People & Culture Analyst Fall 2026

Build the people, culture, and learning, and development systems that will shape how Appalachia Advisory grows.

This is a part-time, volunteer opportunity with Appalachia Advisory, a chartered non-profit corporation connecting students and young professionals with underserved small businesses across Appalachia through pro bono consulting.

As a People & Culture Analyst, you will help build and shape a new function within Appalachia Advisory. You will be a part of developing the strategy, systems, and processes that determine how the organization attracts, develops, engages, and supports its people as we grow.

Your work may span talent acquisition, university partnerships, learning & development, AI and professional upskilling, organizational culture, and cross-organization engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Build the People & Culture function: Develop the strategy, systems, processes, and operating model that will guide how People & Culture works across Appalachia Advisory.
• Develop talent acquisition strategy: Build recruiting processes and university engagement initiatives, including virtual events, outreach, and recruitment programs.
• Design learning & development initiatives: Develop frameworks for onboarding, training, professional development, upskilling, and AI enablement across the organization.
• Strengthen organizational culture: Develop initiatives that foster connection, engagement, and a strong sense of community across a distributed organization.
• Develop team engagement programming: Support organization-wide calls, events, and initiatives that improve communication and member engagement.
• Identify opportunities to improve the member experience: Use feedback, research, and organizational insights to identify gaps and develop solutions across the employee/member lifecycle.
• Collaborate with People & Culture Analysts and organizational leaders to build and implement high-priority initiatives as the function evolves.

Ideal Candidates

Strategic, people-oriented self-starters who are excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

Ideal candidates should be curious about how organizations attract, develop, and engage talent, and comfortable working in an environment where systems and processes are still being developed. Strong candidates will combine structured problem-solving with strong communication and an interest in people. We are specifically seeking individuals who are passionate about our mission, supporting small businesses, and advancing social impact initiatives that create meaningful change in marginalized communities.

Experience in recruiting, human resources, organizational development, education, consulting, program management, or team leadership is valued but not required.

What You'll Gain

• Organizational design experience: Help build the scope and operating model of a new organizational function
• Talent strategy experience: Develop real recruiting and university engagement systems and initiatives
• Learning & development experience: Design training, upskilling, and professional development programs
• Culture & engagement experience: Help shape the member experience and culture of a growing, distributed organization
• AI & emerging technology exposure: Explore how AI can support talent development, productivity, and organizational capabilities
• Meaningful ownership: Work on initiatives that directly shape how Appalachia Advisory operates and grows
• Professional network: Collaborate with students, young professionals, advisors, and industry professionals across the U.S.

About Us

Gain real experience with real community impact.

Appalachia Advisory is a chartered non-profit corporation in the State of Tennessee connecting students and young professionals from across the U.S. with small businesses throughout Appalachia.

Through ~8 week pro bono consulting engagements, our teams provide strategic support in areas such as marketing, strategy, operations, growth, and organizational enablement.

As Appalachia Advisory grows, our People & Culture team will help build the infrastructure behind our people from how we recruit and develop talent to how we create a connected, high-performing organization.

Because this is a new function, members will have an unusual opportunity to help design the systems, processes, and culture that future members will inherit.

Our work is entirely pro bono for clients,  providing meaningful professional experience for our members while creating tangible value for underserved communities.

What You'll Get

• Build from the ground up: Help establish a new organizational function rather than stepping into an existing structure
• Real organizational impact: Shape how Appalachia Advisory recruits, develops, and engages its people
• Technical & professional development: Build skills in talent strategy, organizational development, program design, training, and project management
• A diverse professional network: Collaborate with students and young professionals from across the U.S. alongside experienced mentors and industry leaders
• Career resources: Access recruiting resources and career advancement opportunities through our network of advisors and industry professionals

Position Details

Job Title: People & Culture Analyst
Position Type: Part-Time / Volunteer Leadership Experience
Location: Remote
Schedule: Part-Time
Expected Time Commitment: Approximately 6–8 hours per week
Compensation: Unpaid
Work Authorization: U.S. work authorization not required

Recommended Candidate Background

School Year: Incoming Freshman, Sophomore, Junior 

Relevant Majors / Backgrounds:
Business Administration & Management, Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Journalism, Human Resource Management, Marketing

Applications will close September 16 at 11:59 PM