Food52 - MBA Summer Internship - Chief of Staff

Company Description:

Our family of brands is comprised of Schoolhouse, the lighting, home furnishings, and lifestyle brand based in Portland, Oregon; Food52, the community-driven cooking and home company, based in Brooklyn, New York; and Dansk, the heritage home brand founded in 1954.  

Food52 is a next-generation cooking and home company, named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, with a monthly reach of more than 25 million people. Food52 challenges the models of traditional media and retailers, combining content, commerce, and community around the belief that the kitchen is the heart of the home and that food is the center of a well-lived life. Food52 inspires, informs, and supports its engaged community with recipes, videos, podcasts, events, and a curated selection of well designed, high-quality products.

Position Overview:

Food52 is seeking an MBA Summer Intern to serve as Chief of Staff to the CEO. This high-impact, high-visibility role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operations, and execution. You’ll partner directly with the CEO and senior leadership team to advance top-priority initiatives, solve complex business challenges, and help drive cross-functional alignment during a pivotal stage of growth for the company.

This role is based in-person at our headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.

Responsibilities may include:

• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO, providing insights and structure around key strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and ensure clear alignment on action items, owners, and outcomes.
• Lead market and competitive research to inform growth strategies, category expansion, or organizational design.
• Evaluate potential business opportunities, partnerships, or investments and help shape strategic recommendations.
• Support internal communications and company-wide initiatives that build culture, clarity, and accountability.
• Assist with operational readiness for key seasonal moments (e.g., product launches, holiday campaigns).
• Analyze key drivers of growth across Food52’s marketplace and owned brands (e.g., merchandising, content, DTC performance).
• Collaborate with teams across product, marketing, and merchandising to ensure alignment around customer experience and brand voice.

Qualifications:

• Strong business acumen and analytical skills (financial modeling, market sizing, strategic frameworks).
• Clear and compelling communicator with experience supporting executive-level work.
• Highly organized and adaptable; thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Genuine passion for food, design, and community-centered brands.
• Prior experience in consulting, investing, high-growth startups, or consumer brands is a plus.
• Currently enrolled in an accredited MBA program 

This internship is a unique opportunity for an MBA candidate to step inside the inner workings of a high-growth, design-forward lifestyle company — and help shape its future alongside a visionary leadership team.

Broader Portfolio-Wide Intern Program:

Since 2019, TCG has run a broader portfolio-wide intern program connecting interns across TCG and our portfolio companies. This unique initiative offers interns the chance to participate in:

• Networking & Educational Sessions: Engage in in-person (based on location) and virtual sessions designed to broaden your understanding of the industry and strengthen your professional network.
• "AMA" Sessions with TCG Partners and Executives: Learn directly from senior leaders at TCG and portfolio companies through interactive "Ask Me Anything" sessions, where you’ll get insights into their career journeys and key business strategies.
• Executive Coaching: Benefit from executive coaching sessions with industry-leading coaches who will provide guidance on best practices for leadership, career development, and personal growth.
• Technical Training: Participate in training sessions that help sharpen your technical skills, particularly in areas such as financial modeling, sourcing, and themework.

Expected weekly base salary: $1,000

Actual base salary within that range will be determined by several components including but not limited to the individual's experience, skills, qualifications and job location. For roles located outside of the US, please disregard the posted salary bands as these roles will follow a separate compensation process based on local market comparables.
Additional compensation: Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits that may be offered in connection with the advertised role.