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.

Position Summary

The Director of Media Relations and Strategy is charged with supporting the day-to-day management of the Council’s engagement with U.S. and international media. Reporting to the Vice President for Global Communications, the Director is responsible for helping craft and execute communications strategies to shape the Council’s profile and amplify institutional priorities. This involves working closely with counterparts in Studies, Development, Corporate and CEO Programs, Meetings and Membership, National Program and Outreach, the Executive Office, and other offices as part of near- and long-term communications planning. This position will support the VP in developing an institutional communications function (to include executive communications and reputational risk planning). The Director will also support the professional development of the team, in particular team members based in the Washington office.

This position is based in CFR’s New York 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 when all staff are required to be onsite.

The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):

• Work with the VP for Global Communications to develop the Council’s media engagement on a wide range of complex global issues and to develop proactive, strategic media engagement plans. This will include building relationships and educating members of the media about the Council and its resources more broadly.
• Work with colleagues across the institution to help drive attention to key Council initiatives, priorities, projects, and voices.
• Supervise management of systems and strategies to respond to media requests, develop media relationships, coordinate media interactions, track and summarize media hits, and develop and maintain targeted media lists across the team.
• Support development of the Council’s institutional communications functions, including executive media engagement, and serve as the VP’s deputy on reputational and institutional matters, working directly with the office of the general counsel, government relations, corporate member relations, development, and others when necessary.
• Draft and edit statements, talking points, fact sheets, Q&As and other resources with the VP.
• Work closely with the Digital Content team on promoting Council voices, including on breaking news.
• Manage and develop members of the team in support of the functions listed above.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Qualifications

Education

• BA degree in a related field.

Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in public relations, preferably supporting and leading similar strategic communications efforts.
• Familiarity with the foreign policy media ecosystem and contacts with national and international media outlets.
• Experience using media tracking tools and databases such as MuckRack, Cision, Critical Mention, TV Eyes, and/or Meltwater.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Superior writing, verbal, and digital communications skills.
• Strong working knowledge of media relations and issues management.
• Strong judgment in media relations matters.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with reporters, editors, columnists, producers, and bookers.
• Track record drafting statements, talking points & Q&As.
• Comfortable working in a digital environment using digital tools, including website content management systems.
• Comfortable providing counsel to senior executives.
• Self-starter and strategic thinker with the ability to prioritize and synthesize.
• Strong collaborator with solid negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Able to work under pressure quickly, effectively, and efficiently.

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 $140,000 – $150,000, 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.

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

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