Associate Vice President, Media Relations and Strategy

The Associate Vice President of Media Relations and Strategy will serve as the strategic communications and external outreach partner for the Studies department, CFR’s think tank. Reporting to the Vice President for Global Communications, the Associate Vice President will provide high level strategic communications counsel in support of the scholars and products of the Studies department, elevating the Council’s profile and amplifying institutional priorities. This role is responsible for helping convey a wide range of scholarship—from complex policy research to quick turn analysis—to key stakeholders in government, academia, and the private sector via earned media. The AVP will collaborate closely with counterparts across the Council, including in Digital Content, Publications, and Government Relations.The Associate Vice President will also serve as a deputy department leader, supporting management of the Global Communications team, professional development of junior staff, and recruitment and retention efforts. They will work with senior leadership to advance CFR’s public policy impact and external engagement while safeguarding its reputation for expertise and nonpartisanship.This position is based in CFR’s Washington, D.C., office on a hybrid basis. CFR currently defines hybrid status as working at least three days a week onsite, with Tuesdays and Thursdays considered institutional anchor days when all staff are required to be onsite.Develop and lead the execution of a proactive and strategic communications and media engagement strategy for Studies Fellows, research, and publications. Working closely with Studies, this will include building and executing marketing plans for flagship works, ideas, and scholars themselves.Manage junior staff as a part of the team in support of said strategy. Draw on the resources and skills across the Communications team and support their professional development and growth.Collaborate with fellows and other key members of the organization, preparing them for media and public speaking engagements and refining their voice, and helping produce opportunities (e.g., op-eds, media appearances, etc.).Serve as the departmental deputy, working with the VP on overall management of the team, to include, for example, budget oversight, performance evaluations, and talent development. Serve as proxy for the Vice President when they are out of the office.Support management of systems and tools to track and respond to media requests, strengthen media relationships, coordinate media interactions, track and summarize media hits, and develop and maintain targeted media lists across the team.Support crisis communications and issues management as necessary in support of the department’s Directors for media relations and strategic communications.Work with colleagues across the institution to help drive attention to key Council initiatives, priorities, projects, and voices.Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.EducationBachelors degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Journalism, or a related fieldExperienceA minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a think tank, high-level political campaign, or government agency (e.g., State Department or similar). Experience working with scholars at a publisher, university, or similar is a plus.Proven history of successful people management and professional development.Deep expertise in the foreign policy media ecosystem and contacts with national and international media outlets.Extensive experience navigating the intersection of policy, politics, and press.Experience using media tracking tools and databases such as MuckRack, Cision, Critical Mention, TV Eyes, and/or Meltwater.Experience designing and executing strategic marketing campaigns for books, reports, and/or other long tail projects.Related Skills & Other RequirementsSuperior writing, verbal, and digital communications skills.Strong working knowledge of media relations and issues management.Ability to provide rapid response guidance on breaking global events with minimal oversight.Exceptional confidence and ability to effectively engage with and brief senior executives and scholars.Experience crafting and executing longer term programmatic and/or scholar strategic brand positioning to raise the profile of programs and individuals.Proven ability to navigate complex organizations and build consensus among diverse intellectual viewpoints.Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with reporters, editors, columnists, producers, and bookers.Track record drafting statements, talking points and Q&As.Understanding of how social algorithms and digital ecosystems amplify traditional media hits to reach specific policy-making audiences.Self-starter and strategic thinker with the ability to prioritize and synthesize.Strong collaborator with solid negotiation and stakeholder management skills.Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented, collaborative environment.Able to work under pressure quickly, effectively, and efficiently.Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $165,000 - 185,000, 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.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.

Created: 2026-01-30