Jobs at Council on Foreign Relations

Leads CFR’s Publications team and edits major foreign policy research reports for quality, clarity, structure, accuracy, and policy relevance. Supervises and mentors editorial staff, sets standards and priorities, manages publication schedules, develops editorial processes, and cultivates freelance editor and designer networks. Collaborates across departments, advises fellows on book publishing, and represents Publications organization-wide. Requires extensive editing experience, editorial leadership, foreign policy knowledge, strong judgment, interpersonal skills, and project management abilities.

Design Manager responsible for hands-on creative execution across digital products, branding, editorial features, print publications, and organizational campaigns. The role maintains and evolves CFR’s brand standards, design documentation, templates, reusable patterns, and design systems. It provides design feedback, leads complex initiatives, collaborates with freelance creatives and cross-functional teams, and ensures consistent, high-quality deliverables across digital and print channels.

Leads CFR’s Local Journalists Initiative, including national events, webinars, workshops, outreach strategy, media partnerships, newsletters, email campaigns, and digital content. Manages one staff member, budgets, CRM records, program metrics, and relationships with local journalists and external organizations. Collaborates with Global Communications to strengthen local media engagement and CFR’s reputation. The role is based primarily onsite in New York and requires travel several times annually and occasional work outside normal business hours.

Leads narrative development, editing, and production for video explainers, documentaries, social content, and podcasts. Responsibilities include script development, interviews, motion graphics, animation, platform-specific video adaptation, editorial guidance, vendor licensing, project timeline management, and mentoring producers. The role requires strong foreign policy interest, advanced post-production expertise, mastery of Adobe Premiere and After Effects, and proficiency across social video formats.

Supports alumni engagement programs by managing communications, CRM records, dues billing, event planning, logistics, virtual meeting operations, and post-event follow-up. Serves as the primary alumni contact and coordinates with speakers, presiders, visitors, media, and staff. The role also researches participation data, reports engagement trends, and advises on an alumni directory and portal.

Manages HR department operations, cross-functional projects, meetings, events, communications, and process documentation. Provides confidential executive assistance to the CHRO, including calendar and travel coordination, expense and invoice processing, contract review, document management, and meeting preparation. Serves as a liaison across HR teams and organizational stakeholders while handling sensitive information, tracking priorities, and coordinating departmental activities.

Writes and edits foreign policy explainers and digital content for general audiences. Responsibilities include copyediting, fact-checking, news monitoring, homepage curation, content pitching, newsletter and multimedia support, and collaboration with graphics and data teams. The role requires strong newsroom judgment, writing and editing skills, foreign policy knowledge, and the ability to work quickly in a deadline-driven environment.

Leads accounting, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable operations for a nonprofit organization. Oversees financial close, reporting, grants, cost allocations, investments, audits, compliance filings, internal controls, and process automation. Manages and develops finance staff while partnering with FP&A, programs, development, auditors, and senior leadership to ensure accurate financial stewardship and strategic alignment.