Vice President and Executive Director, CFR West

Council on Foreign Relations•, CA

19d•$300,000 - $350,000

About The Position

CFR seeks a founding leader to build and lead CFR West, a new initiative connecting technology and foreign policy communities. Reporting to CFR’s president and working closely with senior leadership, the board of directors, and a newly formed CFR West Advisory Board, the leader will shape the initiative and direct its launch. The role combines entrepreneurship, convening, subject-matter expertise, and representation. The position is suited to a leader with deep credibility and relationships in the technology community, curiosity about foreign policy, and the ability to build an innovative initiative within an established institution. The head of CFR West will be supported by a West Coast Regional Engagement Director, who manages day-to-day member relationships and coordinates programming with CFR’s Executive Office and National Program and Outreach team. The head will work with CFR leadership to build an on-the-ground team based on the leader’s strengths. The role develops CFR West’s strategy, operating model, priorities, and measurable goals; builds relationships across the technology community; shapes West Coast programming and distinctive convening experiences; connects technology perspectives with CFR research; develops new products and programs for technical audiences; represents CFR on the West Coast; cultivates philanthropic and corporate support; and provides strategic direction to CFR West staff. The position requires frequent travel across the West Coast and periodic travel to New York, Washington, and other technology hubs. This is a full-time position with annual compensation of $300,000–$350,000, depending on experience. CFR offers a benefits package that includes an award-winning health and wellness program, an on-site fitness center, generous leave policies, and health insurance programs. Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter describing their interest in the role and perspective on what CFR West could become.

Requirements

Senior leadership experience in the technology sector, such as as an operating executive, founder, investor, or research leader.
Extensive relationships across the West Coast technology community and the respect of its leaders.
Meaningful exposure to the policy world through government service, technology-company policy roles, advisory work, or sustained engagement with national security or foreign policy issues.
A track record of building something from the ground up, such as a company, product, program, or organization, and bringing others along.
Entrepreneurial approach and comfort with ambiguity, with the ability to move from vision to execution within an established institution.
Ability to convene and translate policy for technologists and technology for policymakers.
Nonpartisan judgment, discretion, and credibility with leaders across sectors and perspectives; ability to work across partisan, industry, and geographic boundaries.
Intellectual range across AI, defense technology, economic security, and U.S.–Asia relations.
Collaborative leadership and ability to work with a Board, advisors, and colleagues across departments.
Willingness to travel frequently across the West Coast and periodically to New York, Washington, and other technology hubs.
Submit a CV and cover letter describing interest in the role and a perspective on what CFR West could become.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CFR or comparable institutions at the intersection of policy and industry.

Responsibilities

Develop and recommend a strategy and operating model for CFR West, including prioritized activities and implementation phases.
Set measurable goals for the initiative and report progress to CFR executive leadership and the Board.
Advocate internally for adapting CFR’s products, formats, and use of technology, applying lessons from CFR West across the institution.
Build relationships with technology-sector founders, CEOs, policy leaders, research leads, engineering executives, investors, venture capitalists, and emerging leaders.
Identify future leaders and work with the Membership department to recruit and engage technology-sector prospects.
Help develop CFR’s young technologist cohort of globally minded engineers and entrepreneurs.
Partner with West Coast Board members and chair the CFR West Advisory Board, drawing on members for advice, introductions, and access.
Shape a distinctive West Coast convening agenda, building on CFR’s National Symposium in Menlo Park and existing Bay Area programming.
Create experiences beyond panels, including tabletop exercises, war games, foreign policy bootcamps, and fact-finding missions.
Select accessible and attractive venues across the area for convenings.
Work with the Studies department to bring technology-community perspectives into CFR research, Task Forces, and study groups, including West Coast sessions.
Help develop formats for technical audiences, such as simulations, scenario exercises, and interactive tools.
Help design and launch a technologist-in-residence program.
Serve as CFR’s senior representative on the West Coast and a visible voice for the initiative in the technology community.
Work with CFR’s Development and Corporate teams to identify and cultivate philanthropic and corporate support for CFR West.
Provide oversight and strategic direction to the Regional Engagement Director and any future CFR West staff.
Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.