Director, Public Affairs

Position Summary

 

Reporting to the Director of Council Trips and serving as their primary deputy, the Deputy Director plays a central role in developing, planning, and delivering high-end, foreign policy-focused domestic and international travel experiences for CFR’s membership. The Deputy Director collaborates closely with the Council Trips team, across CFR departments, and with external partners to develop expert-informed itineraries and deliver extraordinary member experiences.  

This position is based in CFR’s New York office at least three days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. Effective Monday, September 14, 2026, CFR employees will be based on-site at least four days per week. CFR’s remote working schedule is subject to change.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Develop and lead member trips, serving as the primary lead for select member trips, while serving as thought partner and primary backup to the Director across the full Council Trips portfolio. 

• Cultivate trip concepts, propose destinations, and work with appropriate in-house experts to build detailed agendas and arrange substantive foreign policy meetings and briefings. 

• Manage all aspects of trip planning and execution for assigned trips, from initial concept through post-trip follow-up, including agenda development, meeting schedule, vendor coordination, and on-the-ground logistics. 

• Represent CFR with professionalism and discretion in all written and verbal communications with members, senior officials, and high-profile hosts and guests; manage outreach and member communications from invitation through post-trip follow-up. 

• Research destinations; negotiate rates and terms with hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, and other vendors. 

• Track invoicing, payments, and budget compliance for assigned trips, delivering the highest value within budget. 

• Work closely with Council Trips team members and departments across CFR in support of programmatic and institutional priorities. 

• Staff member trips and CFR-wide events, including early morning and evening programs outside of regular business hours as needed. 

• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree in international relations or a related field is a plus. 

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years of related work experience, preferably including experience planning or leading educational, cultural, or foreign policy-focused travel programs. 
• Knowledge of foreign policy issues, U.S. foreign policy institutions, and the international landscape. 
• Must be eligible and willing to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional extended trips. 

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple trips and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact with senior executives, policymakers, and high-profile individuals.

• Demonstrated ability to provide concierge-level customer service and exercise sound judgment and discretion.

• Experience negotiating with vendors and managing budgets.

• High level of proficiency in Microsoft 365 and database management; aptitude to learn new technologies.

• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.

• Flexible, positive, team-oriented attitude with the ability to adjust to changing priorities.

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 $100,000 – $115,000, 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.