Program Associate, Local Journalists Initiative

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.

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.

Under the direction of the Local Journalists Initiative lead and the vice president and director of the National Program and Outreach department, the program associate supports the work of the Local Journalists Initiative, which helps print, broadcast, and digital-first journalists draw connections between the local issues they cover and national and international dynamics.

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.

• Support the CFR Local Journalists Initiative virtual and in-person programmatic offerings and events, which include a webinar series, media briefings, an annual workshop, and CFR representation at external conferences and professional gatherings across the country.
• Tasks include administrative support for scheduling events, initiating and editing draft correspondence including event invitations and thank you notes, preparing meeting materials, and contributing to reports for initiative activities.
• Growing the initiative’s constituency by researching and compiling new contacts to the master list.
• Supporting CFR communications and content dissemination efforts by updating webpages, preparing email campaign templates—including newsletters and surveys—and placing advertisements.
• Collecting qualitative and quantitative data across program offerings for reporting purposes and strategic decision-making.
• Maintaining CFR databases with accurate contact and participation information for journalists, scheduling meetings, taking and circulating meeting notes, and compiling follow-up tasks and action items.
• Collaborating on a bi-monthly newsletter for journalists featuring a curated selection of CFR content.
• Researching annual conferences and networking opportunities that align with initiative goals.
• Coordinating across departments and with external partner organizations to align schedules, assist with event execution, and share information relevant to multiple crosscutting projects.
• Providing general project support to the department, including attending and working at events held outside of business hours.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, journalism, international relations, or a related field

Experience

• One year of experience working in outreach, partnerships, international relations, academia, government, or community engagement.
• 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.
• Professional conduct in all interactions with CFR members, invited dignitaries, and the general public. Judicious use of confidentiality and discretion when…