The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The AP seeks an experienced journalist and newsroom leader to direct its all format coverage of Iran and the Gulf, including text, photo and video.

This is a critical leadership role covering one of the most consequential and competitive news regions in the world. You are not simply managing a geographic beat. You will help determine how AP reports and explains Iran and the Gulf to global audiences at a time when the region sits at the center of major geopolitical, security, economic and energy stories.

Based in this region and reporting to the News Director for the Middle East, the News Director for Iran and the Gulf will drive coverage that is fast, fair, fact based and distinctive.

You will be a strategic leader within AP's Middle East operation and will collaborate with regional and global news leadership to set and execute AP's coverage strategy for the territory. You will work with staff journalists, freelancers and contributors across the region to deliver on AP's editorial, customer and digital goals, often while navigating significant challenges.

AP is a 24/7 global operation. This role requires availability outside standard hours, including evenings, weekends and on-call responsiveness as news demands.

Location: This position may be based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates or Doha, Qatar.

What you will do:

Lead Breaking News Coverage

Drive real-time, multi-format coverage of fast-moving developments across Iran and the Gulf, ensuring AP is first and right on the stories that matter most.

Coordinate cross-format teams spanning text, photo, video, audio, graphics and digital from assignment through publication, ensuring cohesive and compelling storytelling and the strongest possible presentation of AP journalism for customers and digital audiences.

Take editorial command during major regional stories, including conflict, political upheaval, diplomatic crises, security incidents and other events with global consequences.

Anticipate security, access and coverage challenges and pivot decisively when breaking news demands it.

Work closely with regional breaking news leadership to ensure Iran and Gulf coverage is fully integrated into AP's wider Middle East response.

Appear on camera for digital video explainers and dispatches and possible lives for AP360.

Shape Editorial Strategy

Collaborate with AP's regional and global news leadership to define and execute coverage strategy for Iran and the Gulf.

Identify the stories that matter most from a region with major influence over global politics, security, energy markets, business and diplomacy.

Develop sourcing and reporting strategies that allow AP to deliver authoritative coverage.

Make sophisticated use of open-source reporting, verification, satellite imagery, social media and other reporting techniques to strengthen AP's ability to independently report developments.

Work with leadership to leverage audience data and platform signals to make smart, timely editorial decisions that drive engagement without compromising AP's standards or independence.

Develop enterprise, investigative and accountability coverage that goes beyond the daily news cycle to produce distinctive and richly reported journalism.

Generate exclusives and source-based reporting and develop networks across government, diplomacy, security, business and civil society.

Place a special focus on working closely with visual journalists to ensure AP's photo and video coverage serves the needs of global customers and digital audiences.

Build and Develop the Team

Lead, develop and support journalists covering Iran and the Gulf, creating a collaborative operation across the sub-region, and wider region as necessary.

Ensure text, visual and digital teams work together from the outset of major stories rather than operating in parallel.

Identify, recruit and develop outstanding talent, providing coaching, training and career development that keeps exceptional journalists at AP.

Create a culture of inclusion and psychological safety that enables journalists to do their best and most courageous work.

Support journalists operating in politically sensitive or volatile environments with sound planning, clear protocols and active duty of care.

Work closely and effectively with AP colleagues across the wider Middle East when stories cross borders or require regional deployment of resources.

Maintain AP's Editorial Standards

Uphold AP's commitment to accuracy, fairness, objectivity and independence while covering governments and conflicts that are among the most closely scrutinized in international journalism.

Ensure rigorous verification, particularly when reporting from environments where access is restricted, official information is tightly controlled or misinformation and disinformation are prevalent.

Build and sustain trusted relationships with authorities, diplomats, officials, sources and other stakeholders across the region to strengthen reporting, facilitate access and protect staff.

Who you are:

• 10+ years of full-time journalism experience, including significant leadership of a bureau, beat team, department or regional desk at a major news organization.
• A proven track record of breaking news and leading coverage of complex, fast-moving stories in high-stakes environments.
• Strong knowledge of the Middle East and a sophisticated understanding of the politics, security dynamics and international relationships shaping Iran and the Gulf.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-level sources and generate exclusive journalism.
• Ability to quickly discern and focus on the stories that will drive interest and engagement across platforms.
• Experience supporting, guiding and motivating multi-format newsrooms spanning text, photo, video, audio and digital.
• Demonstrated commitment to accuracy, fairness and editorial independence, especially under intense competitive or political pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple major story lines simultaneously across countries and formats.
• Advanced professional fluency in written and spoken English.
• Professional competency in Arabic and/or Farsi is strongly preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively across the region as access and security conditions permit.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

What will set you apart:

• Significant on-the-ground experience reporting or leading coverage on Iran, the Gulf or the wider Middle East.
• Deep regional sourcing and a record of producing exclusive or agenda-setting journalism.
• Experience covering conflict, geopolitics, national security and diplomacy. 
• Strong understanding of open-source intelligence, verification and investigative reporting techniques, particularly where conventional reporting access is restricted.
• Experience leading journalists operating in hostile, politically sensitive or high-security environments.
• A track record of editorial innovation and successful change management within a major newsroom.
• Experience mentoring reporters, editors, visual journalists and producers to tell complex stories in clear, compelling and platform-native ways.
• A strong all-formats mindset and a record of integrating text, photo, video and digital coverage around major stories.
• The leadership potential to take on broader responsibilities within AP's Middle East operation over time.

We will consider strong candidates who do not meet every listed qualification. Please use your cover letter to tell us about the unique perspective and experience you bring.

Application deadline is December 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law.