Visual Communications and Design Intern

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is a dynamic, member-driven and impactful organization committed to promoting and sustaining the growth and development of the local restaurant industry while providing our members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming, and events.

RAMW offers year-round internship opportunities and is currently seeking a creative and detail-oriented Visual Communications and Design Intern to join our team. The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing our digital presence by creating compelling visual content, supporting social media platforms, and developing data visualizations that communicate the value of our work to members, policymakers, and the broader community. This internship provides a unique opportunity for individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in visual storytelling, digital communications, and graphic design, including:

  • Hands-on experience creating multimedia content including graphics, short-form videos, and photography for organizational communications.
  • Practical experience developing data visualizations that translate complex information into accessible and compelling visuals.
  • Experience in social media strategy development, content planning, and platform-specific best practices.
  • Opportunities to build the intern's professional network in the advocacy, hospitality, and small business sector.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Managing Director and Vice President of Operations and Administration, major responsibilities of the Visual Communications and Design Intern include:

  • Social Media Content Creation: Supporting planning, drafting, and scheduling content across RAMW platforms including Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and supporting strategies that grow engagement and audience reach.
  • Graphic Design: Assisting with creating of visual assets including social media graphics, event promotional materials, infographics, presentation slides, and branded templates using design tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Data Visualization: Developing charts, graphs, and infographics that communicate survey findings, economic data, and policy impacts to diverse audiences including members, policymakers, and media.
  • Photography and Video: Capturing and creating multimedia content—including short-form videos and photographs—to highlight RAMW programs, events, member restaurants, and advocacy work.
  • Event Coverage: Attending select RAMW events to gather live content, including evening and weekend coverage as needed, and supporting post-event content development and distribution.
  • Brand Management: Supporting the maintenance and application of RAMW visual brand standards across all communications platforms and materials.
  • Analytics and Insights: Monitoring social media engagement, tracking performance analytics, and identifying trends to support content strategy and organizational growth.
  • Content Research: Conducting research on industry trends, member news, and social media best practices to support content development and strategy.
  • Collaboration: Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to support visual communications that align with organizational priorities and advance the association's mission.

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate or graduate student with coursework or demonstrated interest in graphic design, visual communications, digital media, marketing, or related fields.
  • Strong design skills with experience using Canva; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is a plus.
  • Experience with or strong interest in social media content creation and platform management.
  • Comfort capturing content with a smartphone and basic video editing skills.
  • Ability to translate complex data into clear and visually engaging graphics and infographics.
  • Ability to problem solve and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Self-motivated with strong time management and organizational skills and willingness to ask questions as necessary.
  • Strong service orientation and passion for mission-driven work.
  • Computer competencies, including experience with G Suite tools (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides) and comfort learning new design and analytics tools.
  • Experience in the local food, beverage, and hospitality industry is a plus.

Apply Today

Internships are 18 to 24 hours per week in person at the RAMW office and paid $20 an hour. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and three samples of work to internships@ramw.org with the subject line “RAMW Internship Application: Visual Communications and Design - (Your Name)”. Work samples should include at least one academic sample (coursework, papers, projects completed for classes) and at least one applied sample (work completed for internships, student organizations, volunteer roles, independent projects, or other non-classroom settings).

RAMW is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or beliefs.

About RAMW 

For more than 100 years, RAMW has advocated and provided a community for more than 1,400 entrepreneurs and small businesses in the greater Washington area. We count among our members beloved neighborhood spots, family-owned businesses, homegrown restaurant groups, and national and regional favorites. Together we are one of the largest job creators in the District and leading contributors to revenues.