Foreign Affairs Communications Manager

Position Summary The Foreign Affairs Communications Manager promotes the scholarship of Foreign Affairs magazine, the leading journal for foreign policy analysis published by the Council on Foreign Relations. This work is integral to furthering the Council’s mission of informing the U.S. role in the world by positioning Foreign Affairs authors and analysis in front of global audiences, helping drive conversation and debate on the most consequential geopolitical issues of the day. Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager of Foreign Affairs , this individual builds and executes comprehensive promotion plans for the magazine’s issue launches (6x per year) and its daily online essays to drive discourse and earned media coverage across traditional and emerging channels. They serve as a central point of contact for authors and media contacts, pitching essays and booking interviews across platforms, and developing a wide network of reporters, editors, and producers to leverage in breaking news moments and for longer-form discussions. This person will maintain coverage trackers, press lists, and other systems. This individual is highly visible within the broader Foreign Affairs editorial and business teams in development of promotion plans and communication of the magazine’s coverage. This role is part of the Global Communications & Media Relations team and will support the broader department goals and participating in on-call rotations. This role may also support intern supervision. This full-time position is based in CFR’s New York City office at least three days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays are considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. Effective Monday, September 14, 2026, CFR employees will be based on-site at least four days per week. CFR’s remote working schedule is subject to change. Essential Functions/Responsibilities Develop and execute comprehensive promotion plans for Foreign Affairs issue launches (6x per year) and daily online essays, coordinating across editorial and business teams to drive earned media coverage. Read each Foreign Affairs article, tracking publication timelines to maintain a strong pulse on content across the magazine’s full portfolio. Monitor world news, external media coverage and industry updates to inform strategy and effectively position Foreign Affairs scholarship Draft compelling pitches, compile and update press lists, engage authors on promotion opportunities, and coordinate with media contacts on coverage opportunities. Develop impactful and innovative methods to spotlight Foreign Affairs content and brand, remaining nimble in an evolving media landscape. Build and maintain a wide network of media contacts across traditional and emerging channels for both reactive and proactive media engagement. Leverage digital tools to identify media targets and track mentions over time. Collaborate with Foreign Affairs editorial and business teams on promotion planning and communicating the magazine's coverage internally. Identify, hire, onboard, and mentor Foreign Affairs media relations interns. Contribute to team-wide on-call staffing rotations over weekends and holidays or during high-demand periods, including general inbox monitoring, monitoring CFR media mentions and compiling coverage reports, staffing high-profile meetings, and generally assisting on team projects. Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required. Minimum Qualifications Experience A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in media engagement and public relations. Related Skills & Other Requirements Strong news judgement and deep understanding of media ecosystem, particularly the foreign policy media ecosystem. Proven ability to understand complex foreign policy issues and international affairs. Superior writing, verbal, and digital communications skills with proven ability to execute sensitive communications. Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with media contacts across TV, print, podcast and newsletter platforms. Comfortable working in a digital environment using digital tools, including website content management systems. Comfortable providing counsel to senior executives. Strong collaborator with solid stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented, collaborative environment. Able to work under pressure quickly, effectively, and efficiently. Comfort with on-call responsibilities and availability during high-demand news cycles, including outside standard business hours. Preferred but not required: Experience using media tracking tools/databases and ESPs such as MuckRack, Cision, Critical Mention, TV Eyes, Meltwater, Sailthru. 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 $82,000 – $88,000, 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 a health and wellness program, an on-site fitness center, and generous leave policies and health insurance programs. 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.