Managing Director of Administration

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President and Director of Studies, the Managing Director oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of Studies, CFR’s internal think tank. This includes staffing, budgeting, and developing and implementing departmental procedures. It also involves working with senior staff outside of Studies in areas including human resources, fundraising, compliance, and outreach.

Objectives of this role:

• Partners with the Director of Studies to both drive the creation of high quality, rigorous, and original policy scholarship and to expand the reach and increase the impact of Studies work and analysis.
• Builds and nurtures a team of Fellows, Research Associates and other Studies staff through effective recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management, and retention.
• Works to build a collegial and collaborative culture within Studies and more broadly across CFR.
• Works to ensure Studies and CFR’s solid financial position through internal Studies and CFR cross-department collaboration to raise and allocate funds.

Major Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Oversees internal day-to-day Studies operations and administration.
• Creates and implements procedures to meet Studies and CFR-wide goals.
• Develops, plans and coordinates operational activities for Studies, including budgeting, staffing, fundraising, and legal compliance, working with teams such as human resources, development, finance, and legal.
• Manages grant operations for pre and post award funding, including coordinating working with Fellows, Finance, and Development on proposals and reports.
• Oversees onboarding and training of new employees.
• Manages administrative staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience leading operations and administration of a large team or department.
• At least ten years of progressive responsibility at a supervisory level.
• Experienced people manager comfortable with hiring, providing performance feedback and handling conflict resolution.
• Ability to provide initiative, judgment, and creativity in the resolution of complex problems.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal; proven track record of forming collaborative and effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Interest in international relations and research.

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.

The Council on Foreign Relations is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from a diverse background.