Job Description
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) was founded and performed its first concert at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Music Hall in 1896. Today, the PSO is one of the finest, most acclaimed orchestras in the world, having toured and recorded extensively throughout its history and boasts of multiple GRAMMY nominations and wins. It also owns and operates Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, an historic movie theater which in 1971 became home to the PSO and the cornerstone of what is now called Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. In 2008-2009, Austrian conductor Manfred Honeck became the PSO’s ninth music director following in the luminous footsteps of Victor Herbert, Fritz Reiner, William Steinberg, André Previn, and Lorin Maazel, among others. In addition to presenting more than 100 performances each year at Heinz Hall, both with and without the Orchestra, PSO boasts award-winning Learning & Community Engagement programs that reach more than 30,000 youth and adults each year in and around the Western Pennsylvania region.
INTERNSHIP TITLE: Special Events Intern
DATES: Summer 2025 with request to stay on through September 20, 2025 Gala
(Can be flexible for fall classes)
JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE: - The Special Events Intern assists in the design and implementation of the PSO’s fundraising and donor engagement events. The position will primarily focus on the PSO’s largest annual fundraising event, the Opening Night Gala on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Additionally, the position will support summer fundraising events, as well as other cultivation and engagement events. There will also be an opportunity to work with other areas of the Development team on special projects including: donor and prospect research, proposal/letter writing, donor benefits benchmarking, etc.
- Reports to: Manager of Events and Director of Events
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Play a key role in assisting with the design, organization, and implementation of the PSO’s annual Gala.
- Assist with auction donation requests and help in coordinating Auction communications.
- Take part in event logistics and orders (catering, décor, sound and lighting).
- Assist in writing program book copy, communications with sponsors for program ads and proofreading.
- Assist in coordination of summer event program pages and attend events June 11 and July 22, others TBD.
- Maintain database of PSO event attendees and coordinate information within the Tessitura electronic management system and OneCause event management software. Assist the team by pulling of reports and lists, cross referencing donor database to ensure all attendees are accounted for.
- Assist in the preparation of all correspondence and reports regarding Special Events for staff and volunteers.
- Participate in Development department donor engagement events and planning for the 25/26 Season.
- Assist in managing revenue and expenses of events, budgetary review, etc.
- Other projects as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS: - Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate level studies.
- Interest in learning more about event planning and fundraising in non-profit organizations, preferably with past events or catering experience.
- Excellent organizational skills, verbal and writing skills, and excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to interact comfortably and effectively volunteer leadership.
- Available 20 hours per week (Monday through Friday) May-August 2025, start and end dates to be negotiated based on candidate’s availability. Commitment to work an occasional evening or weekend based on event schedule.
- Expectation to fulfill the internship through the end of the Gala on Saturday, September 20, 2025 and participate on the entire day of the event setup and production. Internship can be continued through the Fall if interested.
COMPENSATION: This is an unpaid position, but the intern may qualify for pay through Federal Community Service Work Study.
Job Tags
Summer work, Flexible hours, Night shift, Saturday, Afternoon shift, Monday to Friday,