2027 Long-Term Merchandise & Licensing Intern

USGA•Bernards, NJ

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Long-Term Merchandise & Licensing Intern supports the USGA Merchandise and Licensing department from January through early September 2027, gaining exposure to the lifecycle of a major championship merchandise operation. The role begins at the USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, and includes extensive travel to championship locations in Pebble Beach, California, and Toledo, Ohio. The internship follows a variable schedule, from approximately 40 hours per week during office and post-event periods to 90–105 hours per week during championship operations. Responsibilities span merchandise and licensing projects, sample and showroom organization, office and shipment support, vendor coordination, merchandise receiving and setup, volunteer apparel services, visual merchandising, public relations and promotional projects, and championship retail operations. During championship weeks, the intern supports the Merchandise Pavilion and satellite tents, assists with inventory and customer service, and may lead volunteers. The internship concludes with merchandise-operation breakdown, inventory and post-event sales procedures, donations, trailer packing, and staff-sale coordination. The position is based on a hybrid schedule at the Liberty Corner campus, with three office days per week between Monday and Thursday. Housing is not provided for the New Jersey office. For USGA business travel, housing, meals, and transportation are provided and/or reimbursed. Travel may be continuous for multiple weeks and include weekends and holidays. The hourly pay is $20.00, subject to applicable overtime laws.

Requirements

Strong teamwork skills and ability to work with fellow interns to execute daily tasks.
Strong communication skills.
Leadership ability to lead volunteers and serve as a resource for merchandise staff communicating with vendors and USGA staff.
Creativity and ability to take ownership of a project, present ideas, and contribute to visual merchandising.
Flexibility to move quickly between tasks, pick up ongoing work, and adjust plans to achieve goals.
Ability to work the stated variable weekly hours, including approximately 90–105 hours per week during the U.S. Open period.
Ability to travel extensively during championship weeks; travel may be continuous for multiple weeks and include weekends and holidays.
Ability to perform merchandise receiving tasks involving moving boxes, counting product, and loading and organizing boxes onto trucks.

Responsibilities

Support a variety of Merchandise & Licensing functions, including the Merchandise Volunteer Program, vendor relations, operations, services, marketing, and licensing programs.
Organize merchandise samples and the showroom, maintain documents, assist with mailings, and build presentations.
Create a guide for short-term interns and assist with miscellaneous team duties.
Assist with on-site office setup and organizational projects at championship locations.
Receive incoming merchandise, count products, and load and organize boxes onto trucks.
Represent the USGA while working with merchandise brands and vendors.
Maintain the on-site office; assist with short-term intern onboarding, smaller orders, merchandise volunteer packets, and vendor credentials.
Assist with U.S. Open volunteer orientation and training sessions.
Support the Volunteer Apparel Exchange Program by setting up apparel exchanges off-site and on-site.
Set up merchandise tents and visual displays, move and organize products and back-stock, and clean or move fixtures.
Prepare the Merchandise Pavilion and satellite tent, including signage and point-of-sale stations, and assist with dressing mannequins.
Assist with public relations projects, promotions, and mailings related to the pre-championship merchandise opening.
Support the operation of the Merchandise Pavilion and satellite tents through customer service, inventory management, and general upkeep.
Manage or support groups of volunteers and help ensure merchandise-operation areas run efficiently.
Assist the Merchandise Volunteer Chairman with check-in.
Check in replenishment orders and prepare products for the sales floor, including applying barcodes or removing packaging as needed.
Assist with merchandise-operation breakdown, post-event sales, and ending inventory procedures.
Help coordinate the donation program, work with the fixture company, and pack trailers.
Coordinate staff-sale activities after returning to Liberty Corner.