Associate Director, Audio-Visual Management

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. 

Position Summary

The Audio-Visual Management team is seeking an Associate Director, AV Management to lead and oversee all aspects of audio/visual operations for all internal New York meetings and events as well as external rental events such as holiday parties, weddings, corporate conferences. We are looking for a strategic leader who combines deep technical expertise with strong project management skills, ensuring flawless event execution, innovative AV solutions, and efficient lifecycle management of AV equipment. The successful candidate will manage staff, coordinate complex projects, and drive continuous improvements while delivering best-in-class customer service and measurable operational results. 

The major responsibilities of this position will include (but are not limited to):

• Manage and develop a small AV team, ensuring that all responsibilities are effectively delegated, executed to the highest standards, and aligned with organizational goals. 
• Administer the full lifecycle of AV equipment—from procurement through maintenance, repair, and eventual decommissioning—in close collaboration with current vendors and manufacturers to ensure timely replacement or repair.
• Ensure detailed documentation, strict inventory control, and compliance with warranty and patch management protocols. 
• Oversee the design, planning, and execution of AV projects, including the complete procurement and RFP process with multiple vendors. 
• Manage and execute AV operations for New York internal Council events and rental events, supporting over 1,800 in-person meetings and 500 virtual events annually. 
• Manage strong relationships with external vendors and manufacturers, as well as internal partners to support AV operations.  
• Collaborate closely with senior management, finance, and legal teams to ensure solutions meet strategic and operational requirements. 
• Oversee multimedia production for events, including post-event editing and uploading.  
• Manage NY studio operations for podcast recordings, live news hits, and video shoots. 
• Develop and implement standardized AV deployment procedures, workflows, and dashboards to monitor system health.  
• Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in the field of audio-visual technology to recommend innovative solutions. 
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required. 

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required 
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant certifications are preferred 

Experience

• 7 years of managerial-level experience in AV integration, presentation, and project management within a corporate and/or fast paced event environment. 
• Demonstrated experience with AV hardware and systems (e.g., Q‑SYS, Crestron, Extron, Shure, videoconferencing solutions including Poly, Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams Rooms) with a strong aptitude for troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues.  
• Proven ability to manage networked AV solutions, including familiarity in basic networking concepts such as TCP/IP, IP addressing, VLAN configuration, QoS, multicast protocols, and the use of network troubleshooting tools. 
• Strong project management skills, including experience overseeing large-scale AV projects from planning through execution, with a keen eye on budgeting and process optimization. 

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure during live events. Strong collaboration skills and ability to work with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues swiftly. 
• Ability to lift and carry weight of up to 50 pounds (e.g., Video wall panels) 

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 $95,000 – $110,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

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.

The Council on Foreign Relations is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from a diverse background.

Salary : $95,000 - $110,000