The Council on Foreign Relations

HR Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the CHRO

Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in HR or administrative roles with a focus on project coordination, ideally cross-functional.
  • Bachelor's degree is preferred but not mandatory.
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential.
  • High attention to detail with a proven track record of organization.
  • Experience working in fast-paced environments, independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary contact point for HR inquiries and facilitate direction to appropriate resources.
  • Oversee HR department projects, tracking action items and timelines for effective operation.
  • Enhance HR processes and procedures, driving operational efficiencies and consistency.
  • Coordinate HR team meetings and maintain clear documentation of discussions and follow-ups.
  • Manage logistics for HR events, ensuring effective training and engagement programming.
  • Provide comprehensive support to the CHRO, including calendar and travel management.
  • Draft communications and documents to aid the CHRO in project updates and meeting summaries.

Benefits

  • Outstanding benefits package includes health and wellness options.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Supportive workplace culture focused on team collaboration.
Full 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
Required Application Materials
  • Please submit a rsum and cover letter stating your interest in the position.
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 The Council on Foreign Relations

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a nonpartisan think tank and membership organization focused on foreign policy and international affairs. The organization was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in New York City. The CFR conducts research, publishes reports and books, and hosts events and discussions on a wide range of topics related to foreign policy and international relations. The organization is made up of members from a variety of backgrounds, including business, academia, and government. The CFR is widely regarded as one of the most influential foreign policy organizations in the United States.
Learn more about The Council on Foreign Relations
Size
500 employees
Industry
Founded
1921

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