Staff Writer/ Editor

Council on Foreign Relations; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

On-site fitness center

Generous leave policies

Job summary

The Council on Foreign Relations seeks a Staff Writer-Editor to join our newsroom-focused content team. The role centers on writing and editing explainers, analyses, and CFR content for broad audiences, with a strong emphasis on accuracy and CFR house style.

Two full-time positions are available; one in New York City and one in Washington, D.C., with four onsite days per week. Experience editing, researching, and producing diverse editorial formats is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in a newsroom or online news publication.
• Hands-on experience covering or editing content related to the news.

Responsibilities

• Writes explainers and other digital content for general audiences.
• Edits and copyedits commentaries, explainers, trackers, and CFR materials with house style.
• Fact-checks content rigorously across edited work.
• Monitors the news and pitches timely content.
• Contributes to daily homepage editing and curation on CFR.org.
• Collaborates with data visualization team to develop content.
• Supports newsletters, podcast scripts, video, and social content production.
• Tracks project management tools for digital content.

Skills

News judgement

Writing

Editing

Copyediting

AP style

CMS

Airtable

Data literacy

Team collaboration

AI tools (Claude/ChatGPT)

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism

Tools

CMS platforms

Airtable

Job description

Position Summary

CFR is building its efforts to cover the news and create relevant content, and this hire will be central to that work. The Staff Writer-Editor monitors global developments, produces clear and timely foreign policy explainers for general audiences, and edits a range of CFR-produced content—from expert commentaries and explainers to trackers and other coverage formats. The ideal candidate brings newsroom instincts, judgment, and pacing to a mission‑driven environment. This role will primarily support text-based content, so candidates should have experience editing or writing articles, explainers, analyses, etc.

We are hiring two people for this full‑time position, one will be based in CFR’s New York City another will be based in CFR's Washington D.C. offices at least four days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are considered institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite. CFR’s remote working schedule is subject to change.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities

• Writes explainers and other digital content across a broad range of foreign policy topics for general audiences
• Edits and copyedits commentaries, explainers, trackers, and other materials produced by CFR fellows and Digital Content staff, applying CFR house style
• Fact‑checks and verifies content rigorously across all edited and produced work
• Monitors the news and pitches timely content; proactively reaches out to CFR fellows as stories develop
• Contributes to daily homepage editing and curation on CFR.org
• Works with the data visualization and graphics team to develop and package content
• Assists in the production and editing of newsletters, podcast scripts, and video and social media content
• Tracks and updates project management tools for relevant digital content
• Supports cross‑departmental initiatives and other editorial functions as needed
• Performs any other duties or tasks as assigned or required

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field is required
• At least 3 years of experience in a newsroom or online news publication; candidates should have hands‑on experience covering or editing content related to the news

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong news judgment, including an instinct for what travels on social media
• Strong writing, editing, and copyediting skills, with willingness to learn and apply CFR house style; familiarity with AP style a plus
• Rigorous fact‑checking and verification habits
• A solid grounding in foreign policy and international affairs; regional expertise or subject‑matter knowledge (e.g., economics, climate, security) a plus
• Experience with CMS or website management systems strongly preferred; familiarity with editorial platforms such as Airtable a plus
• Experience working with data a plus
• Comfortable contributing across editorial formats—newsletters, podcasts, video, and social
• Able to work quickly and accurately in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven news environment
• Strong collaborative instincts and ability to work across departments
• Familiarity with AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT a plus

Compensation And Benefits

• The full‑time annual compensation range for this position is $69,000– $75,000, 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.