Summer Associate
High Lantern Group 2026 Summer Associate Program: Asheville, NC
High Lantern Group (HLG) is a strategic positioning and reputation management consultancy focused on developing early-stage strategy and communications. We partner with clients to take on the world’s most complex issues. High Lantern Group works in every industry with the largest global companies and leading nonprofits. In every case, we draw on a network of expertise and decades of experience to deliver original work that makes an impact.
Summer Associate Program Overview
Our Summer Associate (SA) Program is a structured, competitive twelve-week program. Summer Associates will be exposed to a wide range of consulting work in the fields of strategic communications, public affairs, public policy, and business strategy. SAs will be well-integrated team members, and responsibilities include drafting client deliverables (such as research summaries, newsletters, social media messaging, and press releases), constructing both internal and client-facing presentations, coordinating and managing client projects, and providing needed administrative support. In addition, SAs will have access to HLG resources and leadership, making the experience both intellectually stimulating and supportive of career aspirations.
High Lantern Group is hiring Summer Associates for our main U.S. offices in New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, D.C.; Asheville, NC; and Atlanta, GA.
Applying to multiple offices is welcome. Candidates will be expected to commit to a full-time
position for twelve weeks, from May 26 to August 14 and may start earlier upon request and availability.
The Asheville Office
High Lantern Group’s Asheville office is primarily focused on providing corporate communications services for teams and leaders of Fortune 1000 organizations, including in the technology, healthcare, financial services, and pharmaceutical sectors.
We are located in downtown Asheville, NC. Our normal operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to working on client projects with the 45+ professionals across our firm, the Asheville Summer Associate will have the opportunity to help develop PowerPoint slides for client presentations and create marketing materials for prospective clients.
General Qualifications
Candidates for High Lantern Group’s Summer Associate Program must have 1-2 years of work experience; or be a recent college graduate or be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program. We do review applications for interns on a rolling basis. Please check our website for available internship opportunities.
We seek motivated self-starters who have experience with or an interest in strategic communications, business, and public policy. Ideal candidates have excellent writing, research, and communication skills, strong attention to detail, the capacity to balance multiple responsibilities, and the ability to work independently.
Preferred Qualifications for Summer Associates in Asheville
- Excellent PowerPoint skills
- Ability to convert written material into clear, concise and compelling slides for clients
- Willingness to work independently and autonomously
Compensatiom
Summer Associates will be compensated $22/hour with the expectation of a 40-hour workweek.
How to Apply
Please apply online at www.highlanterngroup.com/careers. You are required to submit a cover letter and resume bundled as one document.
Applications are due by Friday, February 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. PST. Candidates will be notified if selected for an interview. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Tuesday, January 6, 2026: Summer Associate application process opens
- Friday, February 6, 2026: Summer Associate application deadline
- Friday, March 20, 2026: Candidate selection deadline
- Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, August 14, 2026: 12-week Summer Associate Program
About High Lantern Group
High Lantern Group focuses on strategy, leadership communications, and coalition building for large companies and non-profit organizations. For more than 15 years the firm has worked directly with senior leaders of some of the world’s largest businesses and social sector groups.
Our team is comprised of highly experienced, thoughtful, and innovative partners who bring with them an unusual degree of exposure to business practices, leadership trends, and cutting-edge public affairs strategies.
Please visit our website at www.highlanterngroup.com to learn more.