Director, Government Affairs

Salary $125,000 - $155,000 per year

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is hiring a Director of Government Affairs in Washington, DC. The Government Affairs program works with members of Congress and their staff, executive branch officials and Washington-based diplomats, giving them timely analysis and a nonpartisan setting to hear from leading thinkers and practitioners.

What you will do

• Help set strategy for outreach to members of Congress and congressional staff
• Keep up a professional network on Capitol Hill and use it to advance CFR priorities
• Moderate and run program events, roundtables and briefings for policymakers and their staff
• Arrange private consultations so CFR experts and products reach the policymaking process
• Build custom outreach plans for CFR initiatives and manage relationships with outside experts
• Work with CFR fellows to promote their scholarship, and track international affairs on Capitol Hill

Requirements

• Eight or more years of related experience, including event planning
• Congressional or government relations experience
• A bachelor's degree in international relations, government, public policy or a related field; master's preferred
• Established relationships across a significant part of the House or Senate
• Sound judgment and discretion in a confidential, high-level setting, and excellent writing and speaking skills

The job is in CFR's Washington office at least four days a week, with all staff on site Tuesday through Thursday. CFR lists the full-time salary range as $125,000 to $155,000, depending on experience. Submit a resume and cover letter.

Apply through the Council on Foreign Relations careers site.

How to apply

https://careers-cfr.icims.com/jobs/3070/director%2c-government-affairs/job

Council on Foreign Relations website

Posted 2026-11-08, open through 2027-02-06. Posted by the organization on ExecSearches.