DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Organization: Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
Department: Meetings and Membership
Location: Washington, DC, United States
Employment Type: Full-Time
Annual Salary: $145,000–$155,000 USD

1. Position Summary

CFR's Government Affairs operation focuses on actively engaging members of Congress and their staff, executive branch officials, and Washington, DC-based diplomats to provide timely, relevant, and useful analysis to further inform policymaking.

Through discussion and examination of critical challenges facing the United States and the international community, the program seeks to serve as both a direct resource and convener of leading thinkers and practitioners in a nonpartisan forum.

The Director of Government Affairs will play an important role in strengthening CFR's engagement with policymakers, developing strategic outreach initiatives, maintaining influential congressional relationships, and ensuring CFR's expertise and research contribute meaningfully to policymaking.

This position requires an experienced professional with strong congressional or government relations experience, established Capitol Hill relationships, sound strategic judgement, and excellent communication and organizational abilities.

1. Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Government Relations and Congressional Engagement

Help craft and set strategies for outreach to members of Congress and congressional staff in innovative and policy-relevant ways.

Maintain a professional network on Capitol Hill and leverage those relationships to advance institutional priorities.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with congressional offices and relevant government stakeholders.

Strategic Policy Engagement

Develop and implement unique and customized outreach strategies for CFR initiatives and other institutional priorities.

Track international affairs developments on Capitol Hill.

Identify opportunities for CFR expertise and research to contribute to policymaking discussions.

Support strategic engagement with policymakers on important international and domestic policy challenges.

Policy Events, Briefings and Consultations

Moderate and oversee selected program events, roundtables, and briefings for policymakers and their staff.

Coordinate private consultations for members of Congress and their staff to ensure CFR expertise and products are incorporated into the policymaking process.

Organize and support meaningful policy discussions involving senior government officials and relevant experts.

Institutional and Stakeholder Relations

Invite and oversee relationships with outside experts participating in CFR programming.

Develop strong working relationships with CFR fellows to promote their expertise and scholarship.

Strengthen institutional relationships with policymakers, government representatives, and international affairs professionals.

Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

1. Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Experience

At least eight years of related professional experience.

Congressional or government relations experience is required.

A bachelor's degree in International Relations, Government, Public Policy, or another related field is required.

A master's degree is preferred.

Previous event planning experience is required.

Established relationships across a significant segment of the House or Senate environment.

Professional Skills and Other Requirements

Strong judgement, discretion, and strategic instincts to operate in high-level, dynamic, and confidential environments.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior principals.

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to multitask and solve problems independently.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team.

1. Compensation and Benefits

The full-time annual compensation range is:

$145,000–$155,000 USD per year.

Final compensation will depend on the successful candidate's professional experience and qualifications.

In addition to competitive salaries, the Council on Foreign Relations offers an outstanding employee benefits package.

1. Working Arrangement

The position is based at CFR's Washington, DC office and requires onsite attendance at least four days per week.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are designated institutional anchor days when all staff members are required to be onsite.

CFR's remote working schedule is subject to change.

1. About the Council on Foreign Relations

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of international affairs and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and the international community.

CFR brings together policymakers, scholars, business leaders, journalists, and other professionals to examine critical global challenges and contribute to informed foreign policy discussions.

The organization is committed to fostering a foreign policy community that represents a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives, supporting wider participation in foreign policy debates and a better understanding of the world's most important international issues.

1. Required Application Materials

Interested applicants are required to submit:

An updated professional résumé or CV.

A cover letter stating their interest in the position.

Applicants should demonstrate how their professional experience, government relations background, leadership capabilities, and understanding of international affairs align with the position's requirements.

1. Official Application Details

Organization: Council on Foreign Relations

Position: Director, Government Affairs

Location: Washington, DC, United States

Annual Compensation: $145,000–$155,000 USD