CFR’s David Rockefeller Studies Program is one of the country’s largest foreign policy think tanks with a widely respected and influential research staff. The Studies Program aims to advance the discussion of American foreign policy and international affairs through its writing, publications, public outreach, and discussions.

Slated to launch in early 2025, the CFR Cross-Cutting Climate and Energy Initiative will represent one of the top four institutional priorities of the Council, alongside  the China Strategy Initiative, RealEcon, and the technology initiative. The Climate and Energy Initiative (CEI) will harness the full range of CFR’s capabilities to advance impactful convenings and scholarship to inform U.S. foreign policy and address critical challenges and opportunities related to climate change and the energy transition. The associate director will work under the direction of the senior fellow for energy and climate.

This position will be based in CFR’s Washington office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite.

• Assist in executing and updating the strategic plan for CEI and its four main programmatic pillars.
• Assist in developing regular programming on climate and energy topics, including identifying and securing speakers and presiders for meetings, workshops, and symposia related to the CEI pillars; preparing background materials; and executing events.
• Assisting in overseeing digital content for the program’s website, including selecting global trends and contemporary events related to climate and energy for blog posts; researching and drafting content; and identifying relevant practitioners, academics, or policymakers, and soliciting their contributions.
• Help lead and implement communication and marketing strategy, in particular leveraging social media applications as needed; edit CEI’s written products; and ensure global economics promotional materials and web presence are up to date.
• Assist in managing relations and contact with other CFR departments, external stakeholders, advisory groups, etc.
• Help manage grant applications and monitor deliverables as well as program budget, including preparing annual budgets; tracking monthly spending; monitoring grant information; and liaising across departments to coordinate budget.
• Research specific areas for articles, book chapters, and other publications, and assist with drafting, as requested.
• Help elaborate and execute the program research agenda in each of the CEI core areas and provide support for development of CEI initiatives.

• Degree in International Relations, Economics, Energy Policy, Engineering, or related field with high academic achievement. Master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of current climate and energy issues and technologies.
• Seven to ten years related research, programming, and project management experience.
• Excellent research, writing, and editing skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, and the Internet.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and ability to multitask.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.

Pay Range

$68,000 to $80,000 per year

Pay commensurate with experience and education

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 Council on Foreign Relations offers a benefits package that is among the best offered by nonprofit institutions today, including an award-winning health and wellness program, an on-site fitness center, and generous leave policies and health insurance programs.

The Council on Foreign Relations is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from a diverse background.