Assistant Director, Government Affairs

Position Summary

CFR’s Government Affairs operation is focused 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 the 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.

This position is based in CFR’s Washington, DC 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. This position will also be required to be on-site on Fridays to support in-person programming on Capitol Hill.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Organize roundtable meetings for members of Congress (including scheduling, arranging travel, drafting invitations, sending and monitoring event invitations, liaising with speakers, and making catering arrangements) to promote CFR experts and publications before foreign policy decisionmakers.
• Draft regular newsletters, issue briefs, and electronic outreach to promote CFR products and experts
• Coordinate with CFR programs and initiatives on joint, bespoke programming for policymakers and their staff.
• Schedule private consultations for congressional staff to ensure CFR expertise and products are incorporated into the policymaking process.
• Track international affairs developments on Capitol Hill.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, government, public policy, or other related field. 

Experience

• 4+ years of related experience, with some event planning experience preferred.
• Congressional or government relations experience, including internships, required.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong research skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills, including exceptional proofreading and editing abilities.
• Superior skills in MS Word, Excel, Adobe suite, and database management.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to multi-task and problem solve independently.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and on a team.
• 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 $70,000-75,000, 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.