The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Outreach department works to raise the profile of CFR and develop relationships with communities across the United States. Current initiatives focus on college and university students, educators, and administrators; state and local officials; local journalists; and congregational leaders and representatives of faith-based organizations.  

The CFR Outreach team is seeking an Associate Director. Under the direction of the Vice President and Director of the National Program and Outreach department, the associate director is the lead staffer for the Religion and Foreign Policy (RFP) program, which provides programming and resources for religion leaders across the country, offers an interfaith forum for discussion on global issues, and cultivates relations with the religion community. This position supervises one support staffer.

RFP strives to connect congregational leaders, religion scholars, and representatives of faith-based organizations to policymakers and foreign policy experts; disseminate CFR analysis to inform the work of religious thinkers and educators; and foster dialogue in their communities. Outreach is conducted through events and programming (including webinars, roundtables, briefings, and workshops), public-facing digital content (such as monthly newsletters), conference participation nationally, and more.

• Manage the CFR Religion and Foreign Policy program and its virtual and in-person programmatic offerings, which include a webinar series, briefings, CFR’s annual Religion and Foreign Policy Workshop, and CFR representation at external conferences and professional gatherings across the country.  
• Generate speaker and topic ideas for virtual, in-person, and external events.  
• Take a lead role on the scheduling and implementation of events—including managing contracts and catering when applicable; drafting, editing, and managing correspondence; preparing meeting materials; and writing summary reports. 
• Supervise one support staffer and oversee day-to-day workflow. 
• Monitor and report on the religion program budget. 
• Collaborate with the vice president and director on Religion and Foreign Policy programming and outreach strategy, efforts, and innovation. 
• Research and identify partnership opportunities and external conferences to attend, schedule meetings and write meeting recap notes. 
• Grow CFR’s Outreach community and expand its impact through audience development by identifying and building relationships with new and diverse contacts in the religion and foreign policy space. 
• Contribute to communications and resource dissemination efforts by maintaining webpages, conducting email campaigns—including newsletters and surveys—and placing advertisements. 
• Track metrics and conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis across program offerings for reporting purposes and as a basis for strategic decision-making. 
• Manage CRM database event records and perform advanced queries. 
• Collaborate with staff across CFR and with external partner organizations to coordinate schedules, organize events, and share information relevant to various crosscutting projects. 
• Provide general project support to the department, including attending and working at National Program and Outreach events held outside of business hours. 
• Performing any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.   

Education

• BA in religious studies, international relations, or related field and interest in current U.S. foreign policy and international affairs issues. MA preferred.

Experience

• At least five years of experience working in outreach, strategic partnerships, community engagement, international relations, academia, and/or government.
• At least one year of experience in a supervisory role.
• Nuanced and deep understanding of faith traditions and religious landscape required.
• Experience in the religion space and event/program management preferred.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Ability to multitask and manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously; superior organizational and time management skills, as well as attention to detail. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively with multiple audiences; strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills.  
• Ability to meet demanding deadlines with a positive attitude and interact with members and the public in a professional manner.  
• Team player with capacity to take initiative, demonstrate flexibility, and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. 
• Experience working with high-level contacts or in member relations; ability to maintain confidentiality and to use appropriate discretion. 
• Microsoft Word and Excel skills. Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Quorum, or other database experience preferred. 
• Availability to work flexible and extended hours, as necessary. 
• Ability to travel a few times each year. 
• Ability to assist with packing boxes/materials for shipping and physically setting out meeting materials for events, including workshops and conferences.

Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $85,000 – $95,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, 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 (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.