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 Associated Press seeks an experienced journalist and newsroom leader to direct its coverage of Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan in all formats as a news director, based in Jerusalem.  

Responsibilities: Reporting to the news director for the Middle East, this news director will drive coverage in all formats that is comprehensive, fast and accurate, consistently breaks news and is a source of distinct, richly reported enterprise in a highly competitive news environment. This news director is a strategic leader in AP’s Middle East region and will collaborate with AP’s regional and global news leadership to set and execute AP’s strategy for coverage of the territory. You will work with the team of journalists, and contributors to deliver on AP’s strategic and digital goals, ensuring coverage needs are met, often in challenging security environments. You must be able and willing to work at night and on weekends, or as coverage demands, as AP is a 24/7 operation.   

We're looking for someone who will:   

1. Collaborate with diverse teams of journalists in all formats – text, photo, video, audio, digital/social, interactive and graphics – from a story’s inception to its publication, ensuring the strongest presentation of AP journalism for customers and digital audiences.  
2. Have a great news sense, with the ability to communicate and drive stories that people will want to share on social media and other platforms, including by using audience data to inform decision making. 
3. Excel at planning, organising and managing teams and multi-tasking, with the ability to anticipate security risks and future coverage needs while pivoting quickly when news breaks.  
4. Place a special focus on working closely with visual journalists to ensure the company’s coverage of these formats serves the needs of AP’s global customers.  
5. Identify and grow talent in the region, support career growth, look for training opportunities and inspire the team.  
6. Pursue innovative and inclusive coverage that maintains AP’s standards for integrity and objectivity.  
7. Develop good working relationships with authorities across the region to help ensure safety of staffers, resolve bureaucratic and logistical issues and develop strong news sources.   

Required Qualifications:  

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, such as at least 10 years of full-time experience leading and managing a beat team, department or newsroom at a daily newspaper, broadcast station, online or digital news outlet, or a bureau, subregion or regional desk. Experience covering the Middle East is a strong advantage.
2. Authorisation to work in Israel will be mandatory.  
3. Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English, and professional competency in Arabic and/or Hebrew. 
4. Strong interpersonal, organizational and planning skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects across formats and deliver success on complex story lines.  

Preferred Qualifications: The news director for Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan must have demonstrated excellence as a newsroom leader, with a deep record of innovation and successful change management, as well as experience guiding reporters, editors and producers to deliver stories about complex issues in clear and engaging ways. Applicants must be able to support, guide and motivate inside a multi-format newsroom, and have experience reporting on and managing in volatile security situations. They must be able to coordinate and communicate effectively with AP staffers throughout the company and AP customers worldwide.  
  

We will consider strong candidates who do not meet every listed qualification. You may use a cover letter to describe the unique qualifications you would bring to this role.  

  
Application deadline is March 6, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

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.