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 Audio-Visual team at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking a Senior AV Manager to oversee aspects of audio-visual operations for all internal meetings and events in both our New York and Washington, DC offices, as well as external rental events including holiday parties, weddings, and corporate conferences. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise, strong project management skills, and enthusiasm for ensuring flawless event execution. The Senior AV Manager will lead innovative AV solutions and ensure efficient lifecycle management of AV equipment.  

We are hiring for two positions in this role: one based in New York, NY and one based in Washington, DC. These are full-time positions based on-site five days per week. 

This role will require occasional travel between the NY and DC offices and will be expected to work at least one weekend per month during CFR’s peak event season. 

• Manage and execute AV operations for internal Council events and rental events, supporting over 1,400 in-person meetings and 400 virtual events annually.  

• Coordinate audio and video recording, livestream, microphone setup, breakdown, testing, setting audio levels, setting appropriate stage and room lighting, testing video and audio feed for press and any other event related AV needs, including events with a virtual component. 

• Oversee multimedia production for events, including post-event editing and uploading. 

• Manage studio operations for podcast recordings, live news hits, and video shoots.  

• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required. 

Education 

• A post-secondary certificate, associate degree or bachelor's degree in AV technology, sound engineering and event production, preferred but not required.     

Experience 

• At least 5 years of experience in AV integration, presentation, and project management within a corporate and/or fast paced event environment. 

• Demonstrated experience with AV hardware and systems (e.g., Q‑SYS, Biamp,Crestron, Extron, Shure, videoconferencing solutions including Poly, Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams Rooms) with a strong aptitude for troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues. 

• Proven ability to manage networked AV solutions, including familiarity in basic networking concepts such as TCP/IP, IP addressing, VLAN configuration, QoS, multicast protocols, and the use of network troubleshooting tools.

• Experience running sound via Dante and Behringer x32 hardware. 

• Experience running PTZ cameras and switching sources via Blackmagic hardware for live meetings as well as managing virtual components. 

• Experience with live broadcast including streaming and TV/radio interviews, working with outside press. 

Related Skills & Other Requirements 

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues swiftly. Ability to work under pressure during live events.  

• Strong collaboration and customer service skills with professionalism in working with stakeholders at all levels. 

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with sound judgment and discretion.  

• Ability to remain calm and adaptable under tight, shifting deadlines.  

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (e.g., video wall panels). 

• Ability to work varied shifts, including evenings and weekends, and occasional travel. 

• Ability to climb ladders. 

• Please submit a résumé. A  cover letter stating your interest in the position is optional. 

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $90,000 - $100,000 depending on experience. 
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package. 

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.