Are you a curious and driven student with a passion for business strategy, analytics, and problem-solving? Pilot Company is seeking a Business Planning & Development Intern in Knoxville, TN, for the summer of 2027. This internship offers a unique opportunity to work across Business Planning & Development, the Strategy Realization Office (SRO), and Corporate Development, gaining exposure to the processes and frameworks that drive enterprise strategy and planning.
As a Business Planning & Development Intern, you will gain hands-on experience supporting key business work streams, including performance management, annual planning, strategic investment analysis, and competitive and industry benchmarking. You'll work with business leaders to evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze data to support Pilot’s long-term plan, and help connect strategic initiatives to enterprise objectives and investment priorities. Through this work, you'll develop a deeper understanding of how business performance, resource allocation, and long-term strategy and planning come together to support organizational growth.
What You’ll Do
Your responsibilities may include:
Enable Cross-Functional Strategic Execution: Collaborate with stakeholders across multiple business areas to identify strategic focus areas and priorities, support consistent enterprise-wide decision-making, and drive the enterprise initiative intake and prioritization process.
Support Strategic Capability Development: Partner with Business Planning & Development, the Strategy Realization Office, and Corporate Development teams to support the creation of frameworks and processes that strengthen Pilot’s evolving strategic capabilities.
Analyze & Optimize Business Workflows: Evaluate current-state processes, identify opportunities for alignment and efficiency, and recommend improvements that enhance collaboration, execution, and organizational effectiveness.
Deliver Actionable Process Recommendations: Gather and analyze process insights, identify gaps or risks, and contribute recommendations that improve governance, execution quality, and long-term scalability.
What We’re Looking For
Education: A student pursuing a degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field. MBA candidates and rising seniors are encouraged to apply. Prior exposure to strategic planning, management consulting, corporate strategy, or business operations is a plus.
Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, data analysis, and data visualization. Strong PowerPoint skills with the ability to create clear, professional presentations and communicate complex information effectively to senior leaders and executives
Soft Skills: Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills, with the confidence to initiate conversations, influence outcomes, and navigate ambiguity in a dynamic environment.
Qualities: We value individuals who are driven, reliable, authentic, and welcoming.
Why Pilot Company?
Our culture is built on four core virtues: Driven, Reliable, Authentic, and Welcoming. As an intern, you will see these values in action every day. You'll be part of a team that is driven to improve processes, reliable in its commitment to compliance, authentic in its communication, and welcoming to new ideas and perspectives.
This is a full-time, in-person internship, June 7 – August 13, 2027. You’ll be working alongside our team in Knoxville, TN, where you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and experience the full scope of life at Pilot Company.
How to Apply
If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding internship with a leading company, please submit your application. The interview process will include a screening with a recruiter, a virtual interview with the intern supervisor, and a final interview with another senior leader on the Business Planning and Development team. We look forward to hearing from you!
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
Open job postingAbout the company
Pay Rates Starting between: $12.60 - $17.85 / hour Are you passionate about team building, customer service, and meeting new people? Pilot Company offers a dynamic environment where no two days are the same. Team members have the opportunity to build an inclusive atmosphere with their co-workers and make a better day for every type of guest – whether it’s the professional driver stopping for a clean shower, the commuter grabbing their morning coffee, or the vacationer needing their go-to snack along their journey. We embrace and celebrate our diverse guests and team members, who fuel creativity, innovation, and positivity. We strive to make every stop on your career journey — and our guests’ journey — a great one! Also, there are a number of opportunities to work in other roles within our travel centers and restaurants so while we may be hiring for a specific role, we always look to train and offer experience for other roles we have. We hope your next career stop is with us! Join our team and start your journey with Pilot Company.