Council on Foreign Relations
Overview
Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes
Foreign Affairs , the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.
The Program Coordinator will be a member of the Meetings Program, which brings major international and domestic officials, thought leaders, and others together with CFR members over the course of more than 150 meetings each year. The person in this position will be responsible for researching and organizing member events.
The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):
Develop and research ideas for the substance of CFR meetings, including relevant topics, potential speakers, and intellectual structure of events on U.S. foreign policy, international economics, and other related issues
Coordinate meetings, including drafting meeting announcements, speaker and presider invitations, maintaining database of event information, audience development, posting meeting information on the CFR member website, attending meetings to oversee logistics, and working closely with CFR's other departments
Oversee the development of team procedures and connections within CFR to promote integration with the broader missions and activities of CFR
Act as a liaison between CFR and the presiders and speakers for events, including providing all the necessary details for each meeting such as room set-up, discussion format, and registered attendees
Handle post-event follow up work, including writing thank-you letters to speakers and presiders, and processing vouchers
Communicate professionally with CFR members, visitors, media, and staff; by phone, email, and in person
Staff member events and act as operator for virtual and hybrid events
Supervise a junior member of the team on a multi-session symposium; oversee a Meetings series throughout the program year
Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required
Qualifications Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in International Relations or a related field with high academic achievement.
A minimum of three years related experience, including event planning. Supervisory and budgetary experience preferred
Related Skills & Other Requirements
Knowledge of current foreign policy issues, ongoing debates, and structures of U.S. and international policymaking
Self-starter with excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Strong research skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proofreading and editing ability
Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and database management
Ability to work flexible hours (many events are held over breakfast or in the evening)
Required Application Materials Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.
Compensation and Benefits
The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $61,000 – $65,000, depending on experience.
In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.
About CFR The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.
Foreign Affairs , the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.
The Program Coordinator will be a member of the Meetings Program, which brings major international and domestic officials, thought leaders, and others together with CFR members over the course of more than 150 meetings each year. The person in this position will be responsible for researching and organizing member events.
The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):
Develop and research ideas for the substance of CFR meetings, including relevant topics, potential speakers, and intellectual structure of events on U.S. foreign policy, international economics, and other related issues
Coordinate meetings, including drafting meeting announcements, speaker and presider invitations, maintaining database of event information, audience development, posting meeting information on the CFR member website, attending meetings to oversee logistics, and working closely with CFR's other departments
Oversee the development of team procedures and connections within CFR to promote integration with the broader missions and activities of CFR
Act as a liaison between CFR and the presiders and speakers for events, including providing all the necessary details for each meeting such as room set-up, discussion format, and registered attendees
Handle post-event follow up work, including writing thank-you letters to speakers and presiders, and processing vouchers
Communicate professionally with CFR members, visitors, media, and staff; by phone, email, and in person
Staff member events and act as operator for virtual and hybrid events
Supervise a junior member of the team on a multi-session symposium; oversee a Meetings series throughout the program year
Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required
Qualifications Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in International Relations or a related field with high academic achievement.
A minimum of three years related experience, including event planning. Supervisory and budgetary experience preferred
Related Skills & Other Requirements
Knowledge of current foreign policy issues, ongoing debates, and structures of U.S. and international policymaking
Self-starter with excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Strong research skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proofreading and editing ability
Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and database management
Ability to work flexible hours (many events are held over breakfast or in the evening)
Required Application Materials Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.
Compensation and Benefits
The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $61,000 – $65,000, depending on experience.
In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.
About CFR The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.