About the position
The Program Coordinator for the National Program at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) plays a crucial role in facilitating discussions on pressing foreign policy issues among CFR's diverse membership, which is largely based outside of the organization's New York and Washington, DC hubs. This position is responsible for organizing approximately eighty on-the-ground meetings each year across various cities, as well as two large annual events and interactive virtual programming. The coordinator will be involved in all aspects of event planning and execution, ensuring that each event runs smoothly and meets the high standards expected by CFR and its members. Key responsibilities include planning and coordinating logistics for National Program events, which involves drafting and sending meeting correspondence, arranging venues and catering, preparing meeting materials, and managing meeting records in a database. The coordinator will also assist with the logistics and execution of the annual National Conference in June and the National Symposium in December, which includes implementing the event app, editing bios, preparing meeting materials, and tracking responses. Additionally, the coordinator will support virtual National Program roundtables held via Zoom, which entails drafting meeting correspondence, building meetings in Zoom, preparing materials, and managing records. The role also requires contributing to topic development and speaker suggestions for various National Program events, proofreading departmental documents, drafting activity or event reports, and analyzing statistical data. Maintaining database records and departmental tracking spreadsheets is essential, as is collaborating with staff from other departments and external organizations to coordinate schedules and share relevant information. The coordinator will provide general project support to the department, including attending and working at National Program and Outreach events held outside of regular business hours.
Responsibilities
- Planning and coordinating logistics for National Program events in select cities.
- Drafting and sending meeting correspondence for events.
- Arranging venues and catering details for events.
- Preparing meeting materials and managing meeting records in a database.
- Assisting with logistics, planning, and execution of the annual National Conference and National Symposium.
- Implementing the event app and editing bios for events.
- Tracking responses for events and meetings.
- Planning or supporting logistics for virtual National Program roundtables held via Zoom.
- Contributing to topic development and speaker suggestions for National Program events.
- Proofreading departmental documents and general correspondence for CFR style.
- Drafting activity or event reports and analyzing statistical data.
- Maintaining database records and departmental tracking spreadsheets.
- Collaborating with staff in other departments and with external organizations on coordinating schedules and events.
- Providing general project support to the department, including attending and working at events outside of business hours.
Requirements
- Three or more years of logistical and administrative and/or event planning experience.
- BA in international relations or related field with high academic achievement and proven interest in current U.S. foreign policy and international affairs issues.
- Ability to multitask and manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously.
- Superior organizational and time management skills, as well as attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills.
- Ability to meet demanding deadlines with a positive attitude and interact with members and the public in a professional manner.
- Team player with capacity to take initiative, demonstrate flexibility, and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working with high-level contacts or in member relations; ability to maintain confidentiality and to use appropriate discretion.
- Microsoft Word and Excel skills; Microsoft Dynamics CRM or other database experience preferred.
- Availability to work flexible hours and overtime, as necessary.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with event app implementation.
- Familiarity with statistical data analysis.
Benefits
- Award-winning health and wellness program.
- On-site fitness center.
- Generous leave policies.
- Health insurance programs.
