West Coast Regional Engagement Director

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 based in Northern California 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, comprised of CFR members, state and local officials, technologists, college and university students and educators, religious leaders, local journalists, corporate contacts, 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 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 decision makers 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 Bay Area/Northern California. Frequent travel within the Bay Area and West Coast and periodic travel to CFR’s offices in New York and Washington, DC is required.

• Build and maintain a diverse regional network of leaders who can amplify CFR’s mission and bring global insights into their communities, institutions, and policy making 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.

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…