Communications Specialist

careers-cfr; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking a Communications Specialist to support earned media for CFR’s Studies department, drafting press releases, advisories, and pitches. You’ll help maintain media lists and track mentions, and contribute to event staffing and briefings from CFR’s Washington, DC office.

Based in DC with on-site involvement required three days a week (anchor days Tue–Thu); effective Sept 14, 2026, onsite four days weekly. Remote scheduling may change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent.
• At least 2 years in media relations, communications, media industry, or journalism.
• Experience with monitoring databases and engagement tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Cision/PR Newswire, Meltwater).
• Experience with CRMs and ESPs.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute earned media strategies for CFR Studies.
• Draft and edit news releases and media advisories.
• Develop resource materials for journalists and editors.
• Maintain press distribution lists and media mentions.
• Staff DC-based events and support virtual briefings.
• Monitor media inquiries and assist with intern recruitment.

Skills

Media relations

Press writing

Deadline-driven

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent

Tools

Muck Rack

Cision/PR Newswire

Meltwater

CRMs

ESPs

Job description

Position Summary

POSITION SUMMARY

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking a Communications Specialist to support the planning and execution of earned media strategies for CFR’s Studies department, helping to advance the visibility of their work. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, this role will draft and edit press releases, media advisories, and targeted pitches; develops resource materials for journalists, editors, producers, and bookers; and maintains press distribution lists and media mention tracking.

The Communications Specialist contributes to the full range of team operations such as staffing events, supporting virtual media briefings on breaking news, monitoring the communications inbox, and assisting with intern recruitment and supervision.

This position is based in CFR’s Washington, DC office at least three days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and 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

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support planning and execution of earned media strategies in support of CFR scholarship, specifically the work of CFR fellows and the Studies Department as a whole. This includes engaging fellows in D.C. and coordinating with counterparts in Meetings, Publications, and Events.
• Under the guidance of the D.C.-based AVP and in collaboration with the Senior Specialist and colleagues across the team, help promote Studies products (such as CFR books and reports) and announcements (for example, of events and new fellows and initiatives), including through the drafting and editing of news releases and media advisories.
• In coordination with the Senior Specialist, engage Research Assistants to help track fellows’ availability and media appearances, update expert pages, and maintain a running catalog of media mentions.
• Work with the Senior Specialist and AVP to map media targets based on issues and audiences. Help craft resource guides and materials for media targets (reporters, editors, columnists, bookers, producers) with CFR content, fellows profiles, and other collateral to position CFR as a resource consistently and during key news cycle moments.
• Alongside other members of the team:
  • Staff DC-based events and book photography
  • Add media mentions for the weekly report for Leadership
  • Help update media highlights on CFR.org
  • Help monitor and act on media inquiries in the Comms inbox
  • Assist with onboarding new members of the comms team
  • Help manage DC-based events and help book photography
  • Help interview, select, and supervise DC-based interns
  • Take turns with team members to organize and manage virtual media briefings on fast-breaking global news
  • Compile and update press distro lists covering various topics/regions
  • Draft and send targeted media pitches for events, publications, and initiatives
  • Draft and send press notes, press releases, and media advisories
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent
• At least 2 years of related experience in media relations, communications, media industry, or journalism.
• Previous experience working with monitoring databases and engagement tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Cision/PR Newswire, Meltwater).
• Previous experience working with CRMs and ESPs.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Excellent writing and editing skills and experience writing news releases and copy editing.
• Proven knowledge of and demonstrated interest in current U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong working knowledge of international issues and familiarity with media landscape.
• Candidates must be proactive, organized, and able to excel in a deadline-driven environment.
• Candidates must have the ability and willingness to work flexible hours when necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $63,000 – $70,000, 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 an award-winning 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.