Competitive Intelligence Intern Jobs in Illinois

We are looking for a curious, resourceful, and technically minded intern to join the HEC leadership team for the summer. This is not a traditional market research internship. You will work directly with the Chief of Staff to identify, design, and implement operational improvements across the business-with a strong emphasis on leveraging AI tools to accelerate work that is currently manual, fragmented, or slow.

Your time will be split roughly equally between two tracks:

Track 1: AI Transformation & GTM Strategy - Supporting the development and rollout of AI-assisted workflows, building prototype tools, conducting competitive research on AI platforms in the market research industry, and contributing to go-to-market strategy materials.

Track 2: Pipeline & Financial Operations - Working with pipeline data, financial reporting, and operational processes to find efficiencies, automate recurring tasks, and build dashboards or tools that help SVPs and Directors make better decisions faster.

The common thread across both tracks is a bias toward building. We are looking for someone who sees a manual process and instinctively asks, "Can we automate this?" or "What would this look like if we designed it from scratch?"

Process Automation & Efficiency

• Audit existing manual workflows (e.g., data transfer between Excel files, reporting templates, norms database updates) and propose automation or streamlining solutions
• Build lightweight tools, scripts, or templates that reduce repetitive work for the Chief of Staff office and operational teams
• Support the design of improved data flows between legacy systems, identifying where AI-assisted processing or simple scripting can eliminate redundant steps
• Contribute to the norms database modernization effort-evaluating current update processes and prototyping more efficient approaches

AI Strategy & Workflow Development

• Use AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, and others) daily as core work instruments-not as novelties, but as default starting points for research, analysis, drafting, and problem-solving
• Help develop and document replicable AI-assisted workflows for common HEC tasks (e.g., competitive landscape scans, bid analysis, proposal drafting, financial commentary)
• Conduct competitive intelligence research on AI platforms and tools entering the healthcare market research space
• Contribute to AI go-to-market materials, including internal training guides, client-facing narratives, and workshop content

Pipeline, Financial & Business Analysis

• Support monthly service-line financial reviews by preparing data summaries, variance commentary, and supporting visuals
• Assist with pipeline reporting and analysis-tracking shifts, flagging risks, and helping produce bridge analyses and waterfall decks for leadership
• Help maintain and improve the HEC pipeline dashboard, including data refresh workflows and visualization enhancements
• Prepare ad-hoc analyses as needed to support SVP decision-making on staffing, capacity, account strategy, and vendor management

Deck-Building & Strategic Communication

• Draft and refine PowerPoint presentations for internal leadership audiences (not client-facing), including financial reviews, strategy updates, and operational proposals
• Translate complex data and analysis into clear, well-structured narratives appropriate for SVP-level consumption

Required

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in business, healthcare administration, data analytics, information systems, or a related field
• Demonstrated fluency with AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, or similar)-not just awareness, but regular use in academic or professional work. You should be comfortable prompting, iterating, and critically evaluating AI outputs.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Analytical mindset-comfortable working with data, spotting patterns, and structuring ambiguous problems
• Self-directed work style-this is a remote role reporting to a busy leader; you need to manage your own time, flag blockers early, and deliver without close supervision
• Clear written and verbal communication skills

Preferred (not required)

• Familiarity with any coding or scripting language (Python, JavaScript, SQL, VBA)-even at a beginner level
• Exposure to healthcare, pharmaceutical, or market research industries
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, Chart.js) or dashboard-building
• Interest in or coursework related to AI/ML, automation, or digital transformation
• Experience with SharePoint, Power Automate, or other Microsoft 365 productivity tools

• Direct exposure to how a healthcare market research practice operates-from pipeline forecasting to client strategy to financial management
• Hands-on, daily experience using AI tools in a real professional context, with mentorship on effective prompting, workflow design, and critical evaluation of AI outputs
• Financial and business operations skills: pipeline analysis, P&L interpretation, capacity planning, and executive-level reporting
• Strategic consulting skills: structuring arguments, building decks, framing insights for senior leadership
• A tangible portfolio piece-at least one tool, dashboard, or automation you designed and built that the business will continue to use after your internship
• A working relationship with senior leaders across the HEC practice, including SVPs in commercial strategy, MedTech, and operations

This role is designed as a summer internship, but we view it as a potential on-ramp to a longer-term relationship. Depending on mutual fit, performance, and budget availability, possible paths forward include:

• A return internship the following summer with expanded scope and responsibility
• Part-time engagement during the academic year on specific projects
• Consideration for full-time employment upon graduation

If you don't meet 100% of the requirements, we encourage all who feel they might be a fit for the opportunity to apply. We may consider a variety of backgrounds for a particular role and are also committed to considering candidates for available positions throughout our organization, not just the one you're applying to! 

In accordance with NY/CO/CA/WA law, the estimated compensation is $20.00 per hour.  Your final compensation will be determined based on several non-discriminatory factors which may include but are not limited to location, work experience, skills, knowledge, education and/or certifications. 

What's in it for you: 

At Ipsos you'll experience opportunities for Career Development, an exceptional benefits package (including generous PTO, healthcare plans, wellness benefits), a flexible workplace policy, and a strong collaborative culture. 

To find out more about all the great reasons to work at Ipsos, how we're making an impact around the world, and more about our benefits and employee programs, please visit: 
Why Work at Ipsos | US 

Commitment to Diversity 

Ipsos recognizes the necessity of building an inclusive culture that values each employee's individuality and diverse perspectives. For more than 40 years, our mission has been to generate and analyze data about society, markets, brands, and behaviors to provide our clients with the insights that elevate their understanding of the world. This could not be fulfilled without Ipsos' diverse employees who compile and analyze this data-they are the essence of who we are and what we do.