practices from their corporate experience with military and government leaders across the national security enterprise. Our members have one goal: to make our country safer by assisting those leaders in identifying, developing, and applying solutions to business challenges confronting their commands and organizations. Founded in 1982, BENS has offices in New York, Washington D.C., Silicon Valley, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Boston.
Data Analyst & Office Assistant
The Data Analyst provides overall management of BENS’ data as pertains to entry, maintenance, and education of staff on proper processes to ensure data integrity and hygiene. Function includes data entry, oversight of adherence to security of constituents’ personally identifiable information (PII), and completion of entry of backlogged data. This position also provides general office support as an Office Assistant.
The Data Analyst & Office Assistant reports to the SVP for Finance & Administration.
ATTRIBUTES
Individual must be well-organized, detail oriented, and a self-starter, self-directed/driven person who is an out of the box thinker and is expected to develop methodologies for data analysis to evaluate successes in meeting goals, as well as track and define incremental progression. Requires working knowledge of standard office equipment (fax, copier, etc) and phone system. Must have a pleasant demeanor geared towards customer service, with the “customers” being defined both as BENS staff and external contacts.
Specific Job Responsibilities
- Data Analyst:
- Accounts Receivable
- Manage event registrations on BENS website
- Process website information request forms
- Maintain synchronization between Boardvantage/other utility software and Raiser’s Edge
- Perform routine data entry and constituent research
- Serve as primary data retrieval specialist and analyst
- Office Assistant:
- Meeting/Event/Catering management and coordination
- Kitchen Maintenance/Management
- Bathroom Supply Maintenance/Management
- Backup for Daily mail and package receipt and distribution
- Backup Preparation of outgoing mail and packages
- Backup for Supply Maintenance
- General Office/Facility Maintenance
- Administrative support for other departments as needed
- Office errands as needed
Additional Notes:
- Requires Raiser’s Edge Professional Certification
- Requires Microsoft Office Specialist base level certification, master level preferred
- Additional duties may be assigned on an as-needed basis
To Apply
All applicants are encouraged to explore our website before applying; demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, BENS’ mission is critical to a competitive application. Please send a concise cover letter and resume to Karen Kinnamont-Stewart at kkinnamont@bens.org. Applications should include all documents to be considered.
Vice President, Policy and Projects
The Vice President manages the Projects Team to develop, implement, and execute national-security related projects, while driving forward the organization’s strategic plan. This work involves partnership with multiple federal agencies and the legislative branch in the national security arena. The Vice President should have a strong working knowledge of the national security enterprise and its various entities. The Projects team is focused on issues related to convening business leaders and government leaders; providing products and insights on best business practices touching on issues ranging from management reform, technology and innovation, environmental resilience issues, industrial base challenges, and workforce development. The Vice President role requires relationship and team building and is results oriented prioritizing building and increasing BENS member engagement and impact on the national security enterprise. The Vice President position is a senior management role in the organization.
The Vice President for Policy and Projects directly reports to BENS’ Senior Vice President for Policy and Projects.
Qualifications
- 6 to 10 years professional experience in the public or private sector, including management experience;
- Advanced communication skills (oral and written);
- Confidence and ease working with high level government, non-government leaders, and business executives;
- Experience in national security preferred;
- Masters Degree or Juris Doctor preferred;
- Flexibility for periodic travel.
To Apply
All applicants are encouraged to explore our website before applying; demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, BENS’ mission is critical to a competitive application. Please send a concise cover letter and resume to Karen Kinnamont-Stewart at kkinnamont@bens.org. Applications should include all documents to be considered.
The Stanley A. Weiss Research Associate Internship Program
** The application for Summer 2022 Internships is currently closed. We encourage interested applicants to apply for the Fall 2022 term. **
BENS relies on our research associate interns. They contribute to all aspects of our work in applying best business practices to addressing the nation’s most critical security challenges. Research associates receive substantive research and writing assignments in BENS’ major areas of work. For a complete list of current project/policy efforts and descriptions, click here.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Research associate interns are integral to the BENS team. They have substantive research and administrative responsibilities, supporting BENS’ organizational goals and the work BENS is doing with government partners in the national security community. Work includes:
- Tracking and analyzing developments of relevant policy issues, including:
- Critical mineral supply/demand challenges;
- Resiliency of the energy grid from man-made and natural threats;
- Efforts to recruit and retain a talented national security workforce; and
- Transformative organizational changes to address great power competition.
- Working with BENS project/policy staff to provide supporting research for work with BENS national security-focused government partners and business leaders, including: literature reviews, report summaries, bibliographies, analyses of relevant articles.
- Engaging with business leaders who are BENS members, and other public and private sector partners, to support BENS work.
- Assisting with the preparation of and participating in project-related events, including drafting background memos, taking meeting notes, contributing to recommendations and next steps.
- Helping to draft products such as: media pieces, correspondence, reports and memos to government partners.
- Covering Congressional hearings or other key meetings, including taking notes and drafting follow up memoranda.
- Supporting the database needs for project-related efforts.
- Setting up and breaking down all project-related events.
- General office administrative support.
TERM
BENS offers research associate internship positions throughout the year. Spring terms typically run January-May, summer terms June-August, and fall terms September-December. Research associate interns are paid an hourly wage set at current D.C. minimum wage, and receive metro travel benefits. We prefer those who are available to work full-time for four or five days each week, but will consider other outstanding candidates as well.
REQUIREMENTS
BENS accepts applicants from all backgrounds and degree programs (e.g., International Affairs, Security Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Business, Engineering, technical programs, or any professional school graduate program). Most applicants have, or are in the process of completing, an undergraduate or graduate degree. However, candidates are selected at a variety of career points, depending on their skills and prior experience. Strong writing and research skills are required, as is an interest in making government work more effectively with respect to national security efforts. Applicants must also be computer-literate and Internet-savvy. For more information, please email Policy Associate Hannah Beitler at HBeitler@bens.org.
TO APPLY
All applicants are encouraged to explore our website before applying; demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, BENS’ mission is critical to a competitive application.
Please send a concise cover letter, a one-page resume, and a 2-3 page writing sample to Hannah Beitler, Policy Associate responsible for coordinating research associate internships, at HBeitler@bens.org. Applications should include all documents to be considered.
GENERAL TIMELINE FOR REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS
> Fall: July
> Spring: November
> Summer: April
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply at any time, however.