Associate Director - Local Journalists Initiative

Position Summary

CFR Outreach 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.

Working with the vice president, senior director of the National Program and Outreach department, and the director of Outreach, the associate director is the lead staffer for the Local Journalists Initiative, which helps print, broadcast, and digital-first journalists across the country draw connections between the local issues they cover and national and international dynamics. This position will manage the day-to-day workflow of the initiative and one support staffer, while also supporting programming across the National & Outreach department. The associate director will also work closely with CFR’s Global Communications team on local media strategy, which will include how the Council’s scholarship can help drive local news coverage and commentary, and how such local engagement can bolster CFR’s reputation and standing proactively with key stakeholders more broadly.

The Local Journalists Initiative provides a forum for journalists at local outlets across the country to engage with CFR experts, other thought leaders, and a network of peers on a range of issues at the nexus of the global and the local, while also sharing best practices for grounding local reporting in global context. The initiative strives to disseminate CFR analysis to inform reporting and to foster dialogue among its constituent network of journalists. Outreach is conducted through events and programming (including webinars, briefings, and workshops), public-facing digital content (such as email campaigns and newsletters), conference participation nationally, and more.

This position is based in CFR’s New York office at least four days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. CFR’s remote working schedule is subject to change.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Lead the CFR Local Journalists Initiative and its virtual and in-person programmatic offerings, which include a webinar series, media briefings, CFR’s annual Local Journalists Workshop, the CFR Local Journalism Boot Camp for young journalists, and CFR representation at external conferences and professional gatherings across the country.
• Frame event agendas and generating speaker/topic ideas for virtual and in-person 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. 
• Oversee day-to-day workflow for the initiative and one support staffer. 
• Monitor, report, and advise on the Local Journalists Initiative budget. 
• Collaborate with the vice president, senior director, and director of Outreach on Local Journalists Initiative programmatic and outreach strategy, efforts, and innovation.
• Work closely with CFR’s Global Communications team on local media strategy to include development of a nationwide map of media targets based on issues, engagement potential, government relations needs, and CFR Studies Program priorities.
• 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 local journalism outlets across the country.
• Overseeing the creation of a bi-monthly newsletter for journalists featuring a curated selection of CFR content.
• Contribute to communications and resource dissemination efforts by maintaining webpages, conducting email campaigns, placing advertisements, and managing a new LinkedIn group for past participants of the Local Journalists Workshop.
• Track metrics and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis across program offerings for reporting purposes and as a basis for strategic decision-making. 
• Manage event records in CRM, running advanced queries, and maintaining clean contact records.
• Collaborate with staff in other departments—particularly Global Communications—as well as with external partner organizations on coordinating schedules, organize events, and share information relevant to various crosscutting projects.
• Provide general project support for institutional projects as well as for the department, including attending and working at National Program and Outreach events held outside of business hours
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• BA in international relations, journalism, or related field and proven interest in current U.S. foreign policy and international affairs issues. MA preferred.
• Five or more years of experience working in outreach, strategic partnerships, international relations, government, or community engagement.
• Nuanced and deep understanding of the journalism landscape across the country at a local level required.
• Event or program management experience 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 or other database experience preferred, and the aptitude to learn and utilize different technologies.
• Availability to work flexible hours and overtime, as necessary.
• Ability to travel several times each year.
• Ability to assist with packing boxes/materials for shipping and physically setting out meeting materials for workshops and conferences.

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 $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.

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. 

Compensation: 85000 to 95000 (USD)