Are you looking for an opportunity to work with some of the most dynamic people in strategic communications? Would you like the chance to learn and develop your skills on some of the most interesting client briefs in the UK and internationally?

 

Are you interested in finding out more about communications, from political advisory to crisis and reputation management? Are you interested in working in a growing company, where each person is valued and encouraged to continually develop? 

 

Hawthorn Advisors’ internship programme offers the opportunity to work with a diverse and specialist team of strategic communications experts, gaining hands-on experience across a range of sectors and developing skills across communications disciplines in the following areas:

 

·       Corporate and financial strategic communications

·       Political advisory and policy

·       Digital strategy

·       Sustainability and purpose

·       Crisis and reputation management

·       Employee engagement

·       International strategic communications

·       Litigation 
 

To date, Hawthorn has offered permanent positions to many candidates from the internship programme, which is a key source of talent for the firm. Following this internship, Hawthorn will again plan to offer permanent positions to suitable candidates.

 

At Hawthorn, you will have the opportunity to work across a diverse mix of high-profile clients, industries, and specialisms with some of the most interesting organisations and individuals around the world. We give our teams the freedom and autonomy to make a real difference, to help our clients achieve great things, and to continuously strive to grow.

 

Candidates should be able to demonstrate sharp critical thinking, excellent research and written skills, as well as meticulous attention to detail. They should also be proactive, self-motivated, and thrive in a team environment. You do not need prior experience in communications, but you do need a strong interest in pursuing a career in the industry. 

 

We are seeking applications from university students and graduates, school leavers with strong academic credentials, and those seeking a career change. 

 

Candidates must be available to work for eight weeks during July and August 2026, starting Monday 06 July 2026. Internships are paid the equivalent pro rata London Living Wage for the eight-week period.

 

Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken English and must have the right to work in the UK.

To apply for the internship, please submit a CV and a cover letter of no more than 500 words which answers each of the following questions: 

·       Why are you interested in pursuing a career in strategic communications?

·       Identify a story in the media that you think has been driven by a good or poor communications strategy. Why did you choose this story? 

·       Which achievement are you most proud of, and why?

 
Hawthorn is committed to being an inclusive workplace, and we actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds. To encourage this, please note that the initial stage of the recruitment process (reviewing and shortlisting applications) will be blind, meaning we will remove personal information from CVs and Cover Letters. This includes Name, Pronouns/Gender, University, College or School, and Age (if provided) before sharing with our assessors to ensure an unbiased, fair selection process. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a written assessment and participate in a virtual interview with members of the team.

 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 26 April 2026 at 23:59. Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Hawthorn Advisors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, marriage/civil partnership, or disability. We comply with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment and promote an inclusive environment for neurodiversity.

We are an independent and agile strategic communications consultancy. For over 10 years, we’ve delivered exceptional work for individuals and organisations worldwide, from Forbes, Maybourne Hotels and Kering, to DAZN, Aegon, and News UK.

 

We’re small enough to give clients our full attention, yet big enough to handle the most complex and high-stakes briefs. Our dynamic, deeply connected team works across corporate communications, crisis management, and public affairs.

 

Our structure enables us to deliver fully integrated, data and behaviour-driven solutions. We’re ambitious, for ourselves and for our clients, and we’re growing every day.
 

We believe in empowering our people with autonomy, supporting innovation, and having fun along the way. Diversity of thought and background fuels our creativity and collaboration, and we’re committed to building an inclusive, connected culture where everyone can thrive.
 
Our People

At Hawthorn, we put our clients and our people at the heart of everything we do. We empower our colleagues with the freedom and autonomy to deliver outstanding results for our clients. We thrive on challenges, embrace innovative ideas, and believe in having fun along the way. If you’re seeking a dynamic environment that values creativity, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit, offers diverse and challenging opportunities, fosters continuous learning, and encourages collaboration among big thinkers, then Hawthorn is the place for you.

 

Building an inclusive and connected culture is crucial to our success. Hawthorn is a sum of its people, and we believe the best way to drive collaboration, unlock creativity, and enable innovation is through combining different perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Therefore, we are committed to building a diverse and equitable environment where everyone at Hawthorn feels they belong.