Program Coordinator, National Program

Council on Foreign Relations Program Coordinator

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.

Position Summary

CFR is truly a national organization, with a plurality of its membership based outside of our New York and Washington, D.C. hubs. The National Program provides a forum for these members to discuss pressing foreign policy issues and contribute to CFR's research by organizing approximately ninety on-the-ground meetings each year in cities across the country, as well as two large annual events and interactive virtual programming. This position will collaborate with the deputy director on expanding CFR's Bay Area programming with a focus on topics at the nexus of technology and foreign policy, serve as programmatic lead for one additional city, share programmatic responsibilities for our virtual roundtable series, and assist with preparations for the annual National Conference and National Symposium. The position works under the National Program deputy director as well as the vice president and director of the National Program and Outreach department.

This full-time position is based in CFR's New York City 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.

Major Responsibilities

Planning, coordinating, and supporting logistics for National Program events in select cities with a specific focus on Bay Area programming, including drafting and sending meeting correspondence, arranging venues and catering details, preparing meeting materials, and managing meeting records in database.

Assisting with logistics, planning, and execution of the annual National Conference in June and annual National Symposium in December, including editing bios, preparing meeting materials, and tracking responses.

Planning or supporting logistics for virtual National Program roundtables held via Zoom, including generating speaker and topic ideas, drafting and sending meeting correspondence, building meetings in Zoom, preparing meeting materials, and managing meeting records in database.

Contributing to topic development and speaker suggestions for a variety of National Program events.

Proofreading departmental documents and general correspondence for CFR style.

Drafting activity or event reports and analyzing statistical data, including tracking metrics and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis across program offerings for reporting purposes.

Managing database records and maintaining departmental tracking spreadsheets.

Collaborating with staff in other departments and with external partner organizations on coordinating schedules, organizing events, and sharing information relevant to various crosscutting projects.

Providing general project support to the department, including attending and working at National Program and Outreach events held outside of business hours.

Any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Qualifications

Education : Bachelor's degree in political science, journalism, international relations, or a related field

Experience

Three or more years of logistical and administrative and / or event planning experience, with experience in the Bay Area or work with tech industry 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; 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.
• Strong skills in basic office technology, data analysis, social media, and content management skills as well as CRM database experience.
• The position will be based in New York with occasional travel, particularly to the West Coast.
• Availability to work flexible hours and overtime, as necessary.

Required Application Materials

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

Compensation and Benefits

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.