Front Office & Grassroots Marketing Intern

Spring 2027 | January – Late April / May

Location: Charleston, SC
Department: Front Office / Marketing & Business Development
Commitment: Minimum 16 hours per week preferred
Compensation: College course credit + $15/hour for qualifying work outside regular business hours, weekends, and matchdays

About the Charleston Battery

The Charleston Battery are one of the most historic professional soccer clubs in the United States, competing in the USL Championship.

With a passionate fan base, a growing presence throughout the Lowcountry, and a commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences, the Battery continue to build one of the most exciting sports brands in Charleston.

We're looking for ambitious, creative, and outgoing individuals who want to be part of that growth.

About the Internship

We're looking for a self-starter who thrives outside their comfort zone, loves meeting new people, and isn't afraid to take initiative.

The Front Office & Grassroots Marketing Intern will play an active role in growing the Charleston Battery's presence throughout the community, introducing new fans and businesses to the club, and supporting marketing, ticket sales, and corporate partnership initiatives.

This is a hands-on position that combines grassroots marketing, creative content, event planning, and business development.

One day you might be creating social media content or designing a promotional graphic. The next, you could be attending a community festival, pitching a local business, making cold calls, or executing a creative guerrilla marketing campaign.

We're looking for someone who wants to make things happen, not wait for things to happen.

Key Responsibilities

Grassroots Marketing & Community Engagement

• Identify, plan, and execute grassroots marketing initiatives throughout Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry.
• Own and attend community events, festivals, college activations, and local business gatherings.
• Develop creative street team and guerrilla marketing campaigns to increase awareness of the Charleston Battery.
• Proactively engage with the public to promote matches, generate leads, and introduce new fans to the club.
• Identify new opportunities to expand the Battery's reach throughout the community.

Event Planning & Execution

• Assist with planning, organizing, and executing community events, promotional activations, and marketing initiatives.
• Take ownership of assigned events from initial concept through execution.
• Coordinate event logistics, promotional materials, staffing, and on-site activations.
• Help brainstorm new ways to create memorable fan experiences and generate excitement around the club.

Creative Marketing & Social Media

• Assist in creating engaging social media content, including short-form video, photography, and promotional graphics.
• Support graphic design needs for digital marketing, social media, grassroots campaigns, and community events.
• Brainstorm and execute creative content ideas that showcase the Battery brand, players, fans, and Charleston community.
• Support the marketing team with campaign execution and content development.

Sales Support & Business Development

• Conduct research and build targeted prospect lists of local businesses, organizations, schools, and potential customers.
• Support the ticket sales and corporate partnerships teams with lead generation and prospecting.
• Make outbound cold calls to prospective customers and businesses.
• Assist with B2B marketing campaigns designed to generate interest in corporate partnerships and group ticket opportunities.
• Support corporate partnership initiatives, including prospect research, outreach, activation planning, and fulfillment.
• Help identify new business opportunities throughout the Charleston market.

Matchday Marketing & Operations

• Assist with the execution of matchday marketing initiatives, fan engagement activities, and sponsor activations.
• Support grassroots promotions, giveaways, and other matchday experiences.
• Work alongside front office staff to ensure successful execution of marketing and partnership initiatives.
• Represent the Charleston Battery professionally while engaging with fans, partners, and guests.
• Attendance at all Charleston Battery home matches beginning in March is mandatory and non-negotiable.

We're looking for personality, ambition, creativity, and initiative just as much as experience.

Our Ideal Candidate Is:

• Outgoing & Confident: You're naturally extroverted, love meeting people, and have no problem approaching strangers or inserting yourself into a public environment.
• A Self-Starter: You don't need someone telling you what to do every hour. You identify opportunities, take initiative, and follow through.
• Creative: You bring fresh ideas to the table, think outside the box, and enjoy finding unconventional ways to get people's attention.
• Growth-Minded: You're eager to learn, receptive to feedback, willing to make mistakes, and constantly looking to improve.
• Comfortable with Rejection: Whether you're making cold calls or approaching strangers at an event, hearing "no" doesn't discourage you.
• Versatile: You're equally willing to design a social media graphic, pick up the phone, help set up an event, or spend an afternoon promoting the club around Charleston.
• Accountable: You take ownership of your responsibilities, manage your time effectively, and follow through on commitments.
• Passionate & Energetic: You bring enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a college or university and eligible to receive academic course credit for the internship.
• Preferred fields of study include marketing, business, sports management, communications, graphic design, or related disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable engaging with the public and making outbound sales calls.
• Basic knowledge of social media platforms and content creation.
• Experience with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar graphic design tools is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• Reliable transportation for community events and off-site activations.
• Must be available for all Charleston Battery home matches beginning in March.
• Previous experience in sports is not required. Attitude, work ethic, creativity, and willingness to learn are what matter most.

Internship Requirements & Compensation

Internship Dates: January – Late April / May 2027

Weekly Commitment: We are seeking candidates who can commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week, including after hours for community events.

Academic Credit:

This internship is offered for college course credit. All participants must be receiving academic credit through their college or university to be eligible for the Charleston Battery internship program.

Compensation:

Interns will receive $15 per hour for qualifying work performed outside regular business hours, on weekends, and on matchdays.

Matchday Attendance:

Attendance at all Charleston Battery home matches beginning in March is mandatory. Candidates must be able to accommodate matchday responsibilities, including evenings and weekends.

What You'll Gain

• Real-world experience working in the front office of a professional sports organization.
• Hands-on exposure to grassroots marketing, digital marketing, B2B marketing, ticket sales, and corporate partnerships.
• Opportunities to own projects and execute your own creative ideas.
• Experience with professional sales prospecting, cold calling, and relationship building.
• The opportunity to build meaningful relationships throughout Charleston's business and sports communities.
• Direct mentorship and collaboration with Charleston Battery front office professionals.
• Tangible projects and accomplishments to add to your professional portfolio and resume.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.