Program Assistant, New York Meetings

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.

The Program Assistant will be a member of the Meetings Program, which brings major international and domestic officials, thought leaders, and other experts together with CFR members over the course of more than 200 meetings each year.

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

• Handling registrations for over 200 CFR meetings, conferences, and symposia on the member website (taking place virtually, in New York, and in Washington, DC)

• Extensive use of membership database requiring advanced skills to write and execute statistical queries, enter event attendance data, generate general database reports, and compile meeting statistics

• Preparing program rosters for all events and creating program booklets for special lectureships, symposia, and conferences

• Tracking and reporting daily on audience development for upcoming events

• Drafting, sending, and following up on invitations to potential speakers

• Preparing vouchers for payment to vendors

• Providing administrative support for Meetings leads of events, as well as attending and staffing meetings to assist with logistics, and acting as back up operator on Zoom for virtual meetings

• Helping to schedule internal staff meetings and perform additional administrative duties as needed for departmental functions

• With experience, coordinating logistics for select meetings each year, including drafting meeting announcements, speaker and presider invitations, maintaining database of event information, audience development, posting meeting information on the CFR member website

• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in international relations or a related field with high academic achievement.

Experience

• Knowledge of current foreign policy issues, ongoing debates, and structures of U.S. and international policymaking
• One to two years related experience, with some event planning experience preferred

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Self-starter with excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Flexible, positive, team-oriented attitude
• Strong research skills and written and verbal communication skills, including proofreading and editing ability
• Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and database management
• Ability to work flexible hours (many events are held over breakfast or in the evening)

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 $55,000 – $57,000, 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 (DEI) 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 : $55,000 - $57,000