Regional Engagement Director (West Coast)

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 a distinguished Regional Engagement Director based in Northern California to lead strategic outreach and engagement efforts on the West Coast. Working under both the Vice President and Senior Director of the National Program and Outreach department, this senior 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 and lead 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 with a dedicated travel budget to support engagement across the Bay Area and West Coast region, as well as periodic travel to CFR’s offices in New York and Washington, DC. CFR will provide support for a professional home office setup.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Build and steward 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 senior leaders in the National and Outreach department 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 leadership and 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.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications Education

• BA in international relations, public policy, political science, communications, or related field and interest in current U.S. foreign policy and international affairs issues. MA preferred.

Experience And Related Skills Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in public affairs, public policy, outreach, community organizing, government relations, and/or strategic partnerships; experience working with local leaders in the Bay Area is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with senior leaders across sectors, including government, academia, business, and civil society on the West Coast.
• Deep understanding of the tech sector in the Bay Area and regionally on the West Coast
• Experience planning large meetings and events, producing high quality programming, and managing external partnerships.
• Exceptional 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.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Bay Area and broader West Coast region, with periodic travel to CFR's offices in New York City and Washington, DC required.

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 $170,000 – $190,000, 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.

National Program and Outreach

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) National Program and Outreach department is dedicated to raising the profile of CFR and developing relationships with communities across the United States, with the goal of promoting an informed citizenry through curated, accessible programming and the dissemination of CFR resources. The National Program hosts in-person events regularly in twelve cities, including San Francisco/Silicon Valley, and engages CFR’s members who reside outside of New York and Washington, DC. Current Outreach initiatives focus on state and local officials; local journalists; college and university educators, administrators, and students; and religion leaders, with technologists as a new target audience to engage. CFR is actively looking to build and enhance its presence on the West Coast beginning with the Bay Area.