HR Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the CHRO

Council on Foreign Relations; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) seeks an organized HR Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the CHRO for CFR's New York office. This dual-role coordinates HR activities, manages cross-functional projects, and supports executive operations with confidentiality and tact.

You will handle calendar and travel logistics, meeting notes, vendor and invoice processes, and act as a trusted liaison across CFR offices and HR sub-groups. On-site full-time commitment required.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant experience coordinating cross-functional HR projects.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.
• HR experience preferred but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication; high discretion.

Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for Human Resources department and CHRO, triaging inquiries and directing employees to the appropriate HR resource in a timely and professional manner.
• Manage action items for the HR leadership team; track priorities, projects, and department wide timelines to ensure cohesion across HR sub-teams.
• Support the documentation and continuous improvement of HR operational processes and standard operating procedures to drive efficiency and consistency across the department.
• Manage HR department calendar and team meetings; take minutes and circulate notes to team; outline and coordinate action items.
• Support event logistics for HR events, including engagement programming and trainings.
• Manage executive support to the CHRO including, but not limited to: calendar management, expense reports processing, contract review, invoices processing, travel schedule arrangement, and document management.
• Attend meetings with CHRO, when appropriate, and take notes for follow-up and/or circulation.
• Draft communications and/or other documents for CHRO such as status updates on projects or meeting minutes.
• Provide a bridge for smooth communication between the office of the CHRO and leaders and staff across the organization; foster important internal and external relationships that facilitate departmental success.
• Support HR team with coverage for in-person events, candidate interviews, or other all-hands-on-deck situations.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Skills

Cross-functional coordination

Project coordination

Executive support

Communication

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Outlook

Microsoft Office Suite

ATS

CRM systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking an organized and proactive HR Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the CHRO. In this dual-function role, this person will serve as a central coordination point for the HR department including triaging communications, ensuring information flows smoothly, and connecting the right people to the right information. This role will manage and track cross-functional HR projects and initiatives, support logistics for learning and engagement events, organize team meetings, and capture clear meeting notes that keep the team aligned. This role also acts as a key liaison across HR sub-groups and between CFR's offices, fostering cohesion and operational consistency throughout the department.

As Executive Assistant to the CHRO, this role will provide high-quality, confidential administrative support including calendar management, travel coordination, expense and invoice processing, and meeting preparation. This role serves as a trusted partner to the CHRO, helping to protect her time, proactively anticipate her needs, and ensure she is positioned for success.

As this role is a key presence for the department, you will work full-time onsite in CFR's New York office. This position requires a high level of discretion and confidentiality and the ability to manage relationships both internally and externally.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for Human Resources department and CHRO, triaging inquiries and directing employees to the appropriate HR resource in a timely and professional manner,
• Manage action items for the HR leadership team; track priorities, projects, and department wide timelines to ensure cohesion across HR sub-teams,
• Support the documentation and continuous improvement of HR operational processes and standard operating procedures to drive efficiency and consistency across the department,
• Manage HR department calendar and team meetings; take minutes and circulate notes to team; outline and coordinate action items,
• Support event logistics for HR events, including engagement programming and trainings,
• Manage executive support to the CHRO including, but not limited to: calendar management, expense reports processing, contract review, invoices processing, travel schedule arrangement, and document management,
• Attend meetings with CHRO, when appropriate, and take notes for follow-up and/or circulation,
• Draft communications and/or other documents for CHRO such as status updates on projects or meeting minutes,
• Provide a bridge for smooth communication between the office of the CHRO and leaders and staff across the organization; foster important internal and external relationships that facilitate departmental success,
• Support HR team with coverage for in-person events, candidate interviews, or other all-hands-on-deck situations,
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience, including experience working cross-functionally and project coordination
• Bachelor's degree preferred, but not required
• HR experience preferred, but not required

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Superb customer service skills across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders
• Excellent organization and multitasking skills, with demonstrated proactive ownership and accountability
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team
• Able to make decisions and handle sensitive and confidential HR information using sound judgment and discretion
• Effective problem-solving capabilities; ability to anticipate patterns and links; looks beyond the immediate problem to the wider implications
• Advanced knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Suite
• Experience with ATS or CRM systems are a plus
• Qualified candidates will have related experience that required judgment, strong writing and editing ability, the ability to prioritize, and experience interacting with various stakeholders from staff to candidates to executive team members

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is 90,000-$100,000, 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.