Intern, Human Resources - NHL

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Job Title: Intern, Human Resources

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Manager, Human Resources

Location: Chicago / United Center (In-Office) Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Monday - Friday

Status: Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Duration: June 15th – August 14th, 2026

Compensation: $20 per hour

**All internship roles will require you to be in-office at the United Center and we do not provide any relocation or housing assistance*

The Chicago Blackhawks are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.

Internship Overview:

The Chicago Blackhawks are seeking a detail-oriented, dependable, and curious individual who is eager to learn, take initiative, and thrive in fast paced environment to join our team. Reporting to the Manager, Human Resources, the Intern will assist with core HR operations and compliance initiatives while collaborating closely with the HR and Legal teams. This role offers hands-on exposure to the full employee lifecycle, HR systems, and daily HR operations, providing the opportunity to gain practical experience in onboarding, performance management, compliance, and employee engagement while building a strong foundation in Human Resources.

Key Responsibilities and Projects:

• Assist with HR file management to ensure accuracy and compliance across HR systems, personnel files, I-9s, and other legal documentation.
• Assist with auditing and organizing personnel files for active and terminated employees, ensuring accurate digitization of paper records and adherence to compliance standards.
• Support employee onboarding and offboarding by preparing materials, updating internal trackers and checklists, and coordinating with HR team members and managers.
• Support the administration of annual and new-hire compliance requirements by tracking participation and maintaining accurate employee records.
• Assist with day-to-day HR administrative and office management such as processing mail, tracking and restocking office supplies, and other routine operations.
• Develop and brainstorm employee engagement activities for the summer, supporting their execution from concept to implementation.
• Conduct light research on HR best practices, industry trends, and innovative tools to help ensure the organization stays informed and current.
• Gain behind-the-scenes exposure to HR operations within a professional sports organization, including involvement in team events, and off-season activities.
• Assist with a variety of HR projects as assigned, including performance development, recruiting, reporting, employee engagement, and other HR initiatives.

Learning Objectives / Expected Outcomes:

By the end of the internship, the intern will:

• Demonstrate operational excellence in HR Compliance procedures including independently auditing and organizing HR documentation (i.e., personnel files, I-9s, compliance records, etc.) with 100% accuracy and adherence to legal standards, identifying and correcting discrepancies.
• Execute core employee lifecycle processes from end-to-end including independently leading onboarding and offboarding processes (i.e., preparing materials, updating systems, and coordinating stakeholders to ensure a seamless and timely employee experience.
• Analyze and improve HR processes using data and observations (i.e., onboarding workflow, tracking, etc.) and present actionable recommendations.
• Design and deliver an employee engagement initiative including defining goals, creating a budget, managing logistics, and mobilizing participation.
• Enhance and articulate foundational HR business acumen including how HR practices impact business outcomes for a major league sports franchise.

*The internship will culminate in a 10-minute presentation to company leadership on key learnings, contributions, and overall outcomes.

Required Qualifications / Skillsets:

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor & Employment Relations, Business Administration, I/O Psychology or a related field.
• Coursework, internship experience, or a foundational understanding of core Human Resources principles and practices, including employee onboarding, I-9 and employment eligibility verification, confidentiality, recordkeeping, and general HR compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive information with maturity, discretion, and maintain confidentiality in all HR related activities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Effective communicator with exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Motivated to gain knowledge of HR processes, practices, and systems.
• Passion for hockey and alignment with the Chicago Blackhawks values of integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality.
• Ability to work on-site at the United Center beginning Monday June 15th, 2026 – August 14th, 2026

The Team:

The Chicago Blackhawks started their journey as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” professional ice hockey teams in 1926. Members of the Central Division in the NHL’s Western Conference and six-time Stanley Cup Champions (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015), the team calls the United Center home.

Each day the Team works to uphold our mission to reimagine the potential of hockey. At its core, the team and greater organization uphold its mission through its core values centered around integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality. They are fiercely dedicated to evolving and delivering new and legendary fan experiences and captivating new and diverse audiences, both on and off the ice. As part of their unwavering commitment to drive impact and purpose in the Chicago community, the organization opened the Fifth Third Arena (the team’s official practice facility and community space for youth hockey development), continues to make expansions to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and acquired the AHL team the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to grow in its commitments to honor and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering our platforms, making meaningful contributions, collaborating with Native American people, and reimagining ways to support the many Native American people and communities they live amongst and alongside. They engage in this work through their formal partnership with Black Hawk’s ancestral tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, which the tribe established with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.