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Sustainable Fisheries Intern
Builders Initiative/Builders Vision
United States · Illinois, USA · Chicago, IL, USA
Posted on Mar 1, 2026
Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Position Reports to: Program Officer
Location: Chicago, IL
About Builders Vision
Builders Vision is a team of investors and philanthropists that deploys flexible capital and pursues innovative solutions to expedite the transition of the Oceans, Food and Agriculture, and Energy sectors.
We aim to build stronger, more resilient systems within these three sectors while remaining nimble and innovating within emerging solutions and community initiatives. Our coordinated solutions span market development, incentivizing innovation, and delivering market-rate investments. We help investors, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and frontline changemakers access the resources, insights, and expertise they need to succeed.
Notable accomplishments include helping mitigate, sequester, or avoid over 4 million metric tons of CO2e, generating 42,000 jobs, and supporting the development of more than 170 sustainable products, technologies, or solutions.
Who We Are
With more than 80 people driving our work forward, our teams include diverse and impassioned experts across investment, philanthropy, strategic communications, legal, and general operations.
Builders Vision’s commitment to people and the planet is rooted in our workplace and culture.
- We have best-in-class total rewards and benefits programs, including competitive compensation, a generous 401k program, and an industry-leading long-term incentive program that rewards our team for their performance, financial returns, and the impact we achieve in the world.
- We also offer generous health, wellness, employee training and development opportunities, and charitable match programs.
- We know how to have fun! We host enriching and inclusive team events and retreats to help our staff feel connected to nature, each other, and our mission.
- We were named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023 and voted one of Chicago’s Best Places to Work by Crain’s Chicago Business in both 2023 and 2024.
- The company headquarters, located in Chicago’s vibrant West Loop, achieved Gold-level certifications from both the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the International WELL Building Institute.
A long-term and deep commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) is core to our mission and values. We recognize that a diverse workforce drives innovation, enhances collaboration, and strengthens the leadership needed to achieve meaningful impact and financial returns. That's why we are dedicated to proactively recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent from a broad and dynamic candidate pool. It’s with these goals in mind that we aspire for our team to reflect the diverse communities we serve.
About Builders Vision Philanthropy (BVP)
The philanthropy team accelerates and catalyzes change through grantmaking and investing in people and organizations driving market growth and creation. Through research, early-stage company investment, advocacy, and coordination with market experts, our team is helping to build markets essential to a transition to a more resilient future. We deploy grants and investments to over 300 partners through a nearly $3.3 billion philanthropic endowment, donor-advised funds (DAFs), and Builders Bridge, a catalytic investment LLC.
Position Summary
The Oceans Philanthropy team at Builders Vision is seeking a motivated and analytical Intern to support our efforts in Sustainable Fisheries and 100% seafood utilization. A significant portion of the global catch is currently underutilized or wasted, resulting in lost nutritional value and environmental harm. Inspired by a global network of partners, we are working to catalyze a “100% utilization” movement globally.
The Intern will play a critical role in mapping the current landscape, identifying systemic roadblocks, and helping design a strategic convening of academics, entrepreneurs, and regulators to build a unified Action Plan.
Primary Responsibilities
- Ecosystem Mapping & Data Analysis: Research and help create a framework to map opportunities and partners for the utilization of fishery "sidestreams."
- Barriers & Roadblock Identification: Conduct a deep dive into the hurdles facing the sector, including fragmented logistical infrastructure, regulatory/policy gaps, and the difficulties of scaling solutions across different species and regions.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Help identify and categorize key players in the movement—from materials scientists and academics to "visionary" entrepreneurs—ensuring a diverse mix of perspectives for future collaborations.
- Convening Support: Assist in the design and planning of a high-impact meeting. Your goal will be to help define the "Why" for attendees, ensuring that entrepreneurs, industry representatives, and regulators find unique value in the gathering that they wouldn't find elsewhere.
- Action Plan Development: Support the team in synthesizing research findings into a preliminary Action Plan that outlines how to move the 100% Fish movement from theory to practice in the U.S.
Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the associate in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may evolve or change over time.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated understanding of the unique socio-economic dynamics, regulatory environment, and operational challenges within a fishing community
- Experience with movement building and/or strategic communications is desirable
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Marine Science, Environmental Law and Policy, Sustainability, Circular Economy, or a related field.
- Analytical Mindset - Ability to synthesize complex information regarding supply chains, logistics, and regulatory frameworks.
- Strong writing skills with the ability to draft professional summaries and strategic briefs for both philanthropic and entrepreneurial audiences.
- Mission Alignment - Curiosity and initiative; a genuine passion for ocean health, food security, and sustainable blue economy entrepreneurship and investment.
Personal Attributes that Support your Success
- You are a caring and conscientious team player who develops strong relationships and loves to collaborate; You adapt your behaviors to work effectively with a range of people and situations
- You bring positive energy to your work and workplace; you care to show up as your authentic self and measure your personal success as the success of those around you.
- You are results and detail oriented and take pride in striving for excellence; you design and execute with the “why” and what success looks like in mind; you also understand when “perfect” can be the enemy of “good enough”
- A lifelong learner, you are inquisitive and like to solve problems with bold thinking and innovation; you view “feedback” as an opportunity for growth
- You display flexibility and openness in daily work and encourage others to stay open to change and improvement; You accept and readily adapt to changing priorities, new ideas, strategies and methods.
Builders Vision is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply, including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status under applicable laws and regulations.