Business Development ​Research Intern

About the role

​​NatureServe is seeking a Business Development Research Intern to support the growth of our biodiversity data business. You’ll work directly with the Director of Biodiversity Data Sales to research prospective companies, understand how they are organized, and identify the right decisionmakers for outreach. This is a part-time, paid internship, well suited to a graduate student or recent graduate with an interest in conservation, biodiversity, or environmental science, combined with research or business-development experience. 

​The internship offers hands-one experience in business development and market research within the growing biodiversity, environmental, and geospatial data sector.  You’ll gain exposure to how companies use environmental data in real-world decisions, while developing practical research skills and familiarity with the organizations, technologies, and career paths shaping this field.

​On a recurring (approximately weekly) basis, you'll receive a set of target companies and guidance on the types of roles or business units we want to reach. Your research will help us understand who the right people are and how best to approach each organization. For each company, you will:

• ​Review the company's website and public materials to understand its structure, identifying the correct business unit for large or complex organizations.

• ​Identify 2–3 high-quality contacts per company who closely match the target roles provided, prioritizing people with direct responsibility for the relevant product, service line, or purchasing decision.

• ​Verify each contact's current employment, title, and business unit using LinkedIn and other public sources.
• ​Identify and verify business email addresses using verification tools, clearly flagging anything that can't be verified.

• ​Compile findings into a shared tracker: full name, title, business unit, email, verification status, LinkedIn profile, and notes.

• ​Flag companies where no suitable contact can be identified, rather than guessing or submitting unverified information.

• ​Join a regular (approximately weekly) check-in to review completed lists, ask questions, and calibrate the approach as target roles evolve.

​Accuracy and relevance are the priorities throughout. The goal is to minimize bounced emails and outreach to the wrong people, not to maximize volume. Contacts should be independently verified using reliable sources such as company websites, LinkedIn, and an email verification tool rather than relying on AI-generated contact information. 

What you'll do

Key responsibilities for the Business Development Research Intern include but are not limited to:

• Research and identify potential corporate, government, and nonprofit partners that align with NatureServe's mission and strategic priorities 

• Find and verify accurate contact information including names, titles, emails, and organizational structure for target leads

• Enter and maintain lead and contact information in Salesforce and shared research trackers

• Help segment leads by outreach priority (sector, geography, funding potential, etc.)

• Flag outdated or inaccurate data for correction

• Support the business development and sales team by preparing outreach lists and background materials

• Dig into background research on prospective partners ahead of outreach or meetings

• Track outreach activity and results to help the team report on lead generation progress

• Provide light administrative support on partnership tracking (e.g., updating pipeline status)

• Share research findings clearly with the team so they can act on it

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience:

• ​​Strong research and information-gathering skills

• ​Comfortable digging through LinkedIn, company websites, and public sources to find accurate contacts

• ​High attention to detail and accuracy, especially in data entry

• ​Strong written communication skills

• ​Self-motivated and able to manage your own time in a remote role

• ​Comfortable with Microsoft Office/Google Workspace; willing to learn CRM or database tools (training provided)

• ​Interest in biodiversity, environmental data, GIS, sustainability or related fields.

Preferred Certifications, Training, or Education:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate, in environmental science. data, GIS, sustainability, business, or related field. 
• Curiosity about how data and technology are used to solve environmental problems is strongly preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Work Conditions:

• % Time Remote: ​100%​

• Travel Required: ​No​

• On-Call Requirement: ​No​

Physical Requirements (check applicable):

• ​​☒​ Sitting

• ​​☐​ Standing

• ​​☐​ Lifting (5–20 lbs.)

• ​​☒​ Typing / Computer Use

• ​​☒​ Repetitive Motion

• ​​☐​ Use of Field Equipment

• ​​☐​ Driving a Vehicle

Reasonable Accommodations

NatureServe is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at [insert email/phone] to request an accommodation.