Job Description

Position Summary

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)—the nation’s premier national membership organization and think tank dedicated to U.S. foreign policy—seeks an experienced Regional Engagement Director ideally based in the San Francisco Bay Area with deep, established ties to Northern California’s tech community to lead strategic outreach and engagement efforts on the West Coast. Working under the Vice President of the National Program and Outreach department and in close collaboration with CFR President Mike Froman’s Chief of Staff, this role will strengthen and expand CFR’s network of constituents in the region with an emphasis on technologists. Additional groups the Director will liaise with include CFR members, corporate contacts, state and local officials, , religious leaders, local journalists, college and university students and educators, and other civil society voices to deepen understanding of U.S. policy, foreign affairs, and the global-local nexus, while connecting regional audiences with CFR’s research, expertise, and programming.

The Director will cultivate relationships with technologists and other related community and policy leaders, participate in regional convenings and briefings, develop a regional outreach and engagement strategy to elevate CFR’s presence in collaboration with other senior leaders in the department, inform regional programmatic strategy, and support efforts to broaden CFR’s impact among decisionmakers at all levels on the West Coast. This is a relationship-building and engagement role that will interface with contacts in person extensively; the bulk of programming logistics will remain with the Directors of the National Program and Outreach teams who will be thought partners on regional strategy and execution.

This is a fully remote position based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The ideal candidate currently lives in Northern California and has both a nuanced understanding of the tech sector in the Bay Area and an established network of contacts within it. Frequent travel within the Bay Area and West Coast and periodic travel to CFR’s offices in New York and Washington, DC is required.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a diverse regional network of leaders who can amplify CFR’s mission and bring global insights into their communities, institutions, and policymaking environments.
• Develop a comprehensive strategy to expand CFR’s reach throughout the region in collaboration with the Vice President and senior leaders in the National Program and Outreach department and CFR President Mike Froman’s Chief of Staff by identifying and engaging influential civic, business, technology, academic, military, religious, and local government leaders.
• Strengthen CFR’s connections with all constituency groups on the ground, ensuring they have access to CFR experts, resources, and briefings on critical foreign policy issues.
• Gain insights from local audiences to shape and tailor regional programming and content strategies.
• Identify and engage strategic partner organizations to raise CFR’s profile with West Coast audiences.
• Attend regional events hosted by CFR and other institutions and source venues and format ideas.
• Facilitate ongoing communication and engagement with CFR members and stakeholders across the region.
• Support cross-departmental initiatives, including special projects, delegation visits, national convenings, and digital outreach.
• Work closely with senior staff in other CFR departments including Membership, Corporate, and Studies to engage key contacts and deepen relationships with the Council.
• Serve as a representative for CFR at regional events, conferences, and convenings and an on-the-ground resource for logistics and programming.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• BA or BS in international relations; science, technology, and society; public policy; political science; communications; or related field and expertise in current U.S. foreign policy and international affairs issues and their nexus with the tech industry. MA or MS preferred.

Experience and Related Skill Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, public policy, the technology industry, outreach, community organizing, and/or strategic partnerships in the Bay Area.
• Deep understanding of the tech sector in the Bay Area and an established network of contacts within it, including, but not limited to, founders, executives, investors, and policy leads at technology companies. Additional knowledge of and experience in the LA and Seattle tech ecosystems a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with senior leaders across sectors, including technology, government, academia, business, and civil society on the West Coast.
• Experience planning large meetings and events, producing high quality programming, and managing external partnerships.
• Strong communication, writing, and public speaking skills, with the ability to translate complex international issues for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment.
• Experience working with high-level contacts; ability to maintain confidentiality and to use appropriate discretion.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the West Coast region and periodically to CFR offices.

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 $160,000 – $180,000, 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.